This is the start of my internship... And god do I feel like a nervous wreck...

I hold the suitcase with my hero costume inside tightly as I stare in awe at the towering building in front of me. A giant "E" with flame decals and a steady glow that resembles fire sits above the entrance. If Endeavor wanted this building to be as intimidating as him, it certainly worked. I take a deep breath in as I walk towards the front doors, and continue a train of thought I had left alone earlier.

Even if I changed my mind and decided that I wanted to become a hero, there's not much I can do to clear my criminal record. The only thing I can think of right now is to do something so heroic they have no choice but to pardon me.

My eyes scan the first floor, which is a busy and crowded lobby.

But be realistic. There's nothing I can do that'll pardon my actions. Well, maybe I could be a vigilante. I could help and save people, but I'd still be wanted by the police. Although that wouldn't be the ideal situation to be in. You win some, you lose some I suppose...

"Oritsu. There you are."

I turn around to find Todoroki. He's in his hero costume and I can't help but notice the hint of relief in his voice.

"Hey, Todoroki. Do you mind showing me where to go? This place is huge."

He nods and I follow him. We make our way to an elevator as he glances at me.

"Just so you know, my old man will most likely want to ask you a few questions before we get started."

The elevator dings and we walk in.

"Oh yay, I love being interrogated."

Todoroki suppresses a grin as I smirk.

"So what kind of work will we be doing?"

He shrugs a little.

"I don't know. I assume we'll just be doing patrols, but he said something about going to Hosu city. And I apologize beforehand. He's harsh with criticism."

I nod as the elevator comes to a halt and the doors slide open. My feet freeze in place as the tall and muscular figure of Endeavor stands just outside the elevator, flames emitting from his shoulders and face.

"You're late, Shoto."

His voice is deep and slightly angry as he crosses his arms and glares at Todoroki. I feel like I'm intruding on a private conversation as Todoroki glares back at him.

"I was waiting for Oritsu."

Endeavor narrows his eyes as he shifts his gaze to me.

"You are Tazuma Oritsu, correct?"

My left shoulder tingles for a moment as I stare at the fire surrounding his face. And his eyes... His cold, glaring eyes filled with so much hatred...

"Well?"

He says impatiently.

"Yes, Sir."

Endeavor turns around and starts walking down a hallway. Todoroki and I catch up as the elevator closes behind us.

"Shoto can show you around. Afterward, meet in the training room."

He takes a glance at Todoroki before walking into a room with a big and fancy door. Endeavor almost slams the door shut as Todoroki sighs and I turn to him.

"This ought to be exciting. So you're gonna show me around?"

I ask. He nods.

"Yeah."

We start walking again and we take a turn, as Todoroki starts pointing things out to me. I try to pay attention because I know I'm going to have to remember them, but my mind drifts elsewhere.

If we really are going to Hosu city like Todoroki mentioned, would we by any chance end up trying to find the Hero Killer? His name has appeared in the news recently and I can't exactly say that I remember him from his past murders. Back when I first heard of him, I felt excited that someone whose beliefs are similar to mine was making a statement in the world. He's going the wrong way about it that's for sure, but he is correct in a lot of ways. Before I came to U.A, I just assumed all heroes had nothing but money on their minds, but now I think I know better. Yes, the majority of pro heroes, and especially today's heroes think of the glory before the lives of innocent people, but that doesn't mean truly good heroes don't exist. Of course, it's about as easy as finding a needle in a haystack, but you get the point. But thinking back to what I asked myself earlier, would I really be able to become a hero? Let alone a vigilante?

I-I still don't know if I'll be able to just stop being a villain though...It just feels weird to me...Sometimes I hate it and want to do something worthwhile with myself, but when I'm actually committing crimes, I get this unique thrill and adrenaline that I don't get from anything else... Yet once I get it, it's almost always over too quickly. And rarely ever worth it in the end... And on top of that, even if I did leave the League of Villains, that would just make me a target for the Yakuza and before you know it, I'm back in that cold white room with O-over...H-haul...

I shake my head discreetly, trying not to shudder thinking about that man.

T-to simplify it, it wouldn't be a wise choice to try and convert myself to heroism now. It's too late to go back anyways...

I ready a fighting stance in one corner of a mat as Todoroki does the same in another corner. Having changed into my hero costume, I roll my shoulders backward as I smirk at Todoroki, ready to brawl. Clenching and raising my fists, Endeavor watches us from a distance.

