AN: I don't own My hero academia.

Not so perfect

"Toshinori." A woman in navy spandex and a while flowing cape stood in front of the sunlight. Her long hair flowed with it. Half tied up in a messy bun. She always looked so strong to him. "A true hero doesn't just save lives but hearts as well. That's what I believe." She turned back to face the boy she took under her wings. Her lips turned up to the brightest smile. "So, no matter how scary it gets. Give them a smile that tells them 'I'm ok."

"I understand sensei." The boy with golden locks said excitedly.

The woman laughed at her student's enthusiasm. It always sounded like music to him. He'd listen to it forever. "Smiles are precious things." She continued. "I think they're the greatest gift anyone could receive. Especially for a hero."

And so, he adopted that mindset. Even after her passing. To smile in the face of danger. No matter what challenges face him. No matter how many wounds he had to bear. No matter how scared he was inside. He will smile through it all. For the sake of everyone, he will give them peace of mind with a simple smile. Their smiles returning felt like treasures to him. That's why he'll protect them. Those precious smiles.

"Help," whispered a ghostly voice.

All Might turned around and meant nothing but a wall of debris. He stared at it for only a second but was soon distracted. The building was raining down around them. If he didn't act soon, they'll all be crushed. Besides the cries around him were lounder. In his arms were several crying children.

Earlier, A crackling villain barely conscious mocked him about who they believed he saved everyone. They slyly challenged if he could still make it in time to save the group remaining as the building continued to collapse. Some hostages had been dragged down to the deepest basement for leverage. Since that was out of the window the villain will delight in the hero's eventual failure. Never one to fear a challenge the hero took it. The villains weren't exactly strong however they did have destructive quirks. In an enclosed area with an unknown number of hostages, it was a tricky fight. Also protecting so many at once, but he managed. These crying children should be the last.

At least they should have.

Agent Name: Sai Darewell

Speciality: undercover and intel recovery.

Quirk: N/A - Quirkless

Recruited at the age of 17 after graduating early from Shiketsu. Notably sharp with top grades. Special skills include acting, high emotional awareness, slightly above average human physical strength, and sharp investigative skills.

Overall, a charming individual. Able to charm the toughest of targets and gather information. Acting skills prime for undercover. Quirkless status enables him to be less inauspicious. Although physical skill is above average recommend working in teams.

Warning: reckless and makes impulse decisions. Preferred partner with a level head.

All Might couldn't help but be curious about the name that man cried so much about. Sai Darewell. So, he did some digging and found some sensitive files. Luckily as the number 1 hero, he had some privilege to see them and if not, he had some favours to cash in. He usually didn't do this, but it was important. He had to know more.

The man was A quirkless agent of the hero public safety commission. He has been on several uncover missions most of which had a high success rate. Commendable of the lot was the Nozomi's case. They infiltrated the facility and got proof of the human trafficking operation. Despite the success he acclaimed he reportedly retired from the association after this incident. He was a star agent if these files were anything to go. Which made it that more painful to read the files regarding his 'death'.

According to the autopsy report he died from suffocation along with some internal bleeding. A very odd cause of death. For car crash. That's what the official reports state but he couldn't accept them as facts. That's why he went on a little investigation spree. Well, he let his sidekick go on one. He had hero work to do even if it didn't feel right. He asked them to visit the children he managed to save from the basement that day. Along with the picture of the man Sai. Nearly all of them confirmed the same thing: they recognised the man. He went along as tribute with the children taken away and they haven't seen him since. The children believed the man was still alive and asked if they could see him.

All Might wasn't their only hero that day. When one of the villains took them and he willingly joined. As they were crying, he kept on smiling cracking jokes. The villain got aggravated and demanded his silence. He refused and redirected his jokes to the villain. Mocking them openly turning the children's fear into laughter. Enraged the villain attacked their opened was a sly one and nimble. The villain's defeat came swift, and they escaped with the children. However, the ceiling became unstable. One of the children found themselves half-buried. He stayed behind ordering the other children to keep running to the exit. The last the children saw of him was then. Trying to free the trapped child.

Sai Darewell. A heroic man he couldn't save. After piecing the full story, All Might couldn't hold back.

"Commissioner why did you hide this from me?", All Might yelled as he barged into the office without warning. He slammed the papers across the desk demanding answers.

