Shinoki: ahhh, tysm! thank you for reading & reviewing, & i'm so glad you're enjoying this story (⁀ᗢ⁀) makes me so happy ~ ! ❤

Rynxenvy: haha it was super cute to write. they really are both too prideful o('ω')o , silly kids ~ i can't wait for their relationship to progress, too !

kaycblu: ahah thank you! i love writing Mineta interactions especially, it's just so funny to me ! Shoto interactions are also starting to become more enjoyable to write. the tension is starting to lessen for sureee (¯▿¯)

bbymojo: you're very very welcome ! Hotaru is definitely making progress, but you are absolutely right about her needing to accept herself and whatnot. i really enjoy writing Mineta and Hotaru scenes, it's honestly so funny and fun. and i'm very happy that you're liking the Shoto and Hotaru improvement. it's going more smoothly than i thought it would ahah, although they still have some ways to go. they are both so stubborn. wishing they would just hug already but ahh. and Daichi and Aizawa ❤ very important people in Hotaru's life \(^ヮ^)/ . love em ! thank you so much for reading and reviewing as always ❤

Ali Daisy: thank you ! ❤ i'm feeling completely stress-free now, and this was a much needed winter break ! unfortunately it's almost over already but oh well ~ haha ! it was a great festive season ! and i definitely giggled writing that part. poor Shoto !

jaffa3: tysm for reading and reviewing ! happy you're a fan ! ＼(≧▽≦)／ Aizawa is one of my favorite characters too. i can relate to him in so many ways lolol. hope you continue to enjoy this story!

Zdraco: they really deserve so much better, they've been through so much (╥_╥) but, the pain they've been feeling can't even compare to the joy that will come ❤ ! and yeah, that Endeavor is crude for sure. thank you for reading and reviewing (＾▽＾)

•○●○•

i did some sketches last week of Hotaru ~

i've been wanting to draw her for a while now. these are just expression sketches, not full body. i tried doing a full body but it just wasn't working so i'll do that later lol.

i tried to capture her villain and hero side ahah.

if you want to see, here's a link ;

cherryblossomx6 (dotdeviantart) (dotcom) /art/ Hotaru-Aihara-OC-BNHA-826568228

just remove the spaces and put a "." where you see the word "dot" and remove parentheses.

or if that's not working just look up my username on deviant art lolol.

•○●○•

Happy New Year ~ !

wishing everyone happiness and good health ❤

this is another pretty long chapter, aha.

i hope everyone enjoys it, and i apologize for any errors.

thank you all for reading !

(´ ∀ ` *)

❤•○●○•❤

Confrontation

❤•○●○•❤

From the moment she was born, her parents both cared for her lovingly. They played games with her and made her laugh, cooked her favorite meals made sure she had everything she needed always. She was happy and so were they. She was their prodigy. They were the best parents and she was the best daughter, until she hit the age five.

Her fifth birthday was the day she and her parents were looking forward to. It was the day her quirk would manifest. However, it never did. Her mother started to grow resentful as the days went by, often ignoring her existence. It didn't take long for her to become abusive towards her. She often threatened her, and more often attempted cut her open with her favorite knife.

On the other hand, her father never lost his faith in her. He waited patiently and remained the same loving father he's always been. Every day he smiled at her and was always happy to hear her daily stories. He was nothing but nice to her and he protected her from her mother's abusive ways. That's the only reason she survived her younger years.

Her father was her favorite person. She admired him and was always so thankful for his existence. She loved him more than anyone else. Life without her father is something she couldn't imagine. It was like he anchored her to this world. But, just like her mother, she started to see him less and less.

It wasn't uncommon for her to be left home alone. She remembers it vividly—that dark and decrepit apartment. Cobwebs were hanging in every corner and broken glass was scattered about. It was an unseemly home, but it was her home.

Once she was left alone for three days straight, and during those lonesome days she left her home for the first time. Her parents never told her what she could and couldn't do around the house, and they never told her to stay indoors. She was free to do whatever she wanted, and on that day she wanted food.

She wandered aimlessly, people on the streets ignoring her presence. Her unkempt appearance even back then made people keep their distance. People, unnerved by a child. It's laughable now that she's older and reflecting.

It didn't take long for her to come across the park she now holds near and dear to her heart. The greenery attracted her, mainly the fully bloomed wisteria tree. The color and smell was endearing. She's embarrassed to say she's never seen fish with her own two eyes before that day.

The moment she saw that rippling pond full of many colorful fish sent her into a state of euphoria. Their flowing fins and bright colors, how they made the water ripple and how the sun made their scales sparkle. It was dreamlike. In that moment she forgot about her hunger.

She remembers running up to it in wonderment, passing by a park ranger who was sitting in the grass and about to eat his lunch. Whether it was because she was alone or merely interested in the fish, she doesn't know why that park ranger spoke to her. He stood up and walked over to her, asking a single question.

"Do you like fish?"

She remembers responding with;

"What the heck's a fish?"

That day she learned what fish were, and she learned the park ranger's name. Daichi is his name. He ended up giving her his lunchbox. At the time she didn't know why, but she didn't turn it down. She had to have looked sickly to prompt him to do that.

It must have been around a few months later when she met Shoto. As if it was just yesterday, she can recall how they fed the fish together daily and went on countless adventures. On a few rare occasions, his mother took them to a nearby ice cream stand. She envied his mother, wishing her own was as kind and loving as she.

She had a kind smile and equally kind eyes, but like Shoto's they always had traces of sadness deep within them. It made her sad too. So, she always tried to make them smile at least once whenever they met. She was pretty good at that. Her stupid, childish, and bubbly personality back then could do much more than her current one.

Sometimes she misses that side to her. When she was unaware of things around her and blind to the obvious, it was much easier to be happy. She hardly ever worried, now she worries constantly. She became aware, no longer blinded. She started to want things—things she couldn't have. What were those things?

Friendships, happiness, love, and to be a hero… those are some of the things. If she never met Shoto, she's sure she would never have been aware of some of these things. He sparked her hero dream and because of him, she experienced friendship and happiness. That's a feeling she could never forget. However, those things were torn away from her the night Endeavor managed to detain her.

