I bowed deeply to the man seated at the desk in front of me, nerves making my heart flutter in my chest and my palms feel clammy. "I'm sorry to bother you, Sir Nighteye," I said respectfully and on my best behavior.

"I do usually require an appointment," he said stiffly, giving me an icy stare.

"Yes," I gulped, standing straighter again and internally yelling at myself to get it together. Don't you dare let it show how nervous you are. "Thank you for seeing me anyway. My name is-"

"I know who you are, vigilante. That's why I agreed to see you anyway."

I forced a half smile. "Aspiring hero and ex-vigilante now, actually. I'm going for my non-traditional hero license."

"Yes. You're teaching at Yūei now," he said, leaning back and steepling his hands in front of his chin. "Not Nezu's wisest decision, but I'm sure he has his reasons."

My grin was wider now, and even more forced. My right eye twitched slightly. "You don't trust me, and that's fine; we just met. But I'm here because I want to help you, and in turn I hope you can help me..." I swallowed, stealing my nerve and hoping I wasn't making a massive mistake, "And that you can help Yagi Toshinori as well."

Nighteye didn't react outwardly beyond the slight clench of his jaw and the way his lips pressed together in a tight line. "How is it you know that name?" he asked after a second too long. He didn't look angry, but this guy was also harder to read than most. I folded my hands behind my back and casually looked about the office, trying to appear calm and aloof - it was a ruse, of course.

"We're quite close," I said vaguely, looking at one of the All Might posters that hung on his office wall. "Close enough that I know why you two don't talk anymore," I added quietly, glancing at him sideways.

"What is it you want, Hara Mei?" he asked, watching me carefully.

I bit the inside of my lip, reminding myself again to be sure to keep my shoulders from trembling visibly. "I didn't tell him I was coming here to see you, but he and I recently learned from one of my old contacts that there's a connection between the League of Villains and the Shie Hassaikai. Gran Torino is looking into the League we know, and the information we've come into was already passed on to him. But you're investigating Overhaul, aren't you?" Nighteye still didn't move a muscle. "I think your investigation could benefit from my involvement as well."

"There are so many red flags you raised in just a handful of words, that I hardly know which one to address first," he said curtly, and I started to really worry in earnest that I'd made a mistake in coming here. The hero pushed back from his desk and stood, keeping his intelligent and scrutinizing gaze on me as he walked around the desk before stopping in front to lean back against it. "First of all, I need to know how someone who isn't a hero or a police officer knows about two highly confidential cases."

I shrugged, still trying to appear unperturbed. "I told you, I work closely with All Might."

"That doesn't answer the question."

"Of course it does. All Might told me." It wasn't a lie.

"Him knowing about Gran Torino's case I can understand, but he doesn't know anything regarding my investigation," he disputed.

"But his successor does," I said, hoping I wasn't getting the boy in trouble, and by the scowl that settled on the tall man's face I was concerned that I might have. Quickly I added, "You can't expect the kid not to talk to his master. That's literally the whole point of having a mentor, and at least you know that information is safe with the Symbol of Peace."

"Apparently not, if he's told you." His words were sharp and biting, and it took all of my effort not to flinch under the intimidation of his glare. "He's made quite a few questionable decisions as of late, it seems."

"Maybe. But they're his to make," I shot back before I could remind myself to disguise the coolness that I felt creeping into my own voice.

Silence.

I didn't want to be the first to back down - if I spoke before he did it almost felt like it would be a show of submission, however foolish that may seem. Regardless, as the deafening quiet stretched between us, I realized I might have to. This wasn't a pissing contest - or it wasn't supposed to be at least - and I needed to stop acting like I was something I wasn't. So with a great amount of effort I relaxed my shoulders, and let a lazy grin settle on my face. "Geez, I see now why Toshinori hired you in the first place. He's a great man, but sometimes he needs someone to ground him a bit. I bet you were pretty good at that with that crazy intense stare you've got going there."

