Chapter 13

The following Monday, Misa was preparing for her first day at Todoroki Agency. She had her hero costume on; her black catsuit with black boots that hadn't been updated much since high school. Her heart was full and her blood ran with excitement as she drove to the towering building with a huge T on the outside. "Here we go…"

As soon as the elevator doors opened, people's heads turned to see the hero appear. Butterflies floated in her stomach as eyes burned into her; no doubt the news of her transfer had reached everyone in the office. "Hey Shira!" A familiar voice sounded near the water cooler. Kaminari waved excitedly at her and pulled her in for a tight hug. "I heard you were joining us, welcome!"

"Thanks Chargebolt, I'm so glad to be here. Can you tell me where Shoto's office is?"

"Yeah for sure, just keep going straight and you'll see it. We'll catch up later okay?" Kaminari smiled and returned to the group of heroes by the water cooler. "Dude...she's badass; she took down the Russian Cartel by herself."

"That's her? Damn. I wonder who she'll get paired up with." One hero asked Kaminari. Misa smiled as she overheard the conversion as she departed in search of her new boss.

The large office was not hard to miss as the windows gave a clear view of the Icy Hot hero. He waved her in with a warm smile and a tight hug. "I'm so happy you decided to join us."

"Trust me...I'm happy too. Shoto, thank you so much for everything you did with my contract. I seriously could not repay you."

"You're one of us now. We go way back and I do not expect anything in return." He told her and offered her a seat. "We run things right here at my agency. You work the hours you are given, work more if you want or need to, but I do not expect you to run yourself into the ground."

"I already like the sound of that." Misa smiled as Todoroki gave her a wide smile.

"Right? Also, everyone is given a partner so the workload is not overwhelming and your salary...with your experience and education...is this." Shoto started and gave her a new contract. She read over the document to see where he was pointing and her heart stopped when she saw the number.

"You're serious? This is what I was supposed to be paid?"

"You've been a full time hero for eight years Shira. This is standard for your level of popularity and experience. Plus, you get your marketing contract royalties too. You should be pretty set for life."

"Should? For sure I am...thank you so much."

"Don't thank me, you did this. It's what you rightfully deserve." Shoto smiled and saw Misa sign the contract quickly. "When Bakugou told me what you were going through with Ayami, I knew I had to do something. I just wish I had known about it sooner." He told her, tapping his thumb on his desk.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I should have known something was off." Shoto waved his hand to stop the apology and smiled.

"You're here now and our lawyers will take care of him." He started and then cleared his throat. "So your partner, I was hoping would be Bakugou. Is that okay with you?"

"I would have thought he would already have a partner?" Misa queried innocently.

"He kind of floats between people; he hasn't really shaken that "Lone Wolf" mentality from high school. I'm his most consistent partner other than Kaiya, only because he can stand me the most; which isn't saying a whole lot."

"So why are you pairing me up with him?"

"Because you two work well together; and he likes you." Shoto simply said with a small smile on his lips. "Trust me; you'll be fine."

As they were wrapping up the paperwork and the legalities of the agency, a knock sounded on Shoto's window and he waved at the person to enter. "Ah, your partner seems to have returned from his patrol this morning." Bakugou stepped into the office and shot a smirk at Misa who blushed.

"Were you talking about me Icy Hot?" He asked as he sat next to Misa.

"Yep, just getting Misa here caught up in the ways of the agency and what it is like to be partnered with you."

"I don't like partners." He shrugged before Misa smacked his arm. "Ow, what?"

"You'll like me. Or else." She smirked, flexing her claws. Shoto chuckled to himself at the interaction and handed Misa an ID card and a specialized code for entry into the building.

"Now Bakugou, I trust you can show Misa around the agency before your next patrol?"

"Of course Icy Hot. Come on girl, let's get the boring shit out of the way." He scoffed, leading Misa out of the office. Todoroki chuckled to himself as the pair left, mentally noting he may have to draw up some interagency relationship papers soon if Momo and his instincts were right about the pair.

The agency was a lot bigger than Misa had expected, but it was warm and welcoming which she appreciated. "What patrols do you do?" She asked Bakugou.

"Well, we now do a morning security round before we come in at nine around the ten mile radius. Then in the afternoon, if nothing major has popped up, we do it again. Anything that happens between the two rounds, we deal with."

"Like by a caste system? The major problems go to you and trickle down?"

"Not really; we're treated pretty fairly around here. That being said, if one Quirk is more useful for one issue than another, then that hero goes. You and I are strong and quick; so we can be used pretty much anywhere."

"Is there anyone else here from UA? I saw Chargebolt earlier." Misa queried as Bakugou showed her the lounge.

"Other than you, me, Flamena and Icy Hot? Yeah, Chargebolt and Suneater are here. Red Riot comes by to help out depending on how busy his agency is."

"I figured everyone from UA would want to work with Shoto." Misa commented until Bakugou scoffed. "What?"