"Begin."

Jumping into action, Todoroki shoots an ice blast towards me, but I block it. Turning my hands to polar bear paws, I duck as he shoots another ice blast. I bring myself to a halt as I sweep him from underneath his feet. He hits the floor as I stand up. I try to kick him again but he dodges and creates a stream of ice from his hand aiming for my left side. I sidestep away from his stream of ice as he stands and puts his hands up. Striking his shoulder, he dodges and coats my right hand in ice. Thinking quickly, I swerve around and punch his ribcage as fire sizzles from his left hand. The ice cracks off of my hand as he retaliates and ducks from my left-hand punch, sweeping my feet. I avoid a third ice blast as I thrust myself forward and knee his stomach. He tetters backward but soon steadies himself as I aim for his head with a high kick, but he blocks just in time and covers his elbow in ice. He pounds his elbow into my shin as I hit the floor. I soon steady myself as I jerk forward, but he predicts my move and with a swift kick to the chest, he launches me off the mat. Groaning in pain, I realize I'm out of bounds. I stand up straight and give Todoroki a thumbs up with a smirk on my face. Endeavor scoffs and crosses his arms as my smirk fades and my hand falls to my side.

"That was lousy. You had little form and no strategy. Throwing wild punches hoping that something will happen is not a valid fighting style. If you had gotten proper training, you might be a worthy match for Shoto."

I clench my fist as I bite my tongue to keep my mouth shut. Todoroki ignores his father's criticism as he walks over to me.

"Good fight."

"You too, Todoroki."

Endeavor walks towards the exit as he turns his head at Todoroki.

"Meet me in my office, Shoto."

I watch as Endeavor leaves the training room. Todoroki heaves a sigh of relief as he walks over to a bench with a water bottle. I notice that parts of my ponytail have come undone as clusters of strands block my vision. Todoroki takes a swig from his water bottle as I undo my ponytail. Combing out my grayish-blue hair with my fingers, I pull the hair tie over my wrist. I pull my hair up again and tie it off. Now with my hair out of my face, I follow Todoroki as I swing my duffel bag over my shoulders.

"Why do you think he wants to see you?"

I ask as we walk out of the training room. Todoroki shrugs his shoulders as we walk down the hall.

"I'm not sure. If you want, you can get something from a vending machine. I think there's one nearby."

"Alright. Don't die in there."

He walks into Endeavor's office and closes the door behind him with a grimace. Sighing, I look around.

I don't think he pointed out a vending machine...Whatever, I'm not that hungry right now anyway.

I hear Endeavor begin speaking to Todoroki through the door, and I can't help but get the urge to listen in.

Old habits die hard.

Gently pressing my ear against the door, I hook onto their conversation.

"So tell me Shoto, how long have you known Miss Oritsu?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Answer me."

"Since school started. But what's the point of asking?"

"I hope you will understand what I have planned for you, Shoto. Because I don't want you to just surpass All Might. There are other things I want you to accomplish."

"Like what?"

"I want you to strengthen our bloodline. Making the next generation stronger is a very important goal. Imagine the possibilities of your child's quirk if you married. Of course, it depends on your partner's quirk as well, but you understand."

"I don't understand. Why is this relevant?"

"Miss Oritsu's quirk is very powerful don't you think?"

"Of course, but that doesn't answer my question."

T-Todoroki thinks my quirk is powerful...?

"You fail to see what I'm getting at, Shoto. As you get older, you'll need to continue the Todoroki bloodline and quirk. I'm bringing this up because now, while your at U.A is the perfect time to build connections. That's what I want. I personally think Miss Oritsu and Miss Yaoyorozu are excellent candidates for you."

I hear nothing but silence as I suppress the urge to gag. Just the sheer audacity this man must have to say something like that. He reminds me of my own father in the way that they have no interest in anything that doesn't benefit their selfish desires. Todoroki finally speaks up with an angry tone. It certainly made him mad.

"Why would you say that? Oritsu's just a friend and nothing else, the same with Yaoyorozu. And besides, I'm not interested in dating anyone nor do I think it's necessary for that to even come to mind now."

Endeavor grumbles something as I hear a chair scrape across a wooden floor.

"I think we're done here."

Todoroki says coldly. Panicking for a minute, I realize that if I don't move, I'll get caught. I quickly separate myself from the door and hide behind a corner. The office door clicks and I assume Todoroki has walked out as he sighs. I pull my phone out from my duffel bag and pretend to look at it as I walk towards him.

