Takoba National Stadium

(IZUMI)

If you had asked Izumi to name the world's most famous heroes, she would've started the list off with Edgeshot and likely hit All Might's name somewhere in the middle. A few heroes from China, that one Australian hero with the Crocodile-quirk, and a couple of others scattered around the globe were part of the international lingua-franca of heroism. Of the American heroes, there were two everyone knew: Captain Celebrity and Star and Stripe.

Star and Stripe was here…in front of her.

She didn't know what Star and Stripe was doing at her Provisional License exam or what the woman said when she suddenly dropped into their rescue mission and started blowing things up. Still, she got the point despite the language barrier.

"Hello!" said Izumi in English, with a stilted accent that was more exaggerated than necessary. Everything had gone quiet in her head. "Can you stop?"

The tall, blond American woman said something, but Izumi was too fascinated by the fact that she was wearing a literal American flag to try and understand. Some people liked to make fun of All Might for embodying that quintessential role of a comic book hero that had long seeped into the global culture from the minds of Americans, but Izumi thought it was his niche like Edgeshot's was being a ninja. Everyone had their own style of heroism, giving the world of hero fandom plenty of power-scaling fights like Endeavor v. All Might or the more popular Star v. All Might.

Izumi looked for her classmates, seeking out Katsuki to see his reaction. Once, over the summer, they got into an hours-long debate about it because Izumi thought it funny to be contrary. His increasingly elaborate examples and insistence that "All Might would crush her to dust," were a source of amusement for her.

Waving her hands in the air, Izumi cocked her head to find that nothing had happened to stop the woman's destructive path. She shook them and then clapped them together before trying again.

"IZUMI!" yelled Jirou from somewhere nearby. "Your quirk is not going to work here!"

"Why not?!"

"She put a rule on the arena. It'll negate our quirks for the time we're in here."

"What? What's that mean?"

"It's her quirk! Deku explained it all," said Ochako, running past as she guided an old man away from the raging hero.

She mentally clocked out after the second round, so she hadn't really paid attention to anything.

Izumi remained stumped about what she could or should do. There were actors who needed to be rescued from the buildings and points to be earned, but there was also a villain. In these kinds of situations, there were a few of them in Class 1-A who had superior combat skills outside of their quirks.

Izumi reached over her shoulder, pulled the katana out of its sheath, and held it in front of her. The silver blade rippled in the sunlight. It felt comfortable and right, weighted according to her build. It was a bit silly to have a sword when her quirk was so powerful, but the discipline of learning a deadly craft and using it non-lethally carried over into her hero training. Skill, not force. Negotiation before violence.

In truth, she hadn't done a very good job of following that.

"Do you know how to use that?" asked someone skeptically. "I thought it was just to look cool."

Izumi nodded, "I do."

Katsuki was looking at them strangely. His face was ashen with disbelief as his gaze caught Midoriya's. Before Katsuki could take a step, Kirishima's hands wrapped around his arms, holding him back.

His carefully plotted world, the one where he was on top, was fracturing with every passing second.

Midoriya, more than any of them, would hold the advantage in the final stage. Even if Aizawa-sensei regularly turned off their quirks, none of them knew what it was like to live with the stigma of being quirkless.

Katsuki wasn't the only one stuck in their head. Aoyama was on his knees, shattered and breaking, as tears slid down his face.

"Aoyama-kun, you must tell me what's wrong!" Tenya seemed calm, but the slight hitch in his voice gave away his distress.

"You're going to pass out if you don't breathe," said Momo, observing his reaction. "It's a rescue simulation. We don't really need our quirks for that."

"It doesn't hurt anymore," whispered Aoyama, clutching his torso. "It doesn't hurt."

"Were you injured?"

"Aoyama-kun's quirk gives him frequent stomach pains. He's been brave to overcome it."

"I'm not brave! I'm not!"