Her and Shoto's friendship fell apart. Shattered like glass. That was the moment she was consumed by hatred towards him. Everything was his fault. From the moment she met him, her life slowly started to go downhill. Those seeds he planted within her were the complete opposite of what her parents planted. As a result, she was always battling a war within herself.

After the night her quirk manifested, she met up with her parents. That was the first time she seen such happy expressions on their faces. That was the first time the two of them looked at her with so much love and affection. Yet, those expressions she's been longing to see left her feeling empty. They didn't love her.

They only loved her quirk.

Although her quirk wasn't a combination of both of their quirks like they desired, it was even better in their eyes. She was prodigious. Unlike her father who can transform into lightning, she can generate and manipulate it. She can discharge it at will, shoot it out of her fingertips, surf across conductors, increase her speed by channeling it within herself… it was the perfect quirk to surpass her own father, and kill Endeavor.

That's right. That was her purpose. She was born and raised to carry out her father's legacy, to be his successor. She was to train daily for him and accomplish what he couldn't. She was his. She had to listen or die. Speaking of heroes, expressing her own desires, she knew better than to do that. Eventually, she forgot about such things. Being in the villain world made her forget so many things. Everything was dark.

They raised her to be a villain perfectly. She was led to believe that heroes were the evil in the world and that it was their fault she couldn't live normally. Her parents convinced her that they were being hunted like rats for no reason. She was stupid to believe it.

Every day she trained with her father while her mom watched. He helped her learn to control her quirk. She was doing everything perfectly and improving at a fast rate. Her training was rigorous, but he never pushed her too hard. Whenever she grew exhausted he let her rest and cared for her, like a pet. But, like an obedient pet, she loved him. She was unbelievably foolish. So, very, foolish.

Soon enough, the moment she was waiting for finally arrived. She was finally able to go outside with her parents and help them like she originally wanted. That night, she committed her first real crime. It wasn't anything she imagined. Nothing could have prepared her for it. Her father did most of the work, but he made her do the dirtiest part. That scene haunts her.

Beaten and bloodied, quivering on the concrete ground. A man was casually walking the streets, on his way home from work before her father attacked. Once he was beaten to the point he couldn't move, her father handed her a knife and said;

"Kill him."

She remembers just standing there, completely confused. Why did she have to kill that man? Why did he have to die at all? What… what was she doing? She had to do it though, because it was what her father wanted. This was the only way she could grow stronger to carry out his wish to end Endeavor.

She walked over to the man, gripping the knife tightly with both hands. It was raised over her head, glistening in the dark. She knew had to bring the knife down. She had to hurry, because her father was already walking away. He did that a lot. She was always quick to follow him, but she wasn't able to do it at that time. She couldn't bring the knife down. The dying man pleaded to her.

"Please… kill me… p-please…"

That man was looking at her desperately, hopefully, like she would save him somehow by killing him. She didn't understand. There were tears streaming down her face and she shook her head. He whispered again, only this time with a smile.

"H-help me…"

Those words were what made her bring the knife down and into his flesh. It felt disgusting. She felt disgusting. But, despite that, she found herself doing that same atrocious act, over and over again.

She was only doing what she was told. This is what she wanted, to help her parents. This is the only way she could get them to acknowledge her. She's grown used to following their orders. Taking lives, committing these many crimes, it was normal for her. She received many awards for her actions. She was becoming the best daughter.

Her parents were finally starting to love her as a person. She was happy with what she was doing. Those hurt people always cried out for her help, so she helped them with her father's knife. She was doing the right thing, that's what she truly believed. At the time, wrong was right to her, and right was wrong. She was being brainwashed and she didn't even know it.

Soon, she was able to act on her own. She didn't need her parents orders to commit crimes anymore. She was able to do whatever she wanted whenever she wanted. The amount of people she killed is unknown to her even now. However, she knows that number is far too big.

The last innocent person she remembers killing was different than the rest. This woman didn't cry out or plead to her, they only sympathized with her. She can easily remember their words and wrinkled face.

"I pity you, child. Going around taking lives and hurting so many, how could you live with yourself? You must not know what it's like to lose someone precious to you. You must have never experienced true pain. I pray that you experience these things. I pray that you live a long life—"

"You're being too loud. Shut up."

She cut that poor old woman off with those icy words, and made her scream in agony with her lightning. The life left that woman in an instant and she grinned wickedly, until she heard someone approaching from behind.

She was trapped in a corner. Turquoise eyes glared at her and she glared right back, gripping her bloodied knife tightly. His flames were even brighter at night. He called her beastly. He had some nerve to say that. Yet, he wasn't wrong.

"Endeavor…" She remembers laughing and twirling her knife, her eyes hazy as she grins. "You made this so much easier. I don't have to find you. I'll kill you now. Like my daddy wants. Like my mommy wants, too. Stay still for me!"

He gave her a strange, disgusted look as she ran forward. In an instant, he disarmed and restrained her. She tried to use her quirk but for some reason it wouldn't come out. She couldn't move at all. That was the first time she was ever frozen in fear. She kicked and screamed, begged for her life. It was a pathetic display and he made sure she knew that.

"A murderer like you begging for their own life is laughable. You're living in a false reality. If you continue on like this, there will be no future for you."

Like the idiot she was, she spat and cursed at him. Then, he left her there. All alone in the pouring rain. He spared her life and didn't take her into custody. That despicable man who was always hunting down her family spared her. For the first time in a long time, she thought of Shoto.

It wasn't until a few days later when she came across an interesting scene. It was a scene she would normally be involved in. She merely stared from afar and watched as a villain had a woman and child cornered. He was robbing them and was soon to kill them. She turned to walk away until the woman noticed her.

"Get away from here! H-Hurry! Run, or he'll get you too...!"

This woman, a complete stranger, was telling her to run. She was concerned for her safety. She only continued to stare at the sobbing woman, and the villain turned around and looked at her. Of course, the villain knew just who she was and continued with his malicious acts, unworried. She was a villain just like he was.

"Don't you touch my daughter! No!" The woman cried out as the villain grabbed her young daughter with a nasty smile. Like the protective mother she was, she fought desperately to save her daughter, but it was futile. "N-No! God, someone, help, p-please…! Save us!"

This was the first time she saved someone.