"Other than the graduates who were offered jobs straight out of school, Icy Hot had to turn heros away. He wants specific strengths here; not just friends."

"Who did he turn away?" Misa asked, remembering that Momo, Jirou, Momo and Tsu had offers before they graduated and Tokoyami found work relatively quickly in Osaka. Iida was running his brothers' agency and Deku had formed his own agency with Ururavity.

"Mineta of course, and Cellophane. That was a shock; I don't think they've spoken since." Bakugou told her, stretching his arms over his head.

"Seems like he wants endurance and strength here."

"Yeah, he almost convinced Tentacole to join but he had another offer. Then when you didn't accept his offer, he kinda took it personally until Kaiya convinced him otherwise."

"I'm glad he understands it wasn't because of him...I'm happy to be here." Misa smiled, glancing at a blushing Bakugou.

"Me too."

"What's with all the hero names? We know their given names." Misa queried as Bakugou showed her the office she would work out of.

"Yeah but the other workers here don't. Still need to keep identities somewhat under wraps." Bakugou explained while Misa nodded.

The day flew by with very little action in the day; Misa and Bakugou mostly spent it on patrol and catching up. Bakugou would never admit it, but he was extremely happy that Misa was working with him; even with his disdain of partners. They worked well together in school and during battles; why would a decade later be any different? He could tell Misa was happier too, her smile hadn't faded all day. As five o'clock hit, Misa snapped Bakugou out of his daydream.

"Let me buy you a drink for all the help you've given me over the past few weeks. And for going MIA during the Ayami incident." She offered, seeing Bakugou begin to argue. "I will not take no for an answer."

"Well you seem to leave me no choice Shira." Her code name on his tongue sent shivers down Misa's spine as she tried to shake it off. "I saw that."

"That's the first time you've called me that all day."

"Get used to it." He scoffed, getting to his feet. "Ok, drinks. But I'm choosing the place."

"Fair enough." Misa smiled and walked to the elevator with him but ran into Kaiya as she came bounding out. "Hey Flamena!" The girls hugged and Bakugou nodded his greeting.

"Hey guys; I'm assuming Shoto is still working?" She asked, peering over to his window clad office. The man was hunched over a pile of paperwork, tapping his thumb on his desk. "He really needs to hire an assistant." She said sadly.

"We're going for a drink Kaiya if you two would care to join?" Misa offered, sharing an understanding look with Kaiya.

"I'd love to, but we are meeting with Shoto's mother tonight. But have a drink for us!" Kaiya told Misa who nodded in understanding. Bakugou's hand found Misa's lower back and herded her towards the elevator.

"Bye Kaiya!" Misa waved as the doors slid closed. Kaiya waved in return and felt Shoto brush up behind her.

"Were you filing the paperwork?" Kaiya asked her boyfriend, who chuckled.

"The paperwork is prepared...we'll just have to date it when they're ready." He answered Kaiya, pecking her cheek. "Ready?" He offered his arm to Kaiya and led her back to the elevator.

With their drinks in hand, Bakugou found the pair a cozy booth in the lounge to slide into with Misa. "Why here? I've never heard of it." Misa asked, noting the dimmed light and jazzy atmosphere.

"It's one of my secret places. I tend to come here alone after a long day; but it is my favorite lounge." Bakugou told her, sipping on his whiskey while Misa sipped on hers. "I thought vodka was your poison." Remembering the taste of whiskey on Misa's tongue in the closet in high school. A rush of warmth flooded Bakugou as his cheeks blushed.

"It is but I like whiskey too. It holds fond memories." Misa told him, her smile never fading. "Well, cheers to new beginnings and to you and Shoto for saving me." She toasted, clinking her glass to Bakugou's.

"I'm glad you're happy. When will you join in at the training with the kids again? Now that your schedule is more free. Maybe this weekend?" Bakugou asked her, seeing her eyes dart to the table. "What?"

"I have a date this weekend." Bakugou felt his heart drop as the words tumbled out of Misa. "I could cancel...I just met him on my last mission at Ayami's. He's a cop."

"No you should definitely go...you deserve to have some fun." Bakugou smirked at her, trying to cover the pounding pain in his chest. Misa looked at him questionaly before he nudged her playfully. "Hopefully he has all his teeth unlike Sumo." Misa chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"That would be nice."

The rest of the night was spent with the pair in jovial conversation and reminiscing. Bakugou spent the time while Misa was talking and laughing to soak in the happiness he felt around her until the painful reminder that she may not have felt the same way about him like he did for her. If she did, she wouldn't be going on a date. Misa was a beautiful girl that deserved the world; he just wished he'd be the one to give it to her. The bar closed down and he hugged her as a good night gesture before turning to go home before her voice stopped him.

"I'm very thankful to have you in my life Katz. You will always be special to me."

Her words stabbed his heart as she waved to him when she turned to walk home. He knew she meant it as a compliment but frustration piled into his veins instead. "If that were true...why am I not enough for you?"