"You are a bit of a wimp," agreed Mina, holding her hands against her hips. "But, you're also at U.A., which means you're already better than half these losers, stomachaches or not."

Aoyama shook his head, burying his face into his knees and began to cry earnestly, attracting her classmates' attention. Tenya kneeled by his side, patting his back to comfort him. Izumi winced as Mina vowed to keep her mouth shut next time.

The distraction pulled her attention away from the real damage happening. Even though some actors brought out were trained civilians, the damage Star did with a single blistering punch put them in danger.

Fight or save—that was the question put before them, and the odds were undoubtedly stacked toward saving, but Star prevented them from doing so.

A girl crawled out of the nearby building, standing before Star. Izumi knew if she didn't reach the girl a split before Star did, she would be trapped in the falling debris. That thought drove her on harder.

She was overthinking like Shouto did.

Sweat ran down her back, making her costume stick to her skin. It was too hot without the cooling effect her quirk lent her. A choking heat that made her temper short. The arena passed in a blur as she ran.

Izumi slid roughly onto the ground and sliced the flying debris in two. She lunged for the girl, covering her head with her body until she was sure nothing would follow. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you!"

"Let's get you over to the evac-tent. Parents?"

The girl shot her a thumbs-up and winked, "I'm alone!"

Izumi smiled, holding a hand to her back as she moved her along. She handed her off to Midoriya, who was running back and forth frequently. He seemed unaffected by the challenge of being a hero without his quirk, a bright, easy smile on his face. One of relief and confidence, almost as if he had waited for this his entire life.

"Don't show off," said Izumi, with a wink.

Midoriya flushed immediately and started stuttering.

"When you think of something to stop Star, let me know," called Izumi, running off. Though she was thinking of Shouto and his quiet unease, she didn't feel the same crippling anxiety she used to in the past. He would be alright.

She looked over her shoulder once.

Katsuki still hadn't moved.

(SHOUTO)

"Do you want to know why you fail?" Sir Nighteye had asked while dodging another one of his attacks. Shouto felt his temper growing and feared where it was coming from. He wasn't angry. He got annoyed often. Maybe, he had felt true anger against Stain for hurting Iida and Midoriya, against the League of Villains for what they had done to his sister…and—now wasn't the time to admit he was also angry at Touya.

But, as soon as he thought about it, he could think of nothing else. Touya was more like him than either of them realized. He'd done the same to Izumi. Shouto pushed her away in favor of Midoriya or Tenya because the burden of friendship was easier to swallow than the realization that Izumi hadn't forgotten about him for a single moment.

Shouto remembered being six, waiting with excitement in his room for Izumi to sneak in once more, only for her to never come. Days turned into weeks, and a seed cemented that perhaps she was tired of him. That she, like Rei, felt the same terror in loving him.

"W-where is…"

Fuyumi turned, looking at him with an expectant face. "What was that, Shouto?"

"…Izumi…" He mumbled, but she heard it.

"What do you mean? Dad didn't tell you?"

At this, a new terror rose. "Is she hurt?"

"No. No, of course not." Fuyumi's mouth went flat, and her eyes narrowed at some specter in the distance. "She's…at school. She's living there now."

"When will she be back?"

"I don't know. Dad got upset with her, and she had to stay there. I'll talk him out of it, but until I do, I can tell her anything you want me to."

Shouto shook his head. It would be better to not make the situation worse. He could read between the lines—Izumi and Endeavor had fought…likely about him. He doubted Fuyumi could say anything to change Endeavor's mind.

It was better this way, he thought. If Izumi wasn't home, she was free of him and Endeavor.

But the hurt remained.

As he struggled to hold Sir Nighteye back, Shouto let the fleeting thoughts melt away. This was the wrong time to revisit the past.

Sir Nighteye looked at him. There was a hint of sadness in his gaze, a troubled tightness to his mouth. "I don't mean to single you out, Todoroki-kun."

"Shouto. My name is Shouto."