His expression didn't falter, and he didn't speak. Awkwardly I shoved my hands in my jacket pockets to keep them from twining my hair unconsciously. "Look, you don't have to like me, but I still think we could help each other out here. If you're willing to hear me out, I'll share the intel I've got and be out of your hair. I'm not a hero yet so I have no authority, and Toshi's retired. We're a bit of an odd couple to be trying to look into this, but so sue us for still wanting to help."

Nighteye was silent for a few more seconds before begrudgingly acknowledging me again. "I still have several red flags to address."

I made a show of glancing at my watch and then shrugged before plopping down in the chair in front of his desk. "I've got all afternoon," I told him.

Another beat of silence passed. "I assume this 'old contact' of yours comes from your days as a vigilante, which likely means they're a criminal. How am I to know this is a reliable source?"

"You're not wrong - he isn't the most straight and narrow guy - but he's got an in with the Yakuza and neither one of us care for Overhaul very much since he murdered our friend a year ago," I said, leaning back in the chair and crossing one leg over the other in front of me casually. "Therefore, he's more than willing to sell the guy out, if he can."

Nighteye raised a single brow, nodding as he took in my words. "You say you're close with All Might and that you both want to help, and yet you came here without telling him. That doesn't make you appear any more trustworthy to me, you realize?"

"Fair enough," I agreed with a nod. "When he told me that your agency was investigating Overhaul, I asked him if he wanted to come talk to you. He's very... hesitant, and can you really blame him?" I asked before boldly I continued, "I mean, you keep telling him that all his decisions are the wrong ones: he was wrong to push off retirement, he was wrong to choose Midoriya to be his successor. Regardless of how you felt about it, they were his choices and his alone. Toshi's spent his whole life doing everything for everyone else. You know how hard it's been for me to convince him it's okay for him to do things for himself sometimes too?" My anger had caught up with me and pushed its way through the nervousness before I could even realize that was the actual emotion I was feeling. I hadn't meant to call the pro hero out, but now that the words were said, there was no taking them back either.

I expected to see anger or annoyance reflected back at me after my small outburst, but instead the hero's expression changed slightly and for a moment he almost looked mildly pleased. "You love him, don't you?" he asked bluntly.

"I do," I replied without hesitation.

Nighteye sighed and his gaze lost some of its intensity. "I love and admire him too. Really I just want what's best for him."

"I understand," I said, and I meant it. "But, Sir, it's still his life to live. I tried doing what I thought was best for him once," I admitted, trying not to choke on the sour words, "And it didn't go so well. It ended up hurting him more than anything, actually. He can choose for himself what's best."

"I still can't accept these decisions," he asserted, but his tone was less aggressive now and almost had a hint of remorse to it. Almost.

Shrugging my shoulders I sat up straighter in the chair. "And that's your prerogative."

The silence that stretched before us was less tense this time. "So I guess we should circle back around from this tangent and discuss the reason you came to see me today," he said finally, and I nodded.

The report was brief, and I got the point while doing my best to balance on the line between relaxed and professional - and that was a hard line to balance. At the conclusion I smiled wryly. "You know, I might not be a hero yet, but I'm already starting to think being a vigilante was much easier. No reports, no paperwork, and I could go bash the bad guy's skulls whenever I wanted to without telling anyone."

Much to my surprise, Sir Nighteye snorted through his nose with just the ghost of a smile passing his face for a split second. "Easier until you get yourself killed that way, maybe."

"Suppose that's true. Either way, someone is doing paperwork, I guess," I chuckled and he raised a brow before sighing.

"I'll need to look into what you're told me. I was already aware that Shigaraki and Chisaki had met, and this mysterious project is bad news all around. Regardless, we need to bring Chisaki down."

"We?" I echoed and Nighteye rolled his eyes.

"'We' meaning the heroes, which you are not, Miss Hara," he clarified before shaking his head when I opened my mouth to argue. "Don't even start. You don't have the authority or license to become involved in this."