She can't recall what she was thinking at the time. If she's being honest, she doesn't think she thought of anything. Her body moved on its own. She crept up behind the villain as silent as a stalking cat, and jabbed her knife deeply into his side.

"What the hell are you doing?!" The villain roared, and her eyes enlarged. That was a good question and she didn't know the answer to it. She was caught in a trance even when he turned and backhanded her across the face.

She fell backwards, landing on her bottom. The villain fell too, his fatal wound already suffocating the life out of him. Her entire body trembled, and she froze entirely when that woman called her something. It was the one thing she was told she couldn't be, but what she wanted to be. It was something she forgot in the shadowy world she was trapped in.

A hero?

Something in her snapped. Or, perhaps a better way to describe it would be melted. No, not that either. Shed. This is the only time you'll ever catch her comparing her existence to a bug. Like a cicada, she burst out of the shell she was trapped in—the shell her parents molded around her.

As a result, she went home earlier than usual that night. She went straight into her room, closed the door behind her, and stared off into space. She was fully aware of everything she's done. The feeling of her knife tearing into many different kinds of flesh, so many lifeless eyes and fearful expressions, she remembered it all. All of those things were trivial when she committed those crimes, but in that moment…

She screamed at the top of her lungs and knocked everything off her desk, threw her lamp at the wall, flung her bed sheets to the ground, then found she the koi keychain Shoto gifted to her. It calmed her down, but made her wonder how disgusted he would be with her now. She was starting to remember how to feel again. She missed him.

Time continued to roll by, and she started to become lazy and uninspired. Remorse was eating away at her. If emotions could kill, she would've been dead. Her father grew concerned about her and questioned what was eating away at her. So, she asked him;

"Why do we do what we do?"

He answered;

"To get back at the heroes who ruined our lives, such as that rotten Endeavor."

It was an interesting answer. So, she asked another question.

"What makes a person rotten?"

"Those who meddle when not needed."

Yet another interesting answer.

"Then, aren't we rotten too? We kill people and they don't even ask for it. Good guys and bad guys, aren't we considered the bad ones?"

"For people like us, murderers, there's no such thing as good or bad. Taru, are you having doubts?"

"No. If there's no such thing as good or bad, that makes things even more fun~!"

That was the first time she lied to her father. She was having doubts. Major doubts. After escaping from the shell she was trapped in, her mind has been swarming with all kinds of thoughts.

For the first time, she didn't believe her father's words. They didn't make sense to her. What he views as right and wrong, it's all circumstantial. This entire time, was he truly making excuses for doing such cruel acts? And she was stupid enough to believe him? She was starting to get angry.

She was wavering back and forth, like a teeter totter. Her father's beliefs never matched up with her own. Are her beliefs circumstantial too? Is that the case with all beliefs? But, the real question is, what beliefs are most praiseworthy.

However, she couldn't ask her parents that. They would just tell them their beliefs which is all she's ever known and lived by. They would just feed her more lies, and everything was somehow tied to Endeavor.

Endeavor this. Endeavor that. He ruined their lives and as a result they are constantly moving and only active at night. What was the big deal with Endeavor? Why did Endeavor spare her? Why did Endeavor… make Shoto cry? He was supposed to be a hero, right? Heroes are supposed to be the greatest.

One night she walked brazenly into a luxurious skyscraper. It was Endeavor's Hero Agency. She went over to the counter and demanded to see Endeavor. The secretary tried to tell her she needed an appointment, until she threw a fit and flashed her quirk. It wasn't long at all until she was face to face with the 'rotten' hero.

She sat in his office and he towered over her. Their eyes glared at each other and his flames danced in the air. She slowly raised her finger and pointed at him, and he was ready to take her attack down. However, she attacked with words rather than her quirk like he thought.

"What makes a person rotten?"

He answered;

"Those who lie and deliberately harm others for fun. Villains are a prime example." His eyes narrowed, and her pointing finger dropped.

His response was much more comprehensible than her father's. That's when she understood that everyone's beliefs are merely what they think the truth to be. Sometimes supposed truths aren't how things are or what's meant to be. Endeavor brought her out of her thoughts with a question of his own.

"What do you think makes a person rotten?"

Ah, she was exactly right. What did she think? She was never asked what she thought. What did she believe the truth to be? She became fully aware that everyone in this world is a self-absorbed idiot in this moment. Good and bad, they clearly exist. Villains and heroes are proof of that. But, everyone views good and bad differently. Some ignore it, some have the two mixed up, while others seem to have it all figured out. She's part of the latter.

Rotten people are the ones who lie and toy with lives. Those who are unjust and force their beliefs on others. Those who pressure their own children to carry out their own desires. Those who view bad as good, and good as bad. Those who live… in a false reality. Oh. That's what Endeavor told her before. As if sensing that, he asked;

"Have you awoken yet?"

She started to waver when Endeavor spared her. He knew exactly what he was doing. Did he sense that she was incapable as a villain? Was he trying to take advantage of that and use her? Or, was he genuinely trying to save her? Thinking back on it now, she can confidently say he was trying to do all of the above.

Why did he have to be the one to make her crumble?

He was the one she had to kill. He was the one who made Shoto cry. He was the one she was supposed to hate. Now she's indebted to him. If he didn't let her live that night, say those words to her, or show her a rather dry kindness by answering her question, surely she wouldn't be here right now.

Why is that rotten man such a commendable hero?

They exchanged some more words. He told her of the hero world, the complete opposite of what the villain world she knew. The hero world felt so familiar to her. It was like she was being reunited with an old friend. Shoto and Daichi were part of that world. That was the world she wanted to be a part of. That world was the better one. She became angry, and so very sad. Tears streamed down her face, and she didn't even care. He deserved them.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"What will you do now?"

"I'm going to go home now. You can follow me if you want. You're a good hero, and I hope that you're a good father too. Shoto's lucky."

He smirked in accomplishment, and she walked home slowly that night, knowing she was being followed, knowing that her parents would be punished tonight, and knowing that she'll be all alone after tonight. She'll get her revenge.

They ruined her. They lied to her. She stupidly believed them. Because of them, she lost Shoto as a friend. Because of them, her hands are bloodied. She became a disgusting person tainted with so many sins, sins that are irredeemable.

She led Endeavor right to her home in secret. Just like that night years ago, her life forever changed once again. This was the right choice. That's what she believed. When Endeavor arrived at her home, she was so regretful.