"Yes, it is. It will be. As a hero name, it suits you."

Shouto looked to Inasa, catching his eye. Their animosity needed to take a backseat, but Shouto could still feel the burn of anger at his words.

"Someone will say something to you that angers you. You'll turn around. You'll defend yourself. And one of the other examinees suffers because of your pride."

"It won't happen."

"It will. I've seen everything that happens in this exam, and my predictions are never wrong."

"I'm not the only one with pride, then," snapped Shouto.

"Fact over opinion. There's something of value in your past with Endeavor which—"

He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"HEY!" shouted Inasa, climbing back to his feet. "IF YOU'RE SAYING THAT BECAUSE OF ME, THEN TAKE IT BACK!"

"I can defend myself," said Shouto. The words came out harsher than he intended.

The thing that Shouto couldn't escape was often himself. Fuyumi wanted to love him. Izumi wanted to love him. His family saw something in him that was worthy of kindness and tenderness, but Shouto didn't know what it was.

"I'm trying to help you," said Inasa, grinning.

"I don't want your help."

"Well, you've got it, so get that blood boiling—"

"ENOUGH WITH THE BLOOD! I'LL HANDLE THIS ON MY OWN!"

"See," said Sir Nighteye, a pleased expression on his face. "I was right."

And then he struck them both.

Shouto defended, the fire flaring out in a fury. There was a hard impact to the air, like a clap of thunder with no sound and heat. Pure heat without limit. The violence of it made him cry out in sharp pain. The air wavered around them, distorting in a ring. The fire was gone as soon as it flared.

Sir Nighteye looked stunned as he came crashing forward. Shouto fell back against the wall and pulled Inasa to his feet, clutching his own burned shoulder. He had mistakenly lashed out to those closest to him already. He wouldn't repeat it.

Shouto's gaze lifted, feeling the shift in the air as his classmates joined him.

"You're hurt," said Sir Nighteye, stunned still. Had something changed, Shouto wanted to ask. A set future had no place in his world.

"I'm over all that crap," shouted Shouto, angry but not. "Endeavor might live in me, but he's not me. I'm not going to hurt anyone. I'm better than that."

Inasa was looking at him too. Apologetic but gleeful, full of energy. Shouto found him a bit tiresome, but he could understand where they had clashed and where his fault lay.

Sir Nighteye leaned forward, hands coming up with a nearly regretful look on his face. As he opened his mouth to say something, the air around them exploded into a cluster of bright sparks. Bakugou.

Shouto smiled. Whatever Sir Nighteye might have said was lost as his classmates, and fellow heroes came to the rescue. He was Shouto—that was all he needed to be to move forward. Not victorious or strong, just himself.

Despite this, Shouto didn't understand how Inasa had gone from antagonistic to latching onto him in the third round. Camie had joined him, and now he was stuck trying to shake them off.

Listening to the instructions made it clear that the HPSC was testing them on their character as much as they were on their physical abilities. But Shouto had never been without his quirk. Aizawa-sensei never disciplined him the way he frequently did Kaminari, Mina, and Izumi—all three often set their quirks off in class. Bakugou did too, but never in front of Sensei if he could avoid it.

"So, you're not going to give me your number?" asked Camie.

"Right now? We're taking a test." All of Shiketsu was getting on his nerves.

"He's still getting his blood boiling!" said Inasa, pumping his fists. "It's going to be a good, old-fashioned brawl." He struck the air and almost hit Shouto at the same time.

"Can't you two…" If he asked them to leave, he'd fit into Inasa's vision of him. "…we should be helping."

"Right, let's go!" cheered Camie, hugging his arm. "A total babe like you is a heart-stopper!"

He paused in his walk, peering into the broken window of the building for anyone in need of a rescue, but found no one. "Heart-stopper? That's not my quirk."

Camie laughed, flapping a hand in the air.

They weren't that bad if he tuned them out.