"I'm already involved - and I operate under the authority of a pro supervisor, like students would!" I tried to protest in any case; it was only a half bluff. I was well aware I wasn't qualified.

He scoffed. "So that puts you on the same playing field as a fifteen-year-old first year. Congratulations," he said sarcastically.

"I can help," I tried again, but my heart wasn't in it this time. I knew the battle was already lost. "Please."

"Begging is unbecoming," he said disapprovingly, looking at me sternly over the rim of his glasses.

I sighed, at a loss. "Just... if you need more hands on deck for things to come, consider me, yeah? I'm not a licensed pro, but I've got real world experience and I can help with the background operations as well."

"Which pro hero is supervising you?" Sir Nighteye asked, intimidating gaze knowing and watchful. He knew the answer to his question already, so I wasn't sure why he wanted to make me say it.

"All Might is," I said, a tad suspiciously.

"All Might's retired. You'd need to be operating under an active hero to be of any use to me."

I shrugged, feeling my cheeks redden both in a new bout of anger and in preemptive embarrassment for the following accusation. "You just don't want me going back and talking to him about what you're doing, do you?"

"All Might and I's professional relationship ended very amicably, despite whatever he may have told you about personal matters. I have no qualms about him knowing about what I'm up to. In fact, if he'd wanted to come speak to me himself, I wouldn't have taken issue with it. However, instead he deliberately avoided the situation, putting his subordinate in the position to go behind his back and consult with me anyway. You were right to share your information with me as it does pertain to my agency's investigation - but as a mentor and a hero he should have made that call himself without letting personal feelings get in the way," he said cooly, fire flashing behind golden irises.

He's angry, I realized suddenly as I recognized the flash of emotion stirring in the man's eyes. No, not just angry...

He was hurt.

Even years after their falling out, it still must hurt him that Toshinori would turn a blind eye to protocol rather than face him. My own anger died suddenly as it gave way to sympathy. They had been friends once, and before that Nighteye was a fan. For a moment, I thought of a different green haired individual, and how the younger fanboy would be devastated if he ever became at odds with his idol.

"In any case," he continued, "if he's your supervisor, and you're here acting without his knowledge or instruction, then obviously you still have a lot to learn. The hero world has rules and guidelines for a reason, Miss Hara, and if you choose not to follow the guidelines of your limited authority now, what's to stop you from going beyond the legal perimeters when you are a hero on your own?" His piercing gaze seemed to spear straight through my heart. "I'm afraid I simply wouldn't be able to trust you if I were to involve you in this investigation."

The truth was cutting, but he was right - I knew he was right. However, that didn't make the words suck less. Wordlessly I stood, not trusting my voice and nodding a silent farewell before turning towards the door. There was nothing I could do or say to change his mind, and yet I still paused with my hand on the doorknob. Without turning around I addressed the pro hero one last time, "If it makes a difference, I think he should have come and spoke with you himself too. The past is the past - you of all people should know it's the future that matters." And with that, I left.

On my way out I paused at the front desk, and after meeting the quizzical stare of the receptionist, I asked for a piece of paper and a pen. I scribbled down my number and handed it back to her. "Let him know if he changes his mind, he can call me," I said before letting myself out.

It seemed like the heroic thing to do.

Toshinori didn't ask Mei about how her meeting with Nighteye went, and she didn't bring it up either. Likely she had no clue he knew, but the retired hero wasn't sure if that made it better or worse. It made him feel pretty shitty, actually, but at this point he wasn't sure what to do about it. He'd let his own cowardice get in the way again, and that was something he was going to have to deal with now.

As an inactive hero, it wasn't his place to pursue this case, so as a result it was essential he pass on the information to those who could actually use it. He'd done half the job when he contacted Gran Torino.

But All Might had never been a hero to half do anything.

