Kyoka Jiro flipped the piece of paper on her clipboard back, revealing a brand new checklist of artists and album titles. She had only made it about a third of the way through the list after taking inventory all morning, and her stomach was starting to twist and gurgle as the clock inched closer and closer to noon. The spread of vinyl records before her seemed to all blend together as she fought back a combination of hunger, anxiety, and guilt. Three times already she had made an attempt to talk to her father, who was busy unboxing and assembling musical equipment on the other side of the show floor. Three times, he had refused to speak to her at all about the incident with the Yakuza collectors.

The gentle tinkling of the bell affixed to the door behind her made the hairs on the back of Kyoka's neck stand on end. Her hands began to tremble slightly as she imagined the charred face from the evening news waiting for her to turn around. The pen and clipboard jittered momentarily as the girl tried to get her nerves under control until finally, she closed her eyes and managed to still her fingers. Kyoka put a tight grip around the pen, angling the nib downward below her pinky as she mentally prepared herself to have to use it as a weapon. Before she lost the nerve, she whirled and put on an unreadable face, unsure of who or what she would find in the doorway.

"Hey there. Unfortunately, we're still closed for… a few…"

"Hi there!" Nejire Hado said enthusiastically as she gave the other young heroine a wide smile. She clasped her hands behind her short skirt, swaying from side to side as she looked over the open layout of the store. "Ooh! This place is so cool…"

Kyoka immediately flushed as she watched Tamaki Amajiki and Mirio Togata enter behind their friend and stand on either side of her. Words utterly failed Kyoka as she tried to think of what to say, so she simply leaned back into the countertop, her mouth slightly agape as she felt rather stupid.

"Hey," Mirio said softly as he walked forward and extended a hand to Kyoka. "Kyoka Jiro, right? Congratulations on making it into U.A. University!"

"I…" Kyoka began, her heart racing as she pocketed the pen to take Mirio's hand. "Thank you? But… what are you three doing here? I don't understand. The store is closed, and aren't you getting ready for the new year…?"

"We know," Mirio clarified as he gave Kyoka's hand a firm shake. He put on a smile that struck Kyoka as a little too enthusiastic, as though he was incredibly uncomfortable. "We came to help out, so you guys can open back up a little quicker. You've actually been on our list for a long time, but you know. Hero-ing gets busy!"

"You're here to help us?" Kyotoku Jiro asked as he approached the trio while holding the disassembled neck of a guitar. "Really? We could definitely use it. What's your hourly rate?"

"Huh?" Mirio asked, eyes wide. He was quick to release his grip on Kyoka's hand before he waved his own before himself, holding the back of his head with the other. "Oh, no, no, no! We're doing this for free! All three of us really like music, a-and your store is a pillar of this community, so we came by to help speed up the reopening! We had a day off, and it just… it, uh…"

"Community service," Tamaki said quietly as he kept his eyes on the floor and sank into a formal bow. "Part of being a hero. We're sorry to hear that you were attacked."

Kyoka turned to her father and raised a brow, looking rather uncertain. Kyotoku was quick to nod and run a hand through his hair, looking grateful as he gave Tamaki a nod.

"Well… in that case, we gratefully accept! There's still a lot that needs doing, but fortunately, we were only hit the once. Any more than that, and the store might not be salvageable."

"Really?" Mirio asked as he blinked in surprise. Despite speaking to Kyotoku directly, he kept his eyes off the older man's. "They've never bothered you again after that one time that was on the news…?"

"Nope! Never came back!" Kyotoku said quickly. "It was a little weird, to be honest. I still have absolutely no idea what they wanted, or why they decided to attack our store to begin with. Just that burnt-up freak and his pack of goons looking to stir up trouble, I guess!"

Mirio quite nearly had to bite his tongue to keep from calling Kyotoku out. Kyoka shook her head and moved around to the other side of the counter to busy herself with taking inventory. Her shoulders were tense and she refused to look at the Big Three. Mirio took a deep breath in, doing his best to keep his voice calm as he put his hands into his pockets and kept his eyes on her back.