Shouto stopped cold, holding his hand out to silence Inasa and Camie's bickering.

Somewhere, there was the sound of a child's cry. Shouto wondered if it had sounded the same at their house, if people heard it and walked past with no thought to stop and help. He won't be that hero…he won't be that kind of person.

The weaknesses Endeavor saw were his strengths.

How much time had he wasted holding onto his father's words and actions?

They went into the building. Shouto was first because he was lighter and quicker and more careful than the two of them. A single move could undo the collapsing structure and make it fall over their heads. He found a civilian quickly. A young girl with a mutant quirk that lent her wide, sunny eyes and a bright orange beak.

"I'm Shouto," he said softly. He held out his hand, palm up, to the little girl. Though he knew she was just an actor hired for this test, Shouto thought of his mother, Fuyumi and Izumi. He wanted to be a hero for them.

"I'm here to help."

(KATSUKI)

He didn't know why he couldn't move. All he knew was that if he wanted to pass, he had to, but his body seized and froze. Why did it feel like everything was working against him? He was supposed to—he tried to move on and be the kind of person he thought was right, the one that Best Jeanist fought to reveal.

Every cell in his body was rejecting the premise of this damn exam. First, he was told he would fail and now the source of his power was taken away.

His eyes drifted to his classmates and the other extr—students running left and right performing rescues. Fighting Star even though they were useless and powerless.

Quirkless.

"…it's for him…."

Kirishima looked at him in surprise, catching the whisper. "What?"

"The exam. All Might. Star. Nighteye. Kamino Ward—he didn't come because he had Deku. All of this—this whole damn exam is to make him a hero."

"Bakugou…" he said, reproachfully, almost scolding.

"They wanted me." His voice cracked over the words. "They should've gotten me. Me…instead of…a bunch of damn villains picked me, and he won't even look at me."

Kirishima frowned. "So what?"

Katsuki looked up at him, quiet, searching.

Thinking was difficult still – touch tender. The noise and smells around him invade like falling bombs. Kirishima touched his hand to Katsuki's shoulder and retracted it, face screwed up as if something bitter had dropped on his tongue.

"You're here too," Kirishima said, for no reason other than to remind him. "If you fail, you fail. You get back up, right? Doesn't matter what Midoriya does because when it comes down to it, the only thing you've got to prove is what you can do."

Katsuki looked at him and slowly blinked. Kirishima added, "If it's the idea of winning without your quirk, then…this might be harsh…but…get over it. The Bakugou Katsuki, I know, could've gotten stuck with the crappiest quirk and still decided to be a hero. "

"That's it?" asked Katsuki in disbelief.

Kirishima grinned fiercely. "Yeah, man. You want anything more? I can start over and—"

"Shut up," said Katsuki, smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It fell again as an anxious fear rolled through his gut. Midoriya was weaving around the fighting, guiding an old lady toward the evacuation tent set up by students from one of the other schools.

He wanted answers.

He wanted to know why Best Jeanist had to die.

He wanted to know why he always felt like a total failure.

But beneath all his desires, Katsuki was desperate for reassurance from All Might that he wasn't losing his way, that the hero he aspired to be was someone worthy of an even greater legacy. Katsuki didn't think he could handle the weight of who he had been without the knowledge that the dream he held was still possible.

Growing up, being quirkless was a weakness that Katsuki firmly believed in. Deku cemented it for him, but now he understood that it was never Deku who was weak but himself. All his ego was born from the fear that people would see him for who he truly was. An apology would never suffice.

Star knocked Shinsou aside. She tore through his capture weapon with brute strength and made her way forward.

Izumi and Mina stood nearby, watching her carefully. Plotting, Katsuki realized as he caught Mina's quick-moving lips and Izumi's eyes flit around. The pretty boy from earlier was on the roof opposite them, waiting for something too.

Katsuki hadn't done much more but yell at a few civilians after rescuing them.

"Ready?" asked Kirishima.