Yet still, he'd avoided the situation when Mei brought it up. Guilt and embarrassment plagued him and he couldn't help but wonder what the dark haired woman must think of him now. Was she disappointed in him? He was disappointed in himself, so he wouldn't blame her. If she thought less of him, it was his own fault.

It also bothered him slightly that she didn't bring it up either. He wouldn't have been mad at her for making the correct call - the call he should have made but was too weak to. The fact that she went ahead and reached out to Nighteye's agency anyway actually showed her mindfulness for the way things were done, and only reaffirmed his belief that she really would make a great hero. Criminal background aside, her morals were straight and true, and she understood the importance of doing what had to be done.

But why wouldn't she tell him?

He kept asking himself that same question, coming up with several plausible answers, but still finding no confirmation. And you won't get a confirmation unless you actually ask her, you old fool, he scolded himself mentally.

He'd finally decided to bring it up a couple days later - he really meant it when he'd promised to work on his own communication too - but when the day ended and instead of the ocean-eyed smile he was used to he saw storm clouds in the woman's expression, he chickened out.

No sense in risking a woman's wrath if she's already having a bad day, he thought a tad frantically.

"Hey, everything okay?" he asked, reaching a hand out to Mei as she slammed the apartment door behind her. She exhaled grumpily and kicked off her shoes before unceremoniously knocking his hand aside and burying her face in his chest instead.

Well that's just adorable, he thought, unable to keep the smile from his face as he brought his arms up to hug her close.

She growled something unintelligible, which was somehow even cuter, and he fought to keep from chuckling out loud as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Rough day?" he tried again to coax an audible response from the small woman.

She sighed and nodded, face still pressed against his shirt - he'd probably have makeup stains on it now. "You could say that," she finally growled. "Embarrassed myself in front of a whole class of second years, lost my lunch bag somewhere so I didn't eat, and then when I was training this afternoon I fumbled the weight I was working with and banged the hell out of my shin," she grumbled.

"Well let's get you some food and an ice pack then," he prompted gently, but she shook her head.

She sighed as she pulled back and brushed the hair out of her face. "No, I was going to see if you wanted to go out tonight. I need a break."

He nodded with a gentle smile. "Of course," he agreed immediately. "Where would you like to go?"

"Anywhere."

"Anywhere, hm?" he hummed thoughtfully, before inspiration struck. It was a Saturday, so with the day off tomorrow, they could probably get away with the plan he was hastily concocting. "Are you okay with a little travel? It will take about an hour to get where I'm thinking."

Instantly her eyes narrowed, probably doing the math in her head. "Nowhere fancy," she amended cautiously.

"I thought you said anywhere," he couldn't help but tease.

"Anywhere that doesn't require me changing clothes or doing my makeup," she clarified, and he chuckled.

"No worries, it's a pretty casual place," he assured the young woman. "But we won't be coming back here tonight, so grab a change of clothes for tomorrow, okay?"

The suspicion in her almost grey eyes narrowed them further. "What are you planning?" she asked slowly.

He couldn't help himself. "It's a surprise."

"Toshinori," she growled a warning, forcing him to turn away to avoid spraying her with blood as he laughed fully. Looking slightly miffed, she jabbed him just under the ribs on his right side and he grunted before doubling over as he laughed even harder. "Seriously! Come on, no surprises!" she groaned. Taking pity on her he straightened up, smirking while wiping the blood from his lips with the back of his hand.

"We'll stay at Might Tower tonight," he told her. "There's this ramen place I used to go to a lot just around the corner from my agency. It's a little-hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but it was my favorite after a long day or a tough mission."

The trepidation left her face, and to the blonde's relief she smiled. "That sounds lovely, actually."

"Go pack an overnight bag then," he grinned back.