Her mother was being held back by Endeavor's sidekick, while her father fought against Endeavor himself. She stood in the shadows and watched, her blood ice cold. For a moment, it looked like her father had the upper hand. He got cocky and let lowered his guard, then he was swallowed by flames.

She was an idiot. She doesn't know why she thought she would feel satisfaction at her father's defeat. Because, despite everything, seeing him in pain made her let out a bloodcurdling scream. She was feeling the pain of loss, and it made her nauseous knowing she caused this pain for so many. She tried to get to him, but her mother took her and ran at her father's command. Her father protected her even then.

That would be the last time she's seen her father in years. She thought he was dead. Her mom thought he was dead. Her mother was livid. She tossed her to the ground and screeched.

"You lead him right to us… Taru you rat!"

Her mother was always right when it came to her. She doubted her always, knowing she was a failure since the very beginning. That night, her mother pulled out a knife, and she was punished like her father.

For the next couple years, she lived separately from her mother. She lied low and stayed off the criminal radar. She often spent the night with Dabi, that lazy and boring villain. She was lazy and boring too, so they tolerated each other well and exchanged very few words.

She started feeding the fish again and talked to Daichi. She carried around her koi keychain and wished to meet Shoto again. She wanted to apologize to him, tell him he was right about villains, thank him for being the one to introduce her to the hero world, and be his friend again. With her father gone, and how her mother abandoned her, she could do just that. Well, only if her father was truly dead, she could've done that.

Her father found her. She thought he was a ghost, but the severe burn scars on his face told her otherwise. She started crying. Not because of relief or remorse, but fear. He started expressing his plans to her right away, completely unaware of the fact that it was because of her that he almost died.

He was more determined than ever, and the father she knew him as was long gone. He was so hooked on revenge that he abandoned that roll. It didn't take long for her to become trapped in that dark shell again, only this time, that shell was transparent. It was cracked and weak.

"You need to train harder than ever before, Taru. Look at these scars, make Endeavor pay for what he's done. We'll make his son pay for the pain he caused you, too. Remember his betrayal. Remember that night! You'll kill them and fulfill my wish!"

He was trying to plant more seeds of lies in her… not like it mattered anymore. She was able to think for herself now. She had her own beliefs and wants. Never will she be used by him again. She won't let him ruin her life further or take away anything else. She won't let him hurt anyone else, especially Shoto. When he mentioned her dear old friend, she became hooked on her own revenge.

Delusional bastard.

"Of course." She lied.

•○●○•

"I was their tool from the beginning, and like a tool they used me to screw in their heinous bolts. I grew to hate them through the evil acts I performed and regret. I was completely brainwashed. If it wasn't for Shoto, Daichi, and Endeavor, I probably would've never seen the light, or gathered the courage to stand against them." Hotaru murmurs. "When I enrolled here my main goal was to just get revenge on my parents. But, when I met Shoto again here, things got complicated. I had to work harder to protect him. Nothing turned out how I thought it would. My plan was… poorly put together. That pretty much sums it up."

Currently, she's fiddling with the cup of pens on Aizawa's desk. Some of them are pointing skywards and uncapped, so she takes the time to flip them over. It would be disappointing if he went to grab a pen and ended up marking himself. This task also serves as a great distraction from the multiple eyes boring into her.

"Anyways, I tried to keep this story as short as possible since it's so long and boring, not to mention tiresome to even think about. Betrayal, deceit, and my own stupidity..." She sighs, grabbing a pen and doodling on a blank sheet of paper. "Yeah. Well, it's not as bad as you guys probably thought, right?"

She waits for their response as she draws a simple smiley face on the white sheet. It's quiet even as she starts to draw another face. Blinking, she looks away from the piece of paper and at her teachers.

"It doesn't get any worse than that…" All Might's cousin whispers, his fingers curled tightly into his baggy pants and he stares harshly at the ground.

"I'm sure other people out there had it worse. Don't worry too much." She replies, setting the pen down and spinning around in her rolling chair. "Besides, I wanted to help them. The things I did were done willingly. I'm just as bad as they are."

"No." All Might's cousin instantly disagrees, his eyes meeting hers. "Young Aihara, please don't think that you've done those things willingly."

"Even so, it doesn't change the fact that I've done those things." She retorts. "I let myself be brainwashed and I was stupid enough to believe every word they said. I completely lost against them."

"You were a victim. You didn't let yourself be brainwashed, everything was forced upon you. Whether you win or lose, you can always come out ahead by learning from the experience. You've learned and overcome. You were able to escape from their clutches. To be able to do such things isn't an easy task, and that makes you nothing but the victor." All Might's cousin informs.

Hotaru looks away from him with much effort. She stares out the window and focuses on a blue bird perched on a tree. It ruffles up its feathers before flying off. She lets out a sigh, finding herself thinking very much differently than All Might's cousin.

"You're right. I learned, but I learned in the most gruesome way. I overcome, but I lost so much along the way. Maybe I did win as you said, but to me a win that resulted in me losing so much and me causing so much pain, well, it's meaningless. A meaningless win is no better than a loss." She argues.

"Aren't you just being hard on yourself at this point?" Midnight mutters, a troubled crease in her brow.

"Yeah—!" Present Mic starts to yell, until Aizawa speaks up.

"No." He disagrees in his sleepy voice. "Even though she's a victim, that doesn't simply erase the things she's done."

"Aizawa-kun—!" All Might's cousin begins in dread.

"Exactly." Hotaru cuts him off.

She stands from her chair and walks over to the large window. Her silver eyes take in how the many green trees dance in the breeze. Aizawa's words are exactly what she was thinking. Her lips curve upwards sadly. It's the unfortunate truth, and she's grateful for his straightforward personality. She has to be nothing but harsh on herself.

"I appreciate everyone's input, but Aizawa-sensei couldn't have said it better. What's done is done, and the past can't be undone." She says. However, she's caught off-guard when Aizawa adds on to his earlier words.

"Are you being hard on yourself for the right reasons?"

She turns away from the window and faces Aizawa with parted lips. The organ in her chest beats anxiously as she feels troubled. What is he implying? Is she doing something wrong? A crease forms in her brow.