The commissioner was a cold looking woman. With chilling eyes and frosted hair. With a simple monotone suit with a pencil skirt. A professional as she should be. The woman only took a glance at the file rudely displayed on her desk to understand what the hero wanted. "We didn't think you needed to know."

Her answer only made the hero angrier. He clawed his nails at her desk. It took all his willpower not to smash it. "Someone died on my watch. How I'm not supposed to know that!"

"We were worried it would affect your performance. Looks like we were right," she casually continued while taking her seat. This conversation was so needlessly bothersome.

"He was one of your men. How could you act like you don't care!"

"He was the one that chose to leave. What happens to him is not our concern." The commissioner argued. Swiftly, she gathered the files and neatly stacked them back in place. It was only fate that the first thing that met her eyes was the gentle smile of the deceased agent. It softened her expression. "It is rather unfortunate. He was one of our best agents. If he didn't leave for that thing this never would have happened," she said bitterly remembering another annoying memory. Perhaps they wouldn't have lost another good one either.

The hero felt his teeth clenched tighter. He could almost taste the bitterness of blood form forcing his teeth to clash. There was something about the tone of this woman that rubbed him the wording way. Particularly, when she referred to 'the thing'. "He has a name," All Might grumbled with a growl. Any files concerning the psychic quirk user were much harder to obtain. Or at least ones that were about his background. It was more hush, hush than the death of his spouse. He had to cash in a lot of favours to get even a portion of those files. A victim of the Nozomi's case form Sai's records. Coincidentally or not, since the two became intimate not long after.

"That thing shouldn't be alive." The commissioner yelled back. Her cold eyes screamed disgust as she was forced to remember that thing was still wondering about. "Look at where their survival cost us."

Was it possible for him to get angrier today? It was. The commissioner's harsh words stuck an unwanted cord in him. That heartlessness made him debate if bearing the honour of hero was right, if this was what was happening behind their shadows. "What gives you the right to say that?" He growled while slamming a fist on the table. Every item on it jumped. Some fell helplessly to the floor like some pens and a nameplate.

The commissioner matched the hero's rage with her stone-cold expression. "It's our job to uphold society in the shadows. No one will miss a few rotten eggs. For the greater good of our world, such things are necessary." She bitterly explained with her head held high. She refused to be the villain in this scenario. "Wasn't it you that wanted this? To be our symbol of peace. The shining ray of light in our society. Never faltering. Always saving the day with a smile. A perfect record and it needs to stay that way," she harshly explained. Emphasising the word 'perfect'. That is what the people needed. A perfect hero to live carefree lives. It was what they expect, and they intend to deliver it by any means necessary. "What would you think would happen if the people found out their symbol failed. It would be pandemonium. Erasing those little mistakes are necessary."

He hated to admit it, but the commissioner has a point. As cold and unfair the point was. He was a symbol. A pillar of this society. If he cracks so too would society. Even so, it didn't cure this pit in his stomach. It ate him on the inside reaching to his heart. How it pained him. When remembering that crying expression. His mentor told him to save peoples smiles. Yet he took that smile away. That left one horrid question. "Were there others," All Might said hesitantly, "did I fail anyone else?"

"Do you really what to know?" The commissioner asked slyly.

All Might could say nothing. No. He was too afraid to dig further and discover more shadows.

"I thought not," the commissioner huffed with a smug smile. She won this argument. "You got what you came for. You may leave. Let us do our job and I do hope you continue doing yours." Carelessly, she waved off the hero forced to turn their back on her. A gloomy aura hungered around them. It was a troublesome sight. She had to firmly remind the hero. "You're our only symbol of peace, All Might. Not as replaceable as others. Count yourself lucky for that."

For a second All Might paused, allowing the commissioner's words to sink in. He wasn't easy to accept. Why it was important to paint the most pristine picture for the public. A perfect picture of the perfect hero. The thought made his skin crawl more with disgust. Churning his stomach in like a washing machine with a rock in it. He wasn't going to end this conversation in complete defeat. "I have one request for you commissioner. Leave Arata Darewell alone." Thanks to the files in dug up he knew the commission has been after Arata to years with no success. Since he had been quiet, they left him be. However, with the recent incident, they have more reason to go after them again. He will not let that happen.