Only fifteen minutes into the train ride towards Tokyo and she was already asleep on his shoulder. Really, he wasn't sure why she was so intent on going out if she was this tired - if it had been him in her shoes, personally he would have opted for a warm bath and then bed. But to each their own, and if he could make her bad day a little better, he didn't mind one bit. Toshinori shifted his arm, adjusting the sleeping girl so that she was nestled against his side with his arm around her shoulder. He was perfectly content to let her stay like this the rest of the ride.

"We're almost at the station, love," he roused her gently some time later as the train began to slow.

"Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep," she yawned.

"You looked like you needed it," he replied unperturbed.

Toshinori liked Tokyo - he always had. The hustle and bustle of Minato was somehow comforting to him, and as he and Mei walked through the streets after leaving the station, he took a moment to remember why he'd chosen the area for his main headquarters in the first place. The ramen shop was halfway between the station and Might Tower, and as they ate (Mei agreed that it might have been some of the best ramen she'd ever had) he couldn't help but wonder what the young woman would think of his agency.

It was just past twilight and most of the light had left the sky when they exited the restaurant. Pinks and violets from the light of the setting sun played in the reflective tones of Mei's hair, and the soft ambiance illuminating her face left the retired hero daydreaming more than he'd really like to admit. How in the world did she still still make him feel like he was walking on air instead of the sidewalk? He didn't even think twice about it as he slipped his hand into hers.

The blonde lead the way toward his agency, but when the high rise became visible as they rounded the corner his companion stopped dead in her tracks. "What's wrong?" he asked in confusion, taking in the way her jaw hung open slightly as she looked up at the skyscraper.

"You know, if I hadn't seen you naked, I'd say you were compensating for something," she mused.

The geyser of blood resulting from her tease was somehow comical to the little hellion, and she cackled as he eyed her sternly while actively trying not to hack up a lung onto the pavement. "Gee, thanks," he managed to drawl between coughs.

Giggling, she dug in her bag a moment before producing a handful of tissues (she had learned to be prepared with him, apparently) and offered them to him. "Oh come on, it's a compliment," she smirked, and Toshinori rolled his eyes. Not in a million years would he admit that internally his pride might have been preening a little bit. "How many floors is it?" she asked, looking up at the building again.

"Enough," he replied simply, earning an eye roll from her this time.

"There's a giant planet on top of it," she stated, still staring.

"Well spotted," he snorted. This time she aimed a jab at him and he laughed as he dodged. "It's a reference, actually," he chuckled once it seemed safe to approach again. "Do you get it?"

Mei's eyes lit up suddenly before she shook her head in amusement. "The 'Daily Planet,' right? Alright, Clark Kent, I see what you did there," she grinned. "Although I seem to recall you were quick to correct me the last time I compared you to Superman," she reminded him as he took her hand again and they kept walking.

"Different context," he replied airily.

It was kind of cute how Mei looked around with wide eyes like a child at a museum as they entered the agency, and he didn't miss the glint in her gaze when she saw the large statue of him in the center of the lobby. Toshinori kept bouncing between pride and awkwardness as he showed off his agency to the young woman. A lot of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears had gone into building his career, and Might Tower was a physical representation of all that he'd earned as a hero. He should be proud. But he also saw it now as a reminder of days gone - could he really boast such a grand agency unabashedly when he wasn't even a real hero anymore?

"So how long before 'the suits' descend on you?" Mei murmured after a moment, and Toshinori raised a brow in confusion before he realized what she meant.

"It's not that staunch here," he argued.

"Isn't it?" she replied, blue-green eyes teasing. "I mean, there's a giant statue of the boss in the lobby, so it must be fancy."

"Hey, I'm a pretty easy-going guy to work for," he grumbled, a tad miffed.

"Clearly," she said with a smirk. "I mean the whole place seems to run itself since you're almost never on site."

He snorted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well that's neither here nor there," he said dismissively, making the laughter in her eyes grow even more.