"…huh. That's… weird…"

"Super weird," Nejire added. "But honestly? Good! Maybe it was just a one-time fluke. What can we do to help out? Just point us, and we'll do the rest."

"Well, I was actually just about to run out and get us some lunch," Kyotoku explained with a grin. "How about I buy for all of us, while Kyoka gets you set up with some jobs around the store?"

"I think that's a good idea," Kyoka said immediately, though she kept her back turned. "I know where to put them all."

"Good, good!" Kyotoku praised as he hastily walked to the front door. "In that case, I'll see you all in 20 or so! Thanks again!"

Kyoka finally turned around as the bell in the doorway tinkled again, leaving the Big Three to exchange uncertain looks amongst themselves.

"…Togata," Kyoka called, earning the young man's attention immediately. "There's some… stuff in the back that I could use some help dragging out, before I get the rest of you set up. Can I have some help? I think you and I could handle it."

"Oh! Of course!" Mirio answered, marching straight over to Kyoka. "Just lead the way!"

Tamaki watched as Kyoka led Mirio toward the other side of the store and through a black door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY in bold red text. His attention was drawn to Nejire instead as she hopped up onto one of the empty countertops and sat next to a stack of vinyls, swinging her legs. Despite the playful gesture, her expression was solemn.

"…thank you for agreeing to do this for him…"

"Of course, Hado," Tamaki said as he looked over the records next to her. "I've never seen Togata like this before."

"Was he even worse last night?" Nejire asked. "I tried to stay awake, but…"

"He came home around one in the morning," Tamaki replied. "He was… reluctant to talk. I didn't learn about what happened until breakfast with you, and I feel like we still don't have the full picture. He kept trying to change the subject to the list of confirmed first years that came out…"

"Yeah," Nejire agreed with a sigh. "I get that feeling, too. Still, I wish there was more we could do for him. He looked about ready to burst into tears this morning."

"Given what he did here yesterday?" Tamaki considered. "I'm not surprised."

"I wish there was more we could do for him," Nejire said as she picked up a record and began to read the track list on the back. "Helping out around here will ease his conscience a bit, but… I don't think he can do this alone."

"Neither do I," Tamaki agreed. "I… have an idea. A terrible idea…"

"Oh?" Nejire asked, putting down the record and giving Tamaki her full attention.

"Let Mr. Toyomitsu speak to Mirko and Hawks, once he's able. Then… we make our move."

Kyoka continued pulling items down from shelves in the storeroom, arranging them into neat little piles as Mirio worked behind her for several minutes. After finally working up her courage, she exhaled sharply and shook her head before bringing a palm up to her forehead.

"Something wrong?" Mirio asked as he turned around holding a pack of guitar strings.

"Can I… I mean… you're about to be a third year student, right?" Kyoka asked. "I really don't want to be a pain in the ass, but can I ask you for some help? Like… some advice?"

"Of course!" Mirio answered as he leaned back into the shelving unit and folded his arms over his chest. "All three of us would be happy to help any of you guys out. Starting at U.A. is kinda scary, so… anything you need, just ask."

Kyoka blew out a heavy breath and reached up to tangle one of her earphone jacks around her index finger, looping it mindlessly.

"Yeah, about that? Dad's… lying to you guys."

Mirio straightened up a bit and dropped his arms to his sides, trying to look more approachable as Kyoka turned to face him.

"…we have to pay for lunch, don't we?" he joked, hoping to earn at least a smile.

Instead, all he got was a stare and the frown of a young adult under tremendous pressure.

"No, Dad's not like that. I mean… it wasn't just the once. Whoever it is that's harassing us, they… came back. Yesterday. Apparently, they made threats and demanded money."

"…oh," Mirio said, remaining stone-faced. "I'm… sorry to hear that. Do you know what they want?"