"Why should we?"

"Because if you don't, I will retire." The commissioner's unbreakable persona cracked. She shot a look of combined shock and fear at the hero. With challenging eyes saying he couldn't be serious. But that didn't matter. All Might grinned at his minor victory. "Do you want to take that chance, commissioner? You said it yourself I'm not easily replaceable."

The commissioner growled under her beath. While she did not believe, she knew she couldn't take chances. All Might was too important as a figurehead to lose. She had no choice but to give it. "Fine. But if that thing starts acting up again it's on your head."

That was a fair trade. All Might was prepared to take responsibility.

Later that day, the number one hero headed to a hospital. It was a restricted area for heroes and their families. It was thanks to that he could walk in without a media fuss. He was meet with another type of fuss. After all, he wasn't' the only one that decided to visit.

Down the hallway, he spotted the heads of a familiar trio of boys. The three boys looked like they were arguing with the staff. The annoyed look of the staff member says they've been at it for a while. The smallest of them held on to the hem of their uniform preventing them from going far. What was worst, at least for the staff member, was that their father sanding behind them. "Endeavour, hello!"

Enji groaned at the sound of his rival's voice. "What are you doing here?"

"Am I not allowed to be here?" All Might asked sheepishly.

The tone made Enji click his tongue and turned away irritated. "He hasn't woken up if that's what you're wondering."

The incident ended in a frantic panic. Arata was beading heavily from the head and couldn't even remember his name. The children trying to reason with him. They even tired to use Sai's name but it frightened him more. The stress combined with the blood loss forced the man to pass out. They called an ambulance and rushed to the hospital. Luckily, they were able to keep the incident away from the prying eyes of the media with a cover up that the rucks were a friendly sparing match that got a little out of hand. Considering it was All Might who promoted the idea, and the area was known to be the common training grounds for the Todoroki's most bought into. Although any news of an ambulance call was completely omitted.

Every day without fail the Todoroki family plus Tenko would come to visit. Every day since they left with heavy hearts and tears. Izuku couldn't stop crying in his father's arms. Tenko wouldn't be so far behind and would often latch onto Touya for support. As for All Might, he saw theses scenes on a couple of visits. It made his heart sink a little more each time. He didn't dare to go up to the family and ask for details. It felt wrong. Even more so now that he did it.

Soon the children rushed back up to Enji completely oblivious to the number 1 hero next to him.

"Father, they won't let us see Arata sensei yet," Izuku cried while the other boys back him up with their childish excuses.

"I'm sorry, but rules are rules," their father explained while picking his youngest son up. The child looked like he was about to cry. He laid his little head on his shoulder and Enji patted their back gently. The children tried to argue back but Enji stayed both calm and stern. There was no need to get overly emotional. While he understood the children's irritation there wasn't much they could do. They weren't sure when Arata would wake up…let's not even think of 'if'. From what he heard the man is thankfully out of the red. Just asleep. The visiting opportunities were strict because of his delicate condition.

It was then two new figures came walking down the hallway with fruit baskets and flowers in hand. They looked to be an odd pair. One looked like a shape of an egg with limbs. His whole upper body was miraculously encased in a yellow hoodie that stretched out to fill his shape. His face was covered by a black mask that made his eyes stand out. The other was a completely normal-looking lady minus the crab claw-like pigtails. She was in much more casual feminine attire with a red-pink blouse and knee length jeans.

"This is quite a crowd."

"Is that Endeavour and All Might?"

The group then turn to the two and Izuku's eyes instantly sparkled. "You're Fat Gum," he cheered and pointed to the egg-shaped hero. It wasn't long until his eyes wondered his little friend. Surprisingly he recognised her but not by name. "And you're a cop."

The woman laughed all be it a little nervously. "Who? Little old me. Oh, no sweetie I'm not a cop." She tried to deny but it was clear looking at the boy's sceptical eyes it wasn't working. Even so, she tried to counite her charade. She lifted her hands and poked out her middle and index finger in a scissoring motion. "I'm a hairdresser. Snip, snip, snippy."

It still didn't work on the child. "But I see you before in the back of hero footage. You show up a lot with Fat Gum."