For the most part he still could walk the streets relatively unnoticed. The media had shown his true face and form, but he was less easy to spot in this emaciated body than he had been when he was a towering wall of muscle. Before his identity had been revealed, even his own employees here at Might Tower had no clue the scrawny Mr. Yagi from the Might's Secondary Productions Clerical Office was actually the boss himself. Now, however, he was pretty sure everyone here at least knew his real face.

"But to answer your question," he said, glancing around a tad warily, "I'd give it thirty second tops before someone-"

"It's All Might!" a voice exclaimed, cutting him off and Mei giggled.

"Guess that answers that," she replied with an eye roll as she pulled her hand from his. He would have protested (she had said she didn't want them to be a secret, hadn't she?) but he didn't get the chance as the man behind the front desk made his way over.

"Good evening, sir. I didn't know you'd be coming by today! Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked respectfully.

"Ah, yes actually," Toshinori answered with a smile before clapping a hand on Mei's shoulder. "This is Miss Hara Mei. She's an aspiring hero who will be working here after she obtains her hero license. Would you have a badge printed up for her please? Full access to the facility."

The young man gaped at the woman a moment in shock before hurriedly bowing. "Yes! Right away sir!"

"Thank you, but no rush. Miss Hara will be my guest tonight, and I'll be showing her around the agency tomorrow. Is it okay if it's brought up to my residence when it's done?" he asked.

"Y-yes, sir!" he agreed. "Miss Hara, may I borrow your identification for a moment? If you're staying here tonight I can have it returned to you upstairs." After she handed over her ID, the young man bowed again and hurried off, looking slightly bewildered. All Might could guess why - a new hero here would be unexpected news indeed.

"A tour, hm?" Mei grinned, but something was off in her expression. The retired hero couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly it was, but he was slightly concerned to notice that her walls were up again. He knew that look well enough, unfortunately.

"You didn't have any other plans for your Sunday already, did you?" he asked, raising a brow and she shook her head.

"Nope. I'm all yours," she grinned.

"Is that a promise?" he chuckled.

"Down, boy," she laughed, lightly punching his arm. "At least bring me up to your room first." The words were teasing and light, and so was her smile and her eyes, but there was still something there behind her gaze. Something that was simply... wrong, and it was worrying Toshinori more and more the longer it was that he couldn't figure out what the problem might be.

She was quiet in the elevator ride up, and the blonde tried not to fidget in the uncertain silence. Should he say something? If she didn't want to talk about it, he didn't want to push her. But what if it was something important? Surely she would tell him on her own though, wouldn't she?

He let her through the 'Might Gate' which lead to his office and his apartment, and the more she looked around, the more she seemed to shut down.

"Do you like it?" he asked, surprising himself. Pitiful, Toshinori, his inner voice scolded. Of all the things that could be wrong, she probably isn't upset because she doesn't like the place.

Mei smiled that not-quite-right smile again - All Might knew well enough about fake smiles. "It's a gorgeous building. This is way fancier than your old apartment," she observed, glancing around the open space.

"Yes, well, this was my main residence previously. Before my injury, I actually entertained guests from time to time, believe it or not. Had an image to upkeep and all," he explained, rubbing the back of his neck. 'Fancier' wasn't the word he would have used or preferred - the place was more modern and stylish, and definitely showier than the apartment Mei had lived with him in. Usually he preferred not to flaunt his wealth - and in any case he wasn't as ridiculously loaded as everyone seemed to think. He lived comfortably and had some nice things, but he only profited from his merchandise sales. Every penny he'd ever earned as a hero had gone to paying his employees, and then what was left (which was still a substantial amount) had been donated to various charities - what would he need with it when there were others he could help instead? Now that he was retired, he got a pension from the government, but it wasn't close to what he'd made before. So while that went to keeping his agency funded, he'd began donating from his merchandising profit instead. He could live off of his Yūei income well enough after all, and he had plenty of savings he could fall back on if he ever had to.

The young woman nodded, looking around again. "Well, I think I'm going to grab a shower and hit the hay - especially if I'm getting the grand tour tomorrow. I can't look as tired as I normally do when I'm meeting everyone," she chuckled. "Where's the bathroom?"