"He won't tell me," Kyoka insisted. "Just that they're pushing us around. I found out during the conference we had yesterday, and I almost… walked out of U.A. with the intent to give up my slot. A friend came along and convinced me to stay, but I don't know. I barely slept last night. I couldn't eat this morning. Dad staying so quiet and shutting me down any time I ask is only making me feel worse, and I feel like my real responsibility as a hero lies with protecting my family. I know I'm going to end up going, but… how do I do that without feeling like I'm putting them in danger?"

Mirio listened quietly, feeling increasingly guilty with every strained word. By the end of her speech, Kyoka had stopped playing with her earlobe and her shoulders had slumped as she looked down at the floor, seeming utterly defeated.

"I think…" Mirio began, only to pause and rethink his words. "…I think that… instead of trying to absolve yourself of guilt to try to feel better, you should instead try to find a way to do something about it."

Kyoka looked up at the elder student, confused.

"What do you mean…?"

"I mean, find some way to protect your family even while you're at U.A.," Mirio explained. "Though… how you would go about doing that, I'm not entirely sure. I can check in every so often and make sure things are running alright here, and I'm sure Nejire and Tamaki wouldn't mind doing the same."

"I can't ask you to do that," Kyoka denied with a shake of her head. "That's ridiculous. There are so many other problems that need solving while you guys are out on patrol… something potentially happening here can't eat all of your attention."

"Maybe not, but we can still make an effort," Mirio tried. "A little protection's better than none, right? Besides, that burnt villain- I doubt that going after your dad is the only thing he's doing. Maybe… maybe we can try to dig up some info on him?"

"Please," Kyoka said immediately. "If you could, I would be grateful. I think Dad knows him. The way he talks about the incidents just feels… off. If you find something, would you bring it to me?"

"I will," Mirio agreed. "And when I do find something… I'll try to find a way to keep him away from your family. I think I'll be able to do it. Villains have simple motivations. I can probably convince him to leave you alone."

"…convince him?" Kyoka asked. "Shouldn't he be in jail, if you catch up to him?"

Mirio paused, his face suddenly feeling cold and a bit numb.

"Uh… yeah, of course! I meant, convince him as in, convince him. You know, with my fists!" Mirio said, punctuating the statement with two quick punches.

"I hope you're right," Kyoka said sadly. "I hate this. Until yesterday, there was nothing I wanted more than to train to be a hero and help everyone else."

"Then don't lose sight of that. There's only so much you can do at once, and you can't live in fear," Mirio insisted. "If you want another bit of advice? Lean on that friend of yours. It sounds to me like they know what they're talking about."

"I would, but…" Kyoka paused. "He's… I don't think he likes being bothered much. He came to check on me, but I don't know if it was out of obligation, or because he really cares."

"Well, if he's becoming a hero, it must be because he cares," Mirio concluded. "Otherwise, there are a lot of other jobs out there for a person with a powerful Quirk. Why not reach out? Take your mind off of what's going on by spending time with him?"

"…and what if I piss him off by being too clingy?" Kyoka asked. "We just met. We're going to be at U.A. together, and I don't want to start out with bad blood."

Mirio chuckled softly and shook his head before nodding toward the storage room door.

"…let me let you in on a little secret. Tamaki out there? He has pretty bad social anxiety. He hates coming out in public, and usually even hanging out with other people. I've known him for a long while, but it took him almost a full year to open up to Nejire. Once he did, though? They've become practically inseparable. Some people are just waiting for others to make the first move. Give it a shot. You never know what might happen."

Kyoka took a deep breath and took her phone out of her pocket to look at the screen.

"…yeah. Yeah, maybe I will…"

Author's Note:

Who knows when they'll actually get to UA? Not me. Also, just a heads up- this story will update next week as usual, but from then on, it's going to be every other week for a while. My writing schedule is killing me. Weekly updates will come back, but it's going to be at least a few months until then.

-RD