That made the rounded hero laugh. He didn't know what was funnier. Seeing his old friend expression dropped now that her cover was discovered, by a child no less, was priceless. "he's got you there, Monika," he teased while his friend pouted. He then leaned closer to Izuku and whispered, "mind keep that between us. She does a lot of undercover work you see." The child instantly understood and nodded his head. They even covered their little mouth as a promise. Fat Gum couldn't help but chuckle more, but all stopped when asked what they were doing there. "We should ask you the same thing. We're here to see an old teacher."

"You mean Mr Arata," Tenko concluded.

The second the child said that their face dropped. Looked like he was right on the mark. "So, he is here," Monika said sadly while scratching the back of her neck. "We were kind of hoping the news was fake." It's a shock for any student to hear one of their old teachers had been rushed to emergency care. It was a miracle they even found out, but when you're a tight kit group with connections news travel fast. Both good and bad. It was then something hit her. An old memory resurfaced and made her blood cold. Fearfully she grabbed her friend's arms. "You don't think he tried to… You know. Again," she was cautious with her words. She had to be. Little ears were listening.

Fat Gum shook his head and gave her a reassuring smile. "He promised he wouldn't." He said these words, yet he only half believed them. It had been quite some time since they last saw their old teacher. They didn't leave him on a high note. That aside he pushed forward with his original question. "Anyway, what are you folks doing here?

It was both easy and hard to believe the number 2, I mean number 6 hero, hired their old teacher to teach his children. It was a shock that they left their school, but knowing what happened they also knew it was a likely outcome. They lost all contact with the man after he left Shiketsu. They completely disappeared. As much as they wanted to find him none of them knew if it would be a good time. Or right. It was a sombre topic for all of them. But hearing these children talk about their time with him made the two old students a little happier.

"He started teaching again. That's good to hear," Fat gum said along with a peaceful smile.

"Although, I can't see that guy being all smiley. He always had this stone face, so it was hard to read him half the time." Monika commented with scratching her chin. Her friend had to agree with her. Their old teacher wasn't exactly the smiley type so hearing the children repeat that was kind of mind-boggling. Even more so when remembering their first lesson with the man. "It was such a sore fest. None of us paid attention. Half of us fell asleep. Didn't help that this voice was so monotoned."

"But we paid the price during practical." Fat gum remarked while shivering at the foreign memory. He could almost feel the pain in his bones.

"Tell me about it," Monika groaned with a pout. She then brought her hands in prayer and looked up. "Thank you, Mr Sai, for saving us."

The sudden name brought the two other adults to a standstill. It was something neither expected to hear. At least not so casually. The children seemed more curious about it and so prompted the question of: "who's that?" Something the other two heroes hoped they wouldn't ask.

"Mr Sai was Arata sensei boyfriend turned husband." Monika explained excitedly while taking out her phone. She scrolled through it with a happy smile on her face while she elaborated. "He was such a sweet guy. Arata sensei always looked happier when he was around. He came often as a substitute teacher for the police course." Her smile soon dulled but her eyes never lost their fondness. Then she showed her phone to the curious children. The three boys huddle together to get a peek. There stood a younger Monika in her old Shiketsu uniform. Behind her stood a man pale as snow in a dark navy suit. Despite the professional outfit, the man playful winked to the camera while waving behind her. "I wasn't that strong and was always behind my classmates in the hero course. I thought I was a failure, but things turned around when I got work experience with Mr Sai. It was so cool with the way he played people to giving him information without even fighting. I switched to the police course the following year."

That's when Fat Gum cut in with a fun fact. "But Arata sensei still treated you like his student. Remember how he always scolded you for being late to class."

Monika looked mortified as she was forced to remember the memory. She buried her embarrassment in her palms. "It was so humiliating." The way the man used to yell at her in the hallway asking why she wasn't in class or came to class. It was only amplified by the fact it happened so often in the first month of the change.

Enji arched an eyebrow growing some interest in the subject. "Do you two make a habit of calling your teachers by their first name."

"It's not like we were given a choice. Arata sensei would always correct us. Said that the name was a gift he wanted to use. Then Mr Sai felt left out whenever he visited so we called them both on a first-name basis," Fat Gum explained. "They were a cute pair." The old students remembered their old teachers along the lovey dovely moments they were forced to witness. Like the time Arata forgot his lunch and Sai dropped in to deliver it. Since they didn't have any lunch themselves, so they eat it together shamelessly in front of the students. While feeding each other. Few stolen kisses on the cheek and occasionally a declaration of love. The list went on.