After pointing her the way, he hesitated, and then before he even realized he'd made up his mind he reached out to catch her wrist. "Hey," he called softly, stopping her after she'd already turned away. "What's wrong, love?"

She didn't immediately turn around, which told him he was right that there was something bothering her. If he had to guess, the pause before she faced him again was probably her composing the fake smile she tried to convince him with now. "Nothing," she lied.

Toshinori tried not to scowl too openly. "You're a good actor, but I've noticed you have a much harder time hiding your emotions from me," his voice softened slightly, and still gripping her arm he pulled her towards him gently. "I'd like to believe that's because, even if it's subconscious, you trust me enough that you feel like you don't have to hide completely. So don't hide, please, Mei."

The smile faltered, and she blinked quickly before looking away. It was also apparent now her shoulders were shaking, and where his fingers rested over the pulse in her wrist her heart rate was racing. "Dammit, Toshinori," she sighed in a voice that had only the faintest hint of a quiver to it. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and held it before slowly exhaling. If anything, her shoulders only shook harder. "I'm really just trying to make it to the shower before I have this panic attack; you don't need to see me like that."

"Panic attack?" he repeated, instantly alert. Decades of hero work had given him enough knowledge of first aid and various health crises, and in this moment he was immensely glad for that. There were plenty of times he conducted a rescue that required medical attention quicker than paramedics could get there, and it was overwhelmingly common for victims to experience shock and anxiety or panic attacks. All Might had made a point of educating himself on such things, even beyond the basics he'd learned in school. Calmly, he bent so that he could watch her face, and he kept his fingers over her pulse so he could keep count. "Tell me what you need?" he asked quietly.

Large, grey-blue eyes stared at him with something heartbreakingly akin to fear. "Toshi, I don't-"

"Don't worry about keeping up appearances in front of me. I think we're past that now, right? Let's get you through this, and we can talk about what triggered it afterwards," he stopped her. Most people experienced anxiety attacks in different ways, and while Mei had told him before about her PTSD and anxiety, he hadn't seen one of her attacks himself prior to now.

"I can h-handle this on my own," she said through teeth that were beginning to chatter.

"I have no doubt," he told her, "But just because you can doesn't mean you have to. I am here."

Nodding slowly and eyes full of warring emotion, the first of the tears began to stream down her cheeks. The struggle going on inside her mind was evident as she struggled with indecision before suddenly her shoulders slumped as she gave in. The young woman sank down to the floor, shivering and shaking violently. Hugging her knees to her chest, she buried her face in them as Toshinori sat down with her. There wasn't much you could do for someone in this situation besides try to comfort them, and even if that was the only thing he could do, Toshinori would do his best to help. He combed his fingers through her hair soothingly, and rubbed circles on her back as she finally let the panic attack overcome her completely. Body-racking sobs shook her small frame, and the sound broke his heart.

Words would likely do little for her right now, and rather than risk saying the wrong thing, the retired hero stayed mostly quiet while trying to offer comfort through touch. Occasionally he would remind her softly to breathe, and once or twice he murmured a small affirmation that he was still there with her. The attack lasted around seven minutes, but to the young woman he was sure it probably felt much longer. When the shaking finally started to slow, and the gasps and sobs became less forceful, Toshinori felt relief wash over him.

Oh, Mei, he thought sadly, Whatever started it this time, I'm so sorry.

It took a couple more minutes before she lifted her head from where it rested her knees, and steel grey eyes rimmed in red looked at him with both sorrow and embarrassment. "I- I'm sorry you had to see that," she hiccuped.

Shaking his head, and pulled her against his chest and continued softly stroking her hair. "Don't," he said, "I know it's not something you can control. I just want to make sure you're alright."