"What did he want?"

I ask as I put my phone away. He shakes his head.

"It doesn't matter. Are you hungry? There's a soba vendor a few floors down if you haven't already eaten."

"I'm fine with getting food if you want some too."

He nods as we walk down the hallway, and into the elevator. After selecting a floor, we stand in awkward silence as I think about their conversation.

I can't believe his own dad would say that! It's disgusting to think he would want that much control over his son's life! He's his own god damn person with his own life and can do whatever he wants with it! Who cares about who he marries or if he has kids? It's his choice, not his dad's! God, I hate Endeavor even more now...How did Todoroki put up with him for so long? It takes a hell of a lot of patience that's for sure...

"Hey, Todoroki. I have to tell you something..."

He turns to me, the tiniest hint of fear in his eyes as I take a deep breath.

"I have a habit of eavesdropping. I know it's an awful habit, and I did it at the sports festival while you were talking to Midoriya, and I did it as Endeavor was talking to you."

His eyes widen as I start getting worried and face him directly.

"Listen, I know It's rude to eavesdrop and I'm sorry but I just want to say a few things. One, don't you dare let Endeavor control your life. You are your own person and I find it disgusting that he would want that much control. Do what you feel you want to do, not what he wants you to do. You might already think that and don't need me to tell you, but I also want to say that I'm very sorry about what your mother did to you..."

I suddenly feel a dozen more truths about to slip from my mouth. The truth about how I know how it feels to be hurt by a guardian who is supposed to care for you, and how it feels to be mistreated throughout your childhood. I swallow hard, deciding that now's not the time. No matter how badly I want to tell him. To tell someone...

"...Yeah. If you need someone to talk to I'm free anytime."

Todoroki stares at the floor before gazing at me with a comfortable expression.

"Thank you, Oritsu."

I sigh in relief as I give him a grin.

"No problem."

"Although you should probably stop eavesdropping on people."

We both chuckle a little, albeit a bit nervously as the elevator dings.

"One cold soba, please. Oritsu, what do you want?"

I stare at the menu in front of me as a man working at the soba vendor waits patiently.

"I'll take the spicy miso with soba noodles. Thanks."

The man nods as turns to get to work on our order. Todoroki and I move out of the way as other people order as well.

"Who would've guessed there was a whole cafe in this place..."

I watch as some people eat and work on laptops or phones calmly at tables and others stand in line at other vendors, hoping to get some food. They all look like hard workers and some of them appear to be sidekicks or trainees.

"It was put in so the people working here would have easy access to food. The soba vendor is my favorite one, to be honest."

I nod.

"My aunt makes some pretty good soba at home. She tried to teach me, but I always did something wrong. I couldn't work a damn stove to save my life."

A grin pulls at Todoroki's face but he remains almost expressionless as he stares out at other things.

"Oritsu, have you ever-"

"Mr. Todoroki! Your soba is ready!"

We walk over to the soba vendor as the man hands us two bowls filled with delicious looking soba and chopsticks. In Todoroki's bowl is a cluster of noodles with three ice cubes around it and a small bowl of rice. In mine, soba noodles float in a pool of spicy broth with slices of meat on the side along with cubes of tofu, bonk Choy leaves, and spices seasoned over it. I take a deep breath as I inhale the spicy aroma.

This smells awesome...

"And because you're the son of our boss, this is on the house! Although you'll have to pay for the lady."

I nod as I rummage for my wallet in my duffle bag. Todoroki shakes his head.

"Let me pay."

Glaring at him, I bring my voice down to an intimidating level.

"Not gonna happen, peppermint head. It's my food, I'll pay for it."

His eyes widen a bit as he hesitantly nods.

"A-alright."

Placing the money on the counter, I put my wallet away and gently pick up my soba as we walk towards a table. Sitting down, I click my chopsticks together as I glance at a slightly wide-eyed Todoroki.

"Sorry about that. I just didn't want you wasting your money on me."

I laugh inside my head at my own insult as he lifts his head up and looks at me with a slight grin.

"It's fine, Oritsu."

I grin back at him. I take a bite of my spicy soba as Todoroki starts eating his cold soba.

Isn't it kind of interesting how we got opposite things? He got something cold, and I got something hot?

Nibbling on the tofu, I make a realization.