The more they heard the more one of them become brave enough to ask: "How did Mr Sai die?"

The sudden question brought nothing but silence. The fact it was said so innocently by the youngest there increased the shock value. All eyes aimed at the youngest Todoroki child. It was clear to see in their eyes that they knew it was an uncomfortable question. It was a risk saying it at all. Yet there was one other thing. A clear desire for answers. The other children looked completely confused. They knew nothing of this man before let alone the fact they were already gone. The adults on the other hand were chilled. They didn't know the child knew this fact. But none more horrified than the number one hero himself.

He didn't expect this conversation subject. The more he thought about it, the more he didn't know what he was trying to do by being there. So, he stood back and listened. Much to his dismay.

"You know," Fat Gum started breaking the silence. He took a deep breath and regrettably answered, "He died in a car crash. Arata sensei hasn't been the same since."

The first shot was fired at the number one hero's conscious.

"I still say that's a little odd. Mr Sai was usually the careful type when it comes to these things." Monika huffed slightly unconvinced.

There was the second. All Might felt a shiver ran down his spine. It was like a ghostly hand raked itself behind him. Piercing through his lungs and griped at his heart. It was hard to breathe let alone think. The only things that came to mind were the echoes of 'help'.

Fat Gum shrugged his friend off, "But that's what Arata sensei told us. He has no reason to lie."

If words could take form of knives, they were piercing his heart. Slowly twisting deeper giving him excruciating pain. His legs forced him back. He didn't belong there.

"I guess you're right," Monika finished.

But just because the subject was finished didn't mean the knives in at his heart didn't stop moving. It was almost unbearable. How it twisted its sharp tip at his heart. His legs forced him to step back further. Separating him from the group. That feeling of being out of place grew. He couldn't stay. So, he announced his leave and wandered off. Barely maintaining a normal pace or a straight smile.

Sharply, the hero turned a corner. It was an oddly dark one with little lighting other than a dim glow of a vending machine. A sudden parchedness in his throat pulled him in. Luckily the hall was empty and was meant with a dead end in a quite part of the facility. He could wander down and not be disturbed. Stepping forward into the dimly lit hallway, he pushed himself deeper into the shadows. The light behind him grew ever smaller. Randomly, he pushed a few buttons and grabbed himself for a drink. His then forced the liquid down, but it didn't taste of anything. It was as if he didn't drink anything. He stared down at the drink in his hand letting his mind wander. In walked deeper and deeper into his subconscious. Memories, doubts, they all wrapped around his mind. Consumed him to the point he couldn't feel or register the present in front of him.

Is this right?

Can he do nothing?

Was it even right of him to counite as if nothing happened?

Those questions plagued his conscience. Making the weight on his shoulders heavier. He is the symbol of peace. He must save everyone he can with a smile, but it was hard to smile. Painful even. To pretend and move on.

Suddenly, a pair of footsteps wandered closer. In the light way of the hall stood a familiar figure. They looked oddly taller when he was hunched down like this. When did he drop on his knees? He must after accident fallen at some point. What a mildly embarrassing position to be found like this. "Endeavour. What are you doing here?" All Might greeted although he didn't dare to face the fiery hero.

Enji huffed and leaned his back against the wall. His arms were crossed as he curious gazed down at his rival. "You're the hero that failed Arata?" He ripped the bandage off without any remorse.

It made the hero flinched in pain. Hearing those words be said so blatant stung. Guilty, he lowered his head. "It would seem so."

Enji stared at the so-called hero before him. He could hardly recognise him with the way he was hunched over. Hidden in the dark with a gloomy expression. He looked so sad. So pathetic. It was…"AHHHHHHAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The man howled out a hearty laugh. The pathetic way the man looked was too funny not to laugh at. At least for him.

All Might didn't appreciate being laughed at, given the situation. "I don't think this is a subject to be laughing about."