"I was just warming up."

"That's…familiar."

It was Izumi's excuse when she was feeling too lazy to fight. He doesn't need much more to move after that.

Star was caught in a tricky web of flowing capture weapon their rookie-transfer carried around. Izumi was there too, always in the thick of things. The sword she carried was finally taken from its dusty sheath and put to use. Katsuki knew by her bright smile that she was enjoying the game.

"WATCH OUT!" shouted Shinsou, flying forward as the capture weapon holding Star and Stripe back snapped in two under the woman's brutal strength.

Katsuki caught the end of it, slipping forward and seeing the slight gap in her defense. He pulled, flipped over her, and brought the woman crashing down. Frog-girl's tongue lashed out—less quirk, more her.

"Shōji, now!"

Arms, as Katsuki affectionally called him, wrapped his arms around Star, holding her up with a shaking grip. He's one of the physically strongest in their class, along with the Sweets-kid and Deku, who can surprisingly bench press more than most.

"Oi, you." Katsuki dragged Shinsou toward him with a grin. "That shit's pretty cool, but you'll need more firepower."

"Great," drawled out Shinsou. "Now, let me go."

"You're not getting it," said Katsuki. He pulled a grenade from his belt, carefully tossing it in the air. "Firepower.

Shinsou looked at him and then smirked. "No, I get it. A little sacrifice never hurt anyone, right?"

"That hurts," roared Izumi, clutching her nose as she caught a brutal punch across the face. "What are you even saying?!"

Star spoke again, laughing as Deku finally stood in front of her, a determined look on his face. "I'm saying you'll need to do better to beat a villain!"

Izumi's sword cracked beneath her hold.

"Crap," they all said at once. One thing everyone in Class 1-A learned was not to get between Izumi and her attempts at real-world cosplaying. She had gone full Vagabond on them once for even suggesting the sword was a prop.

(It was. Katsuki knew it was because Izumi told him she wanted to look cool, even if she didn't use it much.)

Izumi's lower lip jutted out, wobbling. Mina pulled her away.

Deku stepped forward. Bakugou mirrored him, flanked by Kirishima and Shinsou.

"It's going to fucking hurt," said Katsuki, pulling another grenade from his belt. "Kirishima and I will do it. You—" He pointed to Shinsou. "—hold her down."

Shinsou rolled his shoulders, "The irony of defeating an American with a bomb."

Kirishima paused and looked at him. "Did you have to say it?"

"It's funny," defended Shinsou.

Katsuki's lips twitched, finding the humor too. "Fucking right it is."

"When should we start—"

They were already running off, laughing as they raced toward Star and Stripe. Deku's eyes widened. It took a split second for him to read Katsuki's gaze before he threw himself forward.

Victory, decided Katsuki, was not what he once thought it to be.

Keeping a careful eye on the civilians his classmates were evacuating, he guided the hero away from them. Todoroki caught his eye, a girl pressed against his chest as he transferred her to Yaoyorozu's and Tenya's care.

After he passed, the next mountain to climb was between him and Deku.

(IZUMI)

Izumi rolled to the ground with a groan, barely making it out of the way of the brilliant explosion Katsuki set off. It was one thing to train with a learned swordsman and another to apply the techniques in a real fight. Under the law, she couldn't maim or seriously injure her opponent, especially if using quirks wasn't involved. Star was a powerhouse in every sense of the word.

"I got you!" shouted Mina, scurrying toward her and pulling her away as Shinsou moved forward. He was brilliant, quick-footed and intelligent. Unlike any of them, it was clear that he was wholly in his element.

For all her training, Izumi fumbled over the idea that she couldn't use her quirk. It reminded her too much of the League, of how they had snatched away a piece of her so mercilessly.

Touya had done that. He had been there, wanting to be rid of her, but carrying on when it was clear she wouldn't leave.

"Hey, it's alright," said Mina as her breathing came out in shallow gasps. "You're fine. We're all fine!"