Why have my thoughts been so poetic lately? I don't have to look so deep into everything. And it's not like everything has some cryptic or creepy message.

I try to hold in a chuckle.

It's kind of funny in a way though. How I somehow manage to get into these deep thoughts no matter where I am or what I'm doing, or how I go on a limb and divert from my original train of thought. Like how when I first met Mina, I kept thinking about what to do if I needed to apprehend her. But I've gotten used to her by now.

"I've noticed that you have a scar on your shoulder. How'd you get it?"

I wasn't paying attention when Todoroki asked this question, and I accidentally said something when I should've kept my mouth shut.

"Endeavor..."

"What?"

My eyes widen as I frantically turn to Todoroki, his face confused and concerned.

"I-I meant that it was from a campfire incident when I was younger."

"But why did you say 'Endeavor'?"

I struggle to think of an excuse. I'm worried this will lead him to connect the dots about who I really am, and that's something I don't want to happen.

"I was thinking about what he told me after we fought in the training room! I was just lost in thought, it's not a big deal I promise."

"Then why are you so worked up about it?"

My heart thumps loudly in my chest as I pause

Oh shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit...!

"I-I don't know. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. Is it another habit of yours to zone out like that?"

I start to calm down as I turn back to my soba, trying to look calm again. Even though my hands are trembling a bit.

"I guess you could say that."

I laugh lightly.

"And I suppose it's also a habit of mine to go back and forth in my head. Like I'll make a choice then go back and forth between it and something else. But it only happens with serious stuff."

Lifting my bowl to my mouth, I drink the leftover broth and set the bowl back down. Glancing over at Todoroki, I see that he's almost done with his as well.

That was close...I can't afford to fail now...Not after I've finally made more than one friend...And one I can relate to no less...These things are precious to me and I don't think I want to let go of it...

I keep my eyes peeled for trouble as Todoroki, me, Endeavor, and a few sidekicks patrol the dark streets of Hosu city. Wearing my hero costume, I feel like a professional. It's the second day of my internship with Todoroki, and I'm already tired and worn out. He wasn't kidding when he said Endeavor would be harsh.

I get why we're looking for the hero killer, but is it really such a good idea to bring Todoroki and I along as well? Sure I'm decent and Todoroki is beyond great with his quirk, but we're still interns.

It's nothing but silence and the sounds of a city at night as we walk. Looking around, I try not to sigh out of boredom.

"Any sign of trouble, Oritsu.?"

Todoroki asks as he glances at me.

"Nah. Although something's bound to happen soon. It just seems suspicious to me that we haven't seen anything yet."

Todoroki nods and faces ahead of him. Another long moment of silence passes as something buzzes. I look around as Todoroki pulls his phone out of his pocket.

"What is it?"

I ask as he taps on his phone screen. Endeavor questions this as Todoroki grabs my wrist and starts running, much to my surprise.

"Where are you going, Shoto?"

Endeavor shouts at Todoroki.

"My friend might be in trouble. Come on, Oritsu."

Nodding, I sprout wings and launch myself into the air, getting a birds-eye view of the area as I watch Todoroki run. Anxious about the situation, my eyes widen as I spot what looks like the hunched over hero killer in an alleyway with a bleeding Iida, and a struggling Midoriya. I don't waste a minute as I dive down to Todoroki, landing harshly on my feet.

"I saw Iida and Midoriya with the hero killer a few blocks this way!"

Todoroki nods as we start running faster.

"I'll meet you there, Todoroki!"

He nods as I leap into the air again, searching for that same alleyway, hoping it's not too late. A sudden stream of fire appears above a building, and I dive towards it, and sure enough, the hero killer is right there and Todoroki is standing across from him. He somehow managed to find a shortcut and get there before I did. Diving down, I aim my foot at the back of the hero killer's head but he dodges as I tumble to the ground. Standing up, I get ready to fight next to Todoroki. Midoriya smiles in relief at us.

"You really need to send more information next time, Midoriya."

Todoroki says. The hero killer grumbles as he runs towards us. Putting my hands up, I prepare myself for the next blow. Little did I know, that after this battle, a chain of unlikely events will reveal things about someone in 1-A who hardly spoke to me, or when they did, just got really angry. I was never expecting that text from Bakugo while I was being fixed up by the nurses, and maybe I should have known why sooner. After all, a lot of unexpected things happen to me.