"HA! Forgive me if I find some sick amusement about this." It surely was funny. The man he viewed as a mountain. Never bowing to any sort of negative. Not that much was thrown at him. He was perfect. Even other heroes praised him as some sort of God that could solve all their problems. Protect them from the evils of the world. If they see him now, he wondered what they think. To know that he failed to this extent. A grin formed over his lips as he looked down at the so-called number 1 hero. "The all-mighty symbol of peace. Not so perfect after all. Perhaps talking your spot isn't so impossible."

Bitterly, All Might turned away while the man continued to laugh at him. However, he couldn't completely say that he didn't deserve it. If only a little. "I heard him…" he whispered. It was enough to make the other stop laughing for a moment. They watched as the previously unshakable symbol shook as he held himself tightly. Even they didn't have the stone heart not to laugh at that.

"The more I remember back to that day. The more I hear it. A voice asking for help. And I…I ignored it." In a rage, All Might smashed his fist against the polished floor. They cricked under pressure forming a clear dent in the shape of his fist. "How could I have let that happened!" He screamed not caring about anyone that could hear. Luckily, the only one who could, was Enji. "If I had just turned around. If I had just gone back and checked. I could have saved him. Both of them." He had to remember it wasn't just Sai that died that day but a small helpless child too. If he just turned around or just came back after the children already in his arms were safe. If he just checked instead of believing that voice was a figment of his imagination none of that would have happened. "How could I possibly call myself a symbol of peace if I allowed such a mistake to happen! How can I…" once again an image of a crying Arata flashed before his eyes. Theirs dishearten expressions. There wails of despair. It hurt him more than any punch could. "…even begin to say I'm sorry," he mumbled in his despair.

Silently, Enji listened to the hero's grief. Their voice grew weaker with each painful breath. As fun as it was to see his rival in such a pathetic state, it was equally annoying. The words he said were irritatingly familiar. "That's simple. You don't," he stated almost too coldly making All Might's head shot up in shock. The hero was about to argue back, but Enji beat him to it. "I may not have known Arata for long. But I know him well enough to know that he won't accept a 'I'm sorry'." It forced the hero to shut their mouth. It was clear they couldn't expect to be forgiven so easily, but to hear the painful truth only made the guilt grow. Enji could see it in their expression. It only annoyed him more. "You can't fix everything with a simple I'm sorry. You can say it a thousand times, but nothing can change what has been done." He knew that all too well. Thinking back to his ex-wife. Their sham marriage. His children. Both ones he lost and the ones he was lucky to keep. He could and has said sorry, but words can do little to fix the damage that had been done. He knew and accepted that. "And they have a right to not accept your apology."

All Might grew more confused. If he couldn't say I'm sorry they what? He still couldn't see the answer. "What should I do?"

"Atone," Enji answered as if it was that simple. But words are more easily said than done. "Make sure that mistake never happens again. Be through in your work. Double-check triple check if you have to." All Might tried to argue back. Saying he can't ignore a cry for help, but Enji snapped at the foolish retort. "Forget that. Just focus on the problem that is right in front of you before jumping to another. There are other heroes out there. I may have dropped from my number 2 place but even I know it's foolish to jump to the next case without completing the first to perfection. If you don't." His mind relayed back to the past yet again. Back to the media's harsh word that torn him off his second-place pillar and dragged him in the mud. How he began messing up on his missions leading to bigger accidents. "You never know if you might miss something or slip up."

"Endeavour, those were accidents." All Might tried to console. He knew of the incidents, but the media was too harsh.

"What happened to Arata's spouse was also an accident." He argued back. "Look at where that got you," he said almost smugly. It was sickly enjoyable to watch his rival's face turn, but he couldn't completely savour it. They weren't the only ones to make mistakes. "I'm just lucky that no one died, and I have a decent team backing me up."

It made perfect sense the more All Might thought about it. However, the problem he currently faced was no simple one. No matter what angle he looked at it the problem only grew more puzzling. The pieces don't fit. Many locked doors were placed before him, preventing him from seeing a perfect solution. He clenched his fist tight as that desire grew. "I still want to do something for him. To make things at least kind of right."

Enji clicked his tongue at the comment. The noble fool. "That's something you have to figure out on your own. I can't spoon feel every answer to you," he bitterly spat before turning his back. "And get up already. You're the symbol of peace. Grovelling in self-pity isn't a good look for you," he then walked away, never turning his back once.