"What do you mean?" She whispers in question, and of course the bell rings instantly after. Class is about to start, which means she has to leave. Aizawa turns away from her and focuses on his desktop, making her eyes narrow.

One thing that does annoy her about Aizawa is his tendency to leave some of her questions unanswered. It's just like after the combat training. He's leaving her with more questions and not giving her any answers. She's not going to go through that again.

"You are not going to leave me unanswered again." She glares at him, stomping over. "Answer me. Isn't it a hero's job to help someone in need? I'm in need of some answers here!"

"Sometimes you need to find the answers yourself. I'm not going to simply tell you what you should think or do. At this point I'm not being a hero, but rather a babysitter." He dismisses, and her jaw drops.

"A babysitter?" She repeats, her hair falling over her eyes. Is he calling her a baby? She feels insulted. "You know what. Fine. Answer this then; now that you know my story, does someone like me have the right to be a hero?"

He remains silent, not even looking her way. Her fingers curl into tight fists and her teeth grit. The anger she feels reflects in her eyes and she moves so she's in his line of sight. Midnight and Present Mic give her a chiding look at her villainous poise, while All Might's cousin coughs blood.

"Aizawa-sensei," She begins sharply. "I'm not going to class until you—"

Aizawa shoots her a glare with glowing red eyes, and before anyone can blink, Hotaru darts out of the room in fright. Present Mic follows after Hotaru, realizing the class that's about to start is the class he teaches. All Might adjusts the collar of his shirt with a sigh, looking at Aizawa with a small frown.

"You really won't answer her questions?" He asks.

"She has a lot of burdens, and she's also holding onto burdens that aren't her own." Aizawa mutters.

"Are you saying she takes the blame for…?" Midnight trails off, and Aizawa nods.

"I see." All Might's eyes widen in realization. "And because of those burdens, she's wondering if she can even become a hero." He frowns. "But, she's done a lot of admirable things too. Has she forgotten them? Or, is she viewing them as nothing?"

"If she's still doubting herself even now after everything, that's something she has to deal with." Aizawa sighs. "Either way, she'll figure it out and come to terms with herself eventually."

"You're so cold, Aizawa-kun!" All Might trembles, and Aizawa's eyes shut.

He doesn't think he's being cold, he just doesn't think he should keep having to put the puzzle together for her, especially this one. He told her once before she wasn't hopeless, he told her just earlier he was proud of her. What's the point of saying more things along those lines if she doesn't believe in herself?

•○●○•

For the remainder of that day, Hotaru is hopelessly lost in thought. She thought telling those heroes her story would help her organize her thoughts, not make them more scattered. How disappointing. She completely miscalculated.

Her last class is almost over, which is the Foundational Hero Studies class. This was supposed to be her favorite class of the day, but today's class could hardly be qualified as one. All Might didn't even show up, but Present Mic gave them a worksheet in his place and said they could spend the remainder of the day preparing for the sports festival.

Currently, she's the only one sitting in the room. Everyone else is supposedly out training really hard and taking advantage of on-campus locations to do just that. She should probably be doing that as well, but…

She stares at her opened notebook on her desk, tapping her pencil against it with a small frown. Her handwriting is scribbled across the lined paper. She was making a list of things to do before the sports festival, only to end up drawing a giant "x" across the whole list.

The purpose of the whole sports festival is to stand out for the pros. It's like standing in front of a fish tank. Naturally the customer is going to pick out the best-looking fish, and she's not that fish. She's that fish that swims upside down and acts all weird—the fish that nobody wants.

What hero would want her as a sidekick? An ex-villain who happens to be the daughter of Lightning Beast and Two-Face? A person with bloodied hands? The answer is simple; nobody will accept her. Her frustration starts to overflow. She was so determined earlier, now she's the opposite.

"This is all your fault, Aizawa-sensei." She grumbles. "Always making me… think for myself."

Saying that out-loud doesn't sound like it's too awful, and the muscle in her right eye twitches in irritation. It is awful. She thinks for herself all the time, and she only asks for his input on things she doesn't know the answer to. How dare he compare helping her to babysitting? Where's All Might? She wants to talk to him.

She wants to be a hero, but how could she possibly be one? Her sins and her parents' sins are somehow more heavier than before. Is it because she switched sides? What if everything is pointless? That cicada from earlier is still stuck to the window and its singing is still mocking her.

With a scowl, she grabs her notebook and flings it across the room. It hits the chalkboard with a bang right when Shoto walks in. He stands in the doorway with a blank expression, watching as Hotaru slumps forward against her desk. Her hair falls over her face as she groans and kicks her legs.

What a grouch.

He moves to step over her notebook to get to his locker, only to pause when something written on it catches his attention. It's his name on what appears to be a to-do list. "Thank Shoto." That's what's written on the very last line.

Thank him? He suddenly recalls their earlier conversation, and how she told him that she'll let him figure out why he's thankful. He claimed figuring it out sounded like a waste of time, but he already has a strong idea as to why she's thankful. Coming up with the answer was so effortless he didn't even have to think about it. Nevertheless, he really doesn't care.

"Aihara-san."

Hotaru looks up when someone says her name, and she nearly falls backwards at the beady eyes before her. He laughs in amusement and she brings her hand over her startled heart.

"Principle Nezu," She breathes out before narrowing her eyes. "Don't sneak up on me like that."

Just then, she notices that he's not the only one who entered the room. Shoto moves past them both to get to his locker. She only spares him the shortest of glances. It must be time to go home soon.

"I'm happy you're here." Nezu smiles, bringing his paws together. "Are you ready for your assignment?"

"My… assignment?" She tilts her head, furrowing her brows. "Isn't it almost time to go?"

"I should've known you have forgotten." Nezu sighs, shaking his head.

"Forgotten what?"

"Your detention."

"Oh."

She really has completely forgotten about her detention. The last few days have been completely insane that it has slipped her mind. How many detentions has she racked up? A week's worth? Her eyes enlarge. Wait. This detention will be taking up the already insufficient time she has before the sports festival. Suddenly, she wants to ram her head against the wall for her stupid actions that resulted in the punishment.

"Did you get my letter?" Nezu questions.

"Do you mean that map of school grounds?" She mutters, pulling that map out of her pocket. He nods and takes it from her.