No, nothing was fine because Izumi had purposefully ignored it until now. She could move forward, one step at a time, hanging onto the hopes that Touya was alive, so she could return to the semi-happiness of her childhood with her siblings, but it was a dream without meaning.

Touya hurt her, conspired to take away her quirk, steal her blood, and kidnap her classmate. He killed people.

She was dumb…beyond dumb…what had she been thinking to burden herself and Shouto with stopping him when it wasn't their fault? It wasn't, and she would be no different from the jaded girl who fought everyone if she didn't realize that.

Touya needed help, real help. Adult help. Doctors. Therapists. Everything that was piled onto Izumi after her breakdown at the final exams.

"Maybe we should…."

"She's fine," said Shouto, showing up on Mina's side like a phantom. Shouto pressed his hand to her shoulder, squeezing lightly. Izumi inhaled and felt her stress escape as she exhaled.

"Warn someone!" barked Mina, clutching her heart.

"Sorry," said Shouto, offering her a smile.

Mina laughed, waving him off. "I was just surprised. You're so quiet!"

"Left! Go left!" shouted Inasa at the top of his lungs as he joined in on the chaotic foray to weaken the world's strongest woman. "I got her!"

He picked Star up, slamming her into the crater that Katsuki's explosion created. Shouto jumped into the pit with Katsuki and Midoriya. They were getting beat up, but something kept everyone on their feet. It didn't matter if their attacks did anything to Star. All that mattered was containing her in one spot so the evacuation could finish. If that meant they were cannon fodder for the hero's attacks, then they had to suck it up and deal with it.

She didn't know what kept dragging her to her feet or why anyone kept fighting, but her friends were with her, still looking for the strength to keep going against one of the world's strongest heroes.

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" roared Midoriya, punching Star clean in the face. Though it didn't have the impact of his usual quirk-backed punches, Midoriya was strong. Star said something to him and then to Katsuki, who grinned, hungry for battle, but there was a different gleam in his eyes.

He tilted his head back, staring at Star with a proud grin. "I win."

Her brow furrowed, and the capture weapon weaved around the pit and exploded in a fury. He didn't need his quirk when his costume was equipped with stored sweat and igniters. Katsuki dropped, rolling out of the way as Deku followed up with a final counter, punching Star one final time.

Star's head snapped back. She stumbled.

"TIME!"

Izumi and Mina rushed over to them at once. Izumi wrapped her arms around Shouto, hugging him tightly and then jumped onto Katsuki's back.

"It's over. It's over," whispered Izumi by his ear.

"We passed. We did! Look!" Katsuki turned his head with Kirishima to look at the board where a list of all those who had passed.

His name was there, near the end. The points to his name were on the edge of failure, but it was there. He had passed.

He fell forward, arms wrapping around both for a brief moment before falling forward onto them, propelled by Mina climbing onto her back, shouting something about a party. Izumi grumbled, trapped under Mina's arm and Katsuki's chest, but laughed along to whatever she was saying.

"Momo!" Izumi pulled Momo into a fierce hug as they headed toward the waiting room. The HPSC made quick work of the arena, sending them off to clear it away. "We're heroes!"

"A little more decorum," whispered Momo to them, tilting her head ever so slightly to reveal that not everyone had passed their exam. Izumi composed herself, nodding firmly. Aoyama, still crying, Satō, and Kōda had all failed. Izumi could read their disappointment plain and clear.

"Sorry," said Kirishima, frowning a bit.

"What the hell are you saying sorry for?" snarled Katsuki, turning to them. "Oi, dweebs, Aizawa's gonna drag you over the finish line whether you like it or not, so quit crying and start thinking. You've got a shitload of idiots to help you."

"Sounds like you're volunteering," said Kaminari.

"Who asked you?!"

"How wonderful!" said Tenya, listening in. "We'll come up with a training schedule on the bus. They'll be lots to do with our work studies and supplemental lessons."