She chuckled weakly against his collar bone - that was a good sign, at least, even if the laugh was bitter and mostly humorless. "I try to anyway. I've learned how to postpone them when I feel one coming on, but I can't stave it off forever. I'm okay though... thank you," she sighed.

"Do you want or need to talk about it?" he murmured questioningly, lips brushing the top of her head.

"Want to? No... Need to? Probably," she replied, and even though he couldn't see her face he could hear the grimace.

"Take your time," he encouraged, and while he was already starting to ache from sitting on the floor like this, there was no way he'd move until she was ready to do so first.

She exhaled, and he was pleased to hear each breath come easier than the previous. The small amounts of relief he'd been feeling were immediately replaced by guilt, however, when the woman spoke again after a pause. "This agency... it's too much. I don't know if I can do this..."

Shit. So, it is my fault then, he sighed internally.

"What do you mean?" he asked, trying to understand. He pulled back, tilting his head to try and read her expression.

Dark hair cascaded over her shoulder and hid her face like a curtain as she ducked her head - he really wished she wouldn't hide from him like that. "I don't deserve it," she said almost too quiet for him to hear, and honestly he almost wished he hadn't. It was excruciating to hear the abundant self-doubt in her voice.

"That's not true," he replied firmly. "That's absolutely not true and you know it."

"But it is true. All this... it's too good for me. I don't deserve the chances and opportunities you've given me. I didn't earn this - I didn't do anything to warrant a job at the number one hero agency, and everyone will know that." Her shoulders were starting to shake again. "I can't live up to this - I'll only let everyone down... I'll only let you down."

"You could never," he asserted, eyes bright and determined. "God, Mei, if you could only see yourself the way I see you - I look at you and I see limitless potential. I see a woman who is strong and driven and will do whatever it takes to save and help others. That's how you earned a place at my agency. You've gone through so much for the sake of others without asking anything in return, and that's what makes you deserving of every good thing that comes your way. You do deserve to be happy, and to feel satisfied with yourself and your work. You're allowed to take pride in your accomplishments without belittling yourself based on your past." Thin, skeletal fingers gripped her chin as he lifted her face to make her look at him. She had to see it - the determination and truth in his gaze. Love was one thing, sure, but he also wholeheartedly admired and respected the ex-vigilante. Whatever he could offer, he would give in an instant if it somehow made her life better - if it could make her happier.

God, did her eyes look like Nana's when she was sad, and staring into their emotion-filled depths now was that much more torturous for him. She sniffed, and the ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of her lip. It wasn't completely genuine looking, but it wasn't totally forced either. "So I'm not just getting the job cause I'm dating the boss?"

Toshinori snorted in what was almost a laugh. "No," he reassured her. "I offered you this job long before I even knew you liked me, remember? In fact, the first time I ever considered it was at the sports festival."

She did look surprised at that. "You were still biased, though," she pouted, but it was only partially serious; it was progress.

"Maybe," he hummed, "But I'd like to think I have a good eye for potential. And I really do see it in you, Mei - I always have. I've seen it in you since our first conversation. You will be a great hero someday, because you're already a great person. I believe in you."

"You really do, don't you?" she asked in genuine bewilderment, searching his eyes.

"Of course I do," he replied immediately, almost offended by her lack of faith.

"And you really think I can do this?" she continued, still skeptical.

"I do."

"You're mad, you know?"

"Not that I'm aware of, but I suppose anything's possible when you get to be as old as me," he teased. The bait worked perfectly as she scowled and thumped him between his eyes with her thumb and forefinger, and he tried to contain the laughter that rumbled in his chest.

"You're not old, dammit."

Later when they were both tucked into bed, Toshinori lay awake, staring at the high ceiling and listening to the breathing of the sleeping woman nestled against his side. Again and again he thought over how in the world he could prove to the dark-haired girl her own worth - how he could make her see the same thing he did. Retired or not, the hero felt he had a good bit of work ahead of him, but he was up for the challenge.

Mei was worth it, after all.