He unfolds it with his adorable—no. He unfolds it with his ordinary paws. She watches silently and in confusion when he pulls out a highlighter and draws out a route. It's very long. Clearly this must be related to her assignment, and she's more than certain that this will be the strangest detention she has ever had.

"Here you go. This is the route you need to pick up trash along."

Pick up… trash?

"Hold on a second." She begins with a glare. "What kind of detention is this? I'm not a janitor."

Nezu doesn't say anything and merely smiles at her. It isn't a friendly smile, but one capable of making her grow pale. The sun from the window suddenly makes him look like a shadow, and she finds herself having a moment of déja vu. This is the same expression he wore when he threatened her with expulsion.

"I-I mean…" She swallows forcefully. "I love cleaning. I really live for these kind of things. I'll get to work right away."

"I'm happy to hear that, Aihara-san!" His eerie smile morphs into a happy one.

Shoto moves to leave the classroom with his bag, and Hotaru darts past him swiftly to escape from Nezu's intimidating gaze. The map in her hand is wrinkled from her tight grip and he looks off to the side.

What a pushover.

•○●○•

Hotaru walks down one of the many walkways on campus with a frown, dragging around a trash bag and holding onto a trash picker. Being stuck doing this is frustrating. However, what's even more frustrating is the fact that there's quite a bit of litter scattered about.

Are the aspiring heroes here really so irresponsible that they litter? She hopes the wind carried all this junk over from the city, but honestly that's no better. How could people just fling their trash around wherever they please? Is it really that hard to hold onto waste until they reach a trash can?

She picks up an empty soda can and places it in the large trash bag, moving to pick up some more litter she easily spots. How disappointing and utterly disgusting. These people responsible for this better hope they aren't caught in the act by her. They can expect to get an earful, and maybe even a good shock.

As she carries out this assignment golden hour approaches. The cool blue of the sky starts to morph into something warmer and the breeze becomes more apparent. She hardly pays attention to the beautiful scenery, too lost in thought once again.

Aizawa's words are on repeat in her mind, and she's trying desperately to put the pieces together to figure out the answer. She's unsuccessful and only having the same thoughts as earlier.

She sighs in frustration, dragging her feet from behind the school building all the way to the front. It's safe to say she's been walking around for around a couple hours now, and the bag she's pulling behind her has grown heavy. She's tired and she didn't even get halfway done with the route Nezu has drawn out.

"This is so exhausting." She breathes out, wiping sweat from her brow and gazing at the glistening ocean in the distance. She hopes that Nezu didn't expect her to get done with all of this by nighttime, and she hopes she doesn't get punished further for taking a break.

Placing the heavy bag of trash and her trash pick aside, she sits down on the brick pavement. She leans back on the heels of her hands and tilts her head skywards, soaking in the evening sun. It's insane how out of shape she is. She definitely needs to start training tomorrow, not just for the sports festival, but for herself.

She gazes at the peachy colored clouds and the breeze ruffles up her hair. There's no one but herself out here and it's quite enjoyable. Her fingers glide across the hard ground and she looks over at the sleek school building. She shouldn't lounge around for long. With those countless windows, she's sure she'll be spotted sooner or later.

As if on cue, she hears approaching footsteps. They are growing louder by the second as they grow closer, and she doesn't even need to look to know this person is heading her way. It has to be either Mineta or Kaminari judging from the direction. Her lips curve upwards and she looks over rather happily, only to nearly choke at who's really approaching her.

She stands up quickly, her smile fading instantly as she becomes guarded. Her jaw locks. Why is he here and heading this way? Realization dawns on her. The news broadcast. The whole country knows she's a student here, so it's only natural he would know too.

He comes to a stop before her, his much larger form towering over her. This is the first time she's seeing him face to face like this in a long time. He's been hunting her down for so long and now he's finally found her. She can't run and has no choice but to face him.

"Endeavor." She greets monotonously, folding her arms over her chest. "What brings you here? Campus is about to close for the night."

"You know why I'm here." He counters heatedly, and she lowers her arms.

If she's being honest, yeah. She does have a pretty good idea as to why he's here. He either wants to take her into custody or question her. She's sure he's very agitated about how her father is alive.

"It's about my father, right?" She whispers, gripping her skirt tightly.

"What you're plotting next." He corrects, and her eyes enlarge. He's glaring intensely at her and it makes her tremble the tiniest bit.

"What I'm plotting next?" She repeats, shaking her head in denial. "I'm not plotting anything."

"Was it your goal to make me look like an incompetent hero by faking your father's death?" He speaks harshly, and she grows pale.

Does he truly think she set him up back then? Her breath gets caught in her throat. Perhaps it really does appear that way, especially since she kept her mouth shut about her father still being among the living. However, she never meant things to turn out the way they did. She didn't mean to tarnish his reputation.

"That wasn't my intention." She whispers, and he counters instantly.

"Then why did you keep your mouth shut about it?"

She swallows thickly and redirects her gaze at the ground. Her nerves have skyrocketed and as a result she can't find her voice. She knows the answer to that question, and even if she could find her voice she's sure she can't bring herself to say it.

"Hmph." He grunts in amusement, smirking. "I guess it's partially my fault for listening to a villain."

"N-No." She disagrees with him. "I didn't speak up because I was scared. I thought I would be able to handle things myself, but clearly I was wrong. What happened at U.S.J. is proof of that."

"I have no reason to believe you."

"Then why ask?" She retorts, and his flames grow more intense.

"Because, even though this school has foolishly accepted you, you're still a suspect and I have the right to investigate. You're the daughter of that bastard villain. I believe you still have malicious intentions, and warning you is only one of the reasons I came here." He takes an intimidating step closer to her.

"I have already been warned countless times by the staff here, but, sure." She shifts her weight, having a hard time meeting his eyes once more. "Go ahead."

"If you touch Shoto or interfere with his studies, you'll severely regret it."

Little does he know… she's already touched and talked to him. She doesn't say that even though she knows that'll send him over the edge. She's too troubled. Clearly he thinks she's going to do something bad, and it's obvious he thinks she's going to harm Shoto. Does he not know how she saved Shoto, and how Shoto saved her?

"You don't need to worry about that." She says, feeling her anger starting to build up. "I'm not a villain anymore and I'm not here to cause any trouble. I'm here to become a hero. But, of course you don't believe that."