Almost in awe, All Might watched the fiery hero walk away closer to the light. Perhaps that's why they looked brighter than usual. Even without the aid of his flames. The man always seemed unapproachable. The type of person that will burn you if you get too close. While that was still very much true even fire can be gentle and can light a path to follow. "Endeavour." All Might called out making the other stop in their tracks. "Thank you."

Enji didn't bother to acknowledge the thanks. He didn't even do anything. All he did was said his peace. What his rival chooses to do with it was up to them. But now was not the time to think about that. There was someone else he needed to see.

It felt like forever since the children were finally allowed to see their comatose teacher. They gather around the sorry sight. The man had an oxygen mask that covered half his face. It was the only thing indicating he was alive with the way I fogged up every so often. There was also the monitor that let out a consistent heartbeat every so often. His long-curled hair fanned out across his pillow. Some strands daggled from the edge, yet they were still. He had been completely still since he was brought in. Layers of bandages wrapped around his forward head. They were pure white which meant they must have been changed recently or he finally stopped bleeding. Hopefully the latter.

The older students went first. They each placed their gifts on a small side table being careful not to disturb. They then gaze at the still body before them and said their peace. Encouraging words that they're waiting for him to wake up as well as something of a reunion they wanted to invite him to.

"When he wakes up, he'll remember us again right?" One of the children asked a little fearfully.

The faces the two older students made didn't ease the children's worries. They whispered to themselves on how much they should say. Once they reached an agreement they answered: "Probably." Something like this has happened before. Thankfully the damage was minor only forgetting a full school week while being unconscious in the same period. However, there were also gaps in his memory usually connecting to a person's entire existence. One of the other teachers wanted to be friendly with him and were making progress until the incident. Arata didn't recognise them at all putting their progress back to square one.

"It's Just hard to tell. We'll have to check when he wakes up," Monika admitted making the children shiver with worry. The two older students said not to worry and waved goodbye to the Todoroki family. Leaving them be with the unconscious man.

The remaining group stared in silence. The only sound was the beeping. Touya stepped forward first. "Hey teach. You are doing ok in there?" He asked casually as if this was like any other conversation. "And you complain about me sleeping too much. Pretty hypocritical of you, teach. So, wake you why don't you?" He half-joked hoping he would get a response. He got none.

Then Tenko timidly walked up next to them. He stared down at the still body. His hands itched with the desire to touch. Feel their warmth but he faltered. "Mr Arata. You'll wake up soon, right?" He asked hopefully. "You promised you'd tell me some original grim fairy tales, and show me quirk control, and help me with English writing and stuff." His hand twitched in a scratching motion. Although he was scratching nothing but air. "You also said you'd adopt me," he whispered. Almost crying. "So, you better remember."

Izuku trotted in next. A golden locket in his tiny hands. "You dropped this," he said while tie tiptoeing over the bed and carefully placing the item in the man's hands. "Please wake up soon."

Eventually, the doctor came saying that visitations were over. The children groaned begging for more time but were refused. The patient needed rest. Each one was shooed out the door with Enji rounding them off at the tail end. Before leaving he turned around. He stared at the still body. "Arata. You better wake up. We're waiting for you." He then left allowing the door to close behind him.

Once the door has shut the hand that curled around the locket twitched.

AN: this event was the strongest reason I chose Arata over anyone else. Sure, Aizawa would have been the fan favourite. Sure, Makoto would have worked fine, and I could play with the vigilante crew. But none of them could give me this. A scenario of which breaks All Might's perfection. Again, I don't hate All Might. I just think his view of helping society is stupid. And how society continues to prop him up like some god is stupid. In the end of the day All Might is human and being human means making mistakes.

As for the association. You may have your own thoughts. Is it better to be blissfully ignorant or know the hard truth? I say both have their ups and downs which every you sway.

Also, Monika is not an OC. She's a cop form the vigilante's series that worked with Fat Gum. Since Fat Gum was a Shiketsu student, I thought it would be nice to have her join him as older students of Arata. Also provided me with more stabbing materials to throw at All Might's heart.

Faceless – thank you

Middernacht- (looks at the end of this event) Well you're not wrong.

Anyways that's all for now. next time…Arata takes at trip down memory lane