Izumi laughed and blocked Tenya's way. "Tenya, give us a break. We can go over the logistics later, I promise. Treasurer's honor." Izumi held out her pinky. To everyone's shock, Iida entertained the act and hooked his finger around hers.

"Then, please use this opportunity to build class bonds outside the normal classroom setting."

"You know if you take those glasses off and smile a bit more, you'd be a proper ikeman." Izumi reached for the glasses.

Tenya laughed, blocking her hand and shaking his head. "I have no desire for such things."

"You don't need it anyway. Robots are in fashion these days."

"I'm human."

"No way! Since when?"

"Izumi, you have known me for a decade now."

"And I've compiled a list of reasons why you're a cyborg. Logically, you can't rule it out since your engines are machinery." Izumi tilted her head, staring at his legs with a confused look. "Why are they different?"

"OFF!" barked Katsuki, shaking Shouto's hand from his shoulder. "You and me—we're gonna have a fucking talk when we're back."

"Sure, but mind your damn manners," said Shouto, with no heat in his words. "There are other people here."

"Oh," giggled Ochako. "Todoroki-kun's getting annoyed."

"You guys are lively," said Shindō, walking forward with his arm wrapped around Nakagame. "Is it always like this?"

"It seems fun," said Nakagame with a bright smile.

"I'm sure you're all excited, but settle down," called Mera, tapping his microphone. He had an army of agents who were glued to their computer screens along with Sir Nighteye and Star and Stripe. She smiled at them, winking with a bright smile that reminded Izumi of All Might.

"Many of you may ask why we had Sir Nighteye and Star and Stripe oversee your exam. They will work with All Might and several other heroes to provide supplemental lessons based on your scores today. Your teachers will receive a schedule regarding it in the coming weeks. Anyone who failed has a chance to re-test in December. The rest of you will also receive updated assessments."

"So, basically, I've got a chance to show these losers who's actually Number One?" asked Katsuki loudly.

Everyone protested, telling him to keep his head down since he was basically in the mud.

Mera gave an unamused smile but nodded. "You can consider it something like that…rankings perhaps…to encourage healthy competition among you all. Don't let it get to your heads."

"So, why is Star here?" whispered Izumi as the HPSC agents began calling them up for their licenses.

"Don't you get it," asked Midoriya in wonder. "She's here because All Might asked her to come! The heroes are swamped with work after Kamino Ward, but with Star here, they'll be able to focus on catching the League!"

"Really?" asked Izumi, staring at the hero with a new consideration. "I'm going to do my work-study with her!"

"You don't even speak English!"

"I'll learn." Izumi smacked her palm against her fist. "Tonight."

Near Somei Academy

(REI)

"I'm fine," she protested to the EMT that arrived on the scene for the thousandth time. Others needed medical attention more than she did. After the initial shock had worn off, Rei shut down and worked her way back into reality.

Touya was gone. He wasn't coming back.

"Mom, just let them help," said Natsuo softly.

"I was surprised, that's all. I couldn't help but think of…." Touya.

There was still work to do. She would never truly be comfortable around fire, but she imagined there would be a point where she made it over the hill, and her fear felt more manageable. People moved around her, blurring as the emergency teams quickly cleaned up the glass and insurance agents arrived to take statements and pictures for the business owners.

"There's no physical injury, but you should still get checked by your doctor."

"I've had enough of doctors," snapped Rei, then sighed immediately. "Sorry. I'll do that." She bowed lightly. "Thank you."

She nodded and excused herself, leaving her and Natsuo in stark silence. Rei wanted to ask if that had been one of the League and what the villain's name was, but at times she felt coddled by her children, treated with safety gloves for good reason. The trust they once had in one another was broken.

"Izumi's school is nearby."

"U.A.?"

"No, Somei."

Rei frowned. "Is that why?"