"A hero?" He repeats, having the nerve to chuckle. "Well, your father sure did a poor job at raising one. Not that I would expect him to be a good father regardless of his intentions."

Something in her snaps, and she's suddenly able to meet his eyes once more with a piercing glare. What gives him the right to say such a thing? He doesn't know anything. She knows her old man is an evil villain, but as a father…

Silver clashes against turquoise. His flames match the golden sky, and her expression matches the approaching dark night. Her nails are digging into her palms and she's trembling furiously. It's taking everything in her to not lunge at this man.

"You can say whatever you want regarding how evil of a villain my old man is. That's something you and I can both agree on. But, I don't think you have the right to judge his worth as a father. In fact, I bet you could've learned a lot from him. Don't you dare talk as if you are the best dad in the world. I'm not dumb. I may not know the details, but after seeing Shoto all these years later," Her teeth bare. "You're the worst possible man a child could have as a father."

"Right, you don't know the details. So, neither do you, a villain, have the right to judge my worth."

"Endeavor...!" She growls lowly, lightning forming in her palm. "You don't know the details either, so neither do you have the right! You're really starting to piss me off. What the hell do you really want? Or, did you just come here to provoke me?! If you're looking for a fight all you have to do is say so!"

He just stands there, gazing at her with a stupid smirk on his face like he's truly amused at her outburst. Oh, this brute. She wants to shock that smirk off of his face, but she already let herself slip too far. If she does anything to him she'll be ruining her already poor reputation. She needs to get it together, because clearly this is exactly what he wants.

She diminishes her lightning while holding her breath, counting to the number ten in her head. Her anger starts to quell although very slowly. If she compared Shoto to a gnat and herself to a cicada, Endeavor's a mosquito. A stupid, annoying, provoking, mosquito.

"What's going on out here?"

Hotaru looks over, and her eyes instantly glisten at the sight of Aizawa. He's standing there, looking between her and Endeavor leisurely. It's impossible to tell what kind of expression he's wearing due to his bandages, but… His eyes lock with hers and she gulps at their chiding glare.

"I came out here because of a virulent intent." Aizawa states, and she inwardly smacks herself. Was she showing her villain side? The side of her that she can't seem to get rid of?

"I'm here to question her about her father and herself. This is a case I've been trying to crack for years now. Perhaps I would have succeeded already if someone would stop resisting arrest." Endeavor points at her, and sweat trickles down her face.

"Then, shall we head inside? We can talk in the conference room." Nezu's voice suddenly joins in, and he reveals himself from Aizawa's scarf. Endeavor's eyes narrow, obviously against that. So, Nezu adds on. "Aihara-san is a student at U.A. and our responsibility. We released an official statement of her enrollment this morning and have been in contact with law enforcement. We are just as much involved in this case as you are."

"Tsk. Fine." Endeavor grunts, and Nezu smiles before looking at Hotaru.

"Before we head inside, Aihara-san." Nezu begins and her jaw locks. "You should apologize to Endeavor for nearly attacking him. You should respect pro heroes."

Her tempestuous silver eyes linger on Nezu for a few seconds before finally looking over at Endeavor. He's gazing at her straight-faced and waiting. However, it's quite obvious he wants to smirk. Very well. She'll apologize only for her own benefit.

She faces Endeavor and walks closer to him. Her eyelids drape over her eyes and she bows lowly with her hands clasped together. She'll use this opportunity sensibly.

"Endeavor," She begins delicately. "I apologize for misbehaving. Next time you insult my father, tell me who I can and can't talk to, and who I can and can't be like you're my father, I will hold my tongue." She straightens up with a smile. "I hope you can forgive me, hero."

Endeavor glares at her.

That infuriating girl!

Even in the conference room, he still continues to glare at her. This is his first time seeing her in person for years. She still has that villainous demeanor, but there is something different too. She's far more cunning, but what else is he detecting? There's no way this wicked villain is actually trying to be a hero. With her bloodied hands, her being a hero would be nothing but disgraceful.

She's up to something, and he has a strong feeling that something has to do with Shoto. His fingers curl into tight fists. If she tries anything at all, he'll make sure she regrets it. But, more importantly, why are these blasted teachers allowing her to attend this school?!

"Firstly," Endeavor begins, gazing at Hotaru from across the wooden table. She's sitting between Aizawa and Nezu, her taunting eyes gazing right back at him. "Have you been in contact with either of your parents?"

"No." She answers smoothly. "I haven't been able to contact either of my parents since I turned on them. My calls don't go through, and I don't have the slightest idea where they could be."

"Turned on them?" He inquires with narrowed eyes. Clearly he doesn't know about something major. "Explain."

"As you know the League of Villains attempted to kill All Might, which was the U.S.J. incident. My parents were in on it and wanted me to leak All Might's schedule, and I refused."

"Is that why you enrolled here? Because of All Might?"

"Honestly, I enrolled here without knowing why. I was kept in the dark. I could only assume. I was raised to kill you, so I figured it has something to do with you. When I enrolled here I met Shoto again, and that's when I started to suspect that he was a target. Turns out he was. My father asked me if he was a student here, and for Shoto's safety I lied and said 'no.'"

Endeavor's eyes widen at that. Lightning Beast and Two-Face had plans to target his son? His masterpiece? His teeth bare at that thought. Shoto was in danger and he didn't even know. This villain was protecting him? Impossible. She's answering his questions too easily, and he can't determine if she's lying or not.

"Why didn't you report this to the pros?"

"Like I said earlier, I was scared for my own life. I knew leaking information and lying to my parents would make them want to kill me. It took some time before I could gather the courage to cast that fear aside, and do what was right regardless of whatever would happen to me." She folds her arms over her chest.

Do what was right? What would this murderer know about right and wrong? He can't accept her words so easily.

"Are you sure it wasn't because you wanted to kill him yourself?" He questions with dark eyes.

Hotaru's complexion instantly grows pale, her irises shrinking while her lips part. He smirks to himself in accomplishment. He got her. There would be no reason for her to react like that if that thought had never crossed her mind. She's like a deer caught in headlights right now.

