The two boys answered some questions from the police down at the station. Both of their minds were elsewhere though. Mitsuji was still pondering what Nagai was hiding; was he somehow personally invested in this whole mental escapee incident? Mitsuji couldn't think of any reason how the two could be linked.
When they exited the station, they were greeted by Edgeshot. "Both men have been detained in Tartarus due to their volatile Quirks. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to the prison for interrogation. Come to the agency and I will drive you there. Dismissed." Edgeshot spoke. Both boys bowed. Edgeshot smiled wryly. "You did good kids. You did good." He then departed. Nagai and Mitsuji both decided to head to the nearby train station to go home. On the train, they sat in silence. Mitsuji was the one to break the silence.
"N-Nagai-kun…is everything alright?" he spoke timidly. Nagai snapped out of a daze, then looked at Mitsuji and smiled. "I'm…fine. Look I know I lost control back then. Clearly, I have some stuff to work on. But trust me, there's nothing to it! We should just focus on tomorrow. Make sure you get some rest okay?". It was perhaps the most manufactured response he'd ever given, but Mitsuji decided not to press the matter today. They both waved and departed their separate ways at the station. "Something is definitely up with him!" he resolved, planning how to sort this issue out.
Meanwhile, in the Okayama Prefecture…
Daichi Hisekawa and Kuroi Niriyama were not getting on well. As they were walking to the Best Jeanist Agency, the heavy rain only served to enrage Kuroi.
"This bullshit weather is almost as bullshit as your attitude damnit" he kicked a pebble while exclaiming, and a young couple with an umbrella looked at him shocked.
"…The fuck you looking at idiots?" he growled and they walked on quickly.
Daichi sighed. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he spoke and just walked faster.
"Huh? Shit-for-brains, like you're one to talk! If I'm a clown you're the whole circus." Kuroi spoke off-handedly.
"I'm not going to stoop to your level fool. Just keep quiet." Daichi said.
"Huhhhh!?" Kuroi spoke intimidatingly. Daichi just started to ignore him for the rest of the walk.
They arrived at the Best Jeanist Agency shortly after, and sheltered themselves from the rain promptly. At the reception, Best Jeanist greeted them. "Hello young heroes. I am Best Jeanist, the No.3 Hero, and I pride myself on that, as well as my fashion sense. Did you know I won the Best Jeanist award for the last 9 years now? Yes…. you see fashion and heroism are linked at the core…"
He was cut off by Kuroi. "What…the hell are you even talking about?". Not missing a beat, Best Jeanist wound some threads around Kuroi's arm. "What the hell man!?" he yelled.
"Quiet. I hate impertinent brats like you the most. Part of the reason I accepted you was to try and fix this attitude of yours. We're sparring. Now." he snarled and released Kuroi. Kuroi grinned. "Works for me." They started towards the training area. Daichi was already tired. "God give me strength…".
Kuroi and Best Jeanist faced each other a few metres apart. Kuroi released four tentacles and stared at Jeanist. Best Jeanist wound some fibre up in retaliation. Daichi was refereeing.
"Okay…begin or whatever" he mumbled, and immediately Kuroi ran towards Best Jeanist. The Pro Hero shot some thread which wound itself round one of Niriyama's tentacles. Niriyama abruptly stopped, then pulled Best Jeanist towards him with the tentacle. The two tentacles on his other side intertwined into a spear and he shot them towards the incoming Best Jeanist. "Predictable!".
Niriyama pierced his opponent right in the stomach. Or at least this is what appeared to have happened. Instead, he had pierced some fibre reinforcing Best Jeanist' stomach. The fibre contracted around the tentacles. Kuroi tried to pull them out but they were lodged in there. "FUCK" he yelled, and then Best Jeanist wound his fist in threads like a weight, deftly hook punching Niriyama. He blacked out instantly.
Kuroi came to with an ice pack on his head as well as a wet towel. He felt dizzy and got up from the sofa he was on, to see he was in Best Jeanist' meeting room. Daichi and Best Jeanist were sat looking at a monitor, and noticed him.
"Good. You're awake. Come sit down here." Best Jeanist indicated towards a chair beside him. Kuroi muttered under his breath but complied.
"Right. Here's our objective; There's been a case of serial arson attacks within this prefecture. We at first believed it to be this man." Best Jeanist removed a picture off a gaunt faced man with dark blue hair. "He calls himself Dabi – and he's a high-ranking member of the League off Villains. But these attacks aren't consistent with his Modus Operandi; or rather, Dabi was indiscriminately attacking small gangs to remove their presence from the streets. This attacker is targeting influential politicians. Furthermore, the scorch marks and body composition aren't consistent with Dabi's flames. We believe this is a new villain, but also a very dangerous one." Both students were listening intently.
Best Jeanist continued "We don't know if this is also a League of Villains member. But we can't rule out the possibility. All CCTV footage has been wiped of any attack spot. However, we had a scout provide some recent intel that points to an Abandoned Warehouse in the nearby area. Our mission is to scope this area out. It is highly unlikely that the aggressor will still be here, but it is best to use caution. I believe this will be good experience for you; at the same time, I chose you two because your attitudes caught my attention." He motioned towards Daichi. "Don't think I've forgotten about you. While not the same as Niriyama-kun, there's also some worrying things I've noticed from the tournament about you." Daichi didn't respond but stayed focussed on Best Jeanist.
"All right. We'll depart in an hour after lunch. Please prepare accordingly. You are dismissed." Best Jeanist commanded, ushering the students out of his office. Both boys steeled themselves for the mission.
"Niriyama. We're going to have to work together effectively…" Daichi started. "I know! I know…" Kuroi spoke quite calmly, but then fell silent. It was clear some issues would need to be worked out.