She lowers her eyelids, and a shadow is cast over her face. Aizawa and Nezu look at her skeptically, and her fingers grips at her blazar. She lets out an inaudible sigh.

"When I came here, I didn't have the best intentions. I was prepared to do whatever my parents asked of me, and I was prepared to betray them too, but when I seen Shoto it wasn't so simple anymore. I never had thoughts of killing him. However, I thought of hurting him multiple times." She admits. "I hated him, and he hated me too."

Endeavor's sense of triumph starts to grow as she speaks. Now she's being honest.

"But, I could never hurt him when the opportunity came. Even during our combat training, it was hard for me to fight against him." She adds on, making his thoughts come to a halt. "Ugh, I can't believe I'm saying this out loud, and to you of all people."

Her eyes reopen and stare into his seriously. They shine vigorously and sincerely, and her cheeks are rose dusted in what seems to be embarrassment. Confusion washes over him.

"I care about Shoto, and… that's all I'm going to say." She states, and his glare returns. "I will only go into more depth with Shoto personally."

"You are not to talk to Shoto!" He growls, standing up from his chair instantly. "I don't want my son to be involved with a revolting villain!"

Hotaru's eyes narrow the tiniest bit, and even though she wants to retort she holds her tongue. Despite her honesty and revealing that she was protecting Shoto, he still views her as a villain and wants her to stay away from Shoto.

He'll always view her as a villain just like everyone else because of her regrettable past. He isn't the only one who still views her as a villain. That title will stick around with her forever no matter what she does. It gets to her, and it's frustrating. Since when has she ever cared about people's opinions of her? Is it because in the hero world those opinions matter?

"That's enough." Aizawa suddenly speaks up, his voice scratchy. "I can tolerate your questions, but not you degrading my student. A pro shouldn't act so insolently."

Hotaru looks over at Aizawa with widened eyes. Her heart accelerates within her ribcage at his serious gaze and words. She brings her hand over her chest in her touched state, feeling moisture build up in her eyes as he continues.

"She has answered all of your questions truthfully. Her past is objectionable and can't simply be forgotten, but the heroic acts she's performed can't be forgotten either. She's already done a great deal of praiseworthy things, such as putting her life on the line to save her classmates more than once."

"How do you know she's not putting on an act?" Endeavor instantly counters.

Aizawa's eyes narrow in thought, and he remains silent as tension grows in the room. He's thinking. Goosebumps sprout out across Hotaru's skin as she becomes nervous. Her appendages tremble and she swallows forcefully. Suddenly, he answers, and she wants to punch him.

"For starters she's a crybaby who overreacts time and again." He answers easily, ignoring Hotaru's glare. "She's the hardest on herself out of all of my students, and I don't think she would've asked me to save her from her own parents if she was truly a 'revolting villain.'"

"That's right." Nezu smiles, nodding in agreement. He reaches over and pats the top of Hotaru's head, making her seethe. "Aihara-san has displayed her natural hero capabilities. She is an outstanding student."

"A reckless problem-child." Aizawa adds on drowsily.

"I believe Aihara-san will become a great hero, which is why I allowed her to enroll." Nezu says confidently. "If you're worried about your son's safety because of her presence, don't be. She is a student just like everyone else, posing no threat."

Endeavor's eyelid twitches in annoyance. How are these two so supportive of her? A villain can't become a hero. No matter how hard villains try to redeem themselves, they always go back to their villainous ways. You can't change who you are. But, fine. He's done here. If he stays any longer they'll grow more stupid in his eyes. He looks at Hotaru who has her head lowered so he can't see her face.

"If you come into contact with either of your parents, presumably Lightning Beast, contact me. I'll be sure to end him for sure this time." Endeavor leaves his card on the table after his demand, leaving with heavy steps. The door slams behind him and Aizawa lets out a sigh at his aggressive personality.

"...A crybaby? Why would you tell him that?" Hotaru whispers, making Aizawa look over at her. She's glaring at him with moisture swirling in her eyes.

"It wasn't a lie." He affirms.

"But, still…" She mutters, wiping at her damp lashes. "That's something I don't want people to know."

"Then stop crying so much."

"You are an emotional person, Aihara-san." Nezu says. "It's not a bad thing, so don't be disgruntled."

She can't remember being so emotional like she is now. Is it because she's allowed to feel emotions here? That she's surrounded by people who care about her, and people she cares about too? Whatever it is, it's so potent.

Despite how she is embarrassed by her own tears, it's not too awful. Even though she feels guilty at being a problem-child, if she's Aizawa's problem-child then she doesn't mind it. She finds herself smiling, overly thankful. They had her back, and so easily at that. It makes her realize she absolutely does have the right.

"Thank you for sticking up for me, Sensei and Principle Nezu. Thank you for your honesty, too." She looks over at them with a tender gaze. "I really, really, appreciate you guys a whole lot. You see things in me that I'm struggling to see, and believe in me more than I believe in myself. You saved me."

Aizawa's and Nezu's eyes widen when Hotaru stands from her chair with clenched fists. She's gazing at the ceiling with sparkling eyes, obviously determined. The smile on her face grows in size.

"I'm going to make it my mission to see what you see, and believe in myself like you believe in me. Regardless of what others think, I'm going to work hard to achieve my goals!" She faces them both and holds out her hands to them. "I know I can't erase my past, but I'm going to tip the scales and become a hero so great that it will be overshadowed. Please, watch over me! I'll try my absolute best."

"Yay!" Nezu cheers, placing his adorable paw in her hand. However, Aizawa merely stares at her. That's right. As he is now, he can't grab her hand. He's helpless. She smirks and moves closer to him, making him glare as realization dawns on him.

"Don't—"

"Too late!" She beams, capturing him in a hug.

~ Next Chapter Sneak Peek:

❤•○●○•❤

Reconnect and Connect

❤•○●○•❤

"We're supposed to act like we don't exist, remember?" Hotaru murmurs, gazing at Shoto with a small pout.

"Today, you exist." He states, slurping his cold soba nonchalantly.

She wonders why he would say that, and why he chose to sit at this small lunch table with her. It doesn't particularly bother her, but it's strange. There's no way he's doing this for old times' sake. She looks away from him while sipping her chocolate milk.

"Do you need something?" She mutters, and he pauses from slurping his soba.

"Was it obvious?"

"Completely."