"Do you think—"

"You two!" Hawks swooped in, landing in the glass with a crunch. He had an iced coffee in his hand. A phone number was written on the cup. He laughed, raising his sunglasses into his hair. "Looks like your family is trouble."

Rei stepped back, knocking into the table. "Hawks-san." Her head dipped low. "Thank you for rescuing—"

"Oh, hey, no worries! Actually, I'm a big fan!"

"Of…" Natsuo looked at the hero, nose curled.

"Shouto. Kid's going to go places. Izumi's got a great attitude too!"

"Thank you," repeated Rei. "You're not usually a Tokyo hero. Were you in the neighborhood?"

"Hmm. I was going to stop by and talk to Endeavor-san about something, but I heard the trouble and figured I should stop by and check it out." Hawks' eyes gleaned, and the smile fell away slightly. "It must've scared you."

"No…" Rei paused. "…yes, somewhat. The surprise of it more. I'm not used to so much…stimulation."

"You're very strong," praised Hawks. "For all that you've lost and dealt with."

"Okay, that's enough," snapped Natsuo growing annoyed. "If you've got business with—"

Hawks shook his head. "Actually, you might be able to answer my questions better than Endeavor can. They're about your son…and daughter. That's if you don't mind, of course. It'll be off the record."

Natsuo stood taller, staring down at Hawks with a stubborn look. "What do you want with them?"

"Is this about the League of Villains?" asked Rei hesitantly. She had seen the villains repeatedly on the news, but this was her first time seeing one of the members. An uneasy thought crept into her head. Were they watching them this entire time?

Dabi's face flashed in the back of her mind. He had blue eyes…like Izumi…like Enji…and it was…it made Rei think that he too might have had a family that was now gone. Weren't things like that the reasons villains existed?

Hawks' bluntness displayed a new side of the hero. "Yes."

"Do you think they're after Izumi again?"

"She has a powerful quirk and many opinions on hero society. Not bad ones. I think she and her classmates are…they'll be better heroes than we all are," said Hawks softly. "But, people can take advantage of that, so whatever information we get is helpful."

"Alright," agreed Rei.

"We should talk about it somewhere else. I know—"

"We can go to the house…if you don't mind." Rei smiled. Hawks seemed taken aback. "I'd like to have some tea, and it's never as good as the kind you make yourself. I'm sure you're hungry too."

"Mom, you're being too nice," muttered Natsuo.

"I'll make your favorite," said Rei, squeezing Natsuo's elbow. "Sashimi—Midoriya-san told me she saw a sale at the grocery store!"

He grimaced, slightly embarrassed at having a normal conversation in front of the No. 2 hero. Hawks nodded, sorting out the details and promised he would be there as soon as he finished cleaning up.

Fuyumi called as they were on the train back home, a worried hitch in her voice that eased as Natsuo explained that they were alright and no one was seriously injured by the attack. Rei listened to them talk, hearing the unspoken gaps in the conversation.

I'll be more reliable, she swore to herself. Natsuo had lost her long before she went to the hospital. Fuyumi, even earlier than that. Had she only been a mother when it was just Touya?

"We passed!" crowed Izumi over the phone as she climbed into the frame of Shouto's video call. "I'm a hero!"

"We are," confirmed Shouto, showing off his hero ID. His name was written in place of a hero-name. His photo had her laughing as he awkwardly attempted a smile, only to look straight into the camera. "I almost failed because I got into a fight with this bastard."

Izumi pinched his cheek, nearly falling out the window as the bus rounded a curve. "He's not that bad."

"He is," emphasized Shouto. "But, I remembered what was really important. I'll make you guys proud."

"You already do," reassured Rei.

"Ease up," said Natsuo with a laugh. "It's school. Even if you failed, we wouldn't have been upset."

"That's good to know," said Shouto, smiling.

Izumi twirled around him, showing off the hero license with a dramatic flair. "Look at it!"

Rei did. The HPSC logo below her photo was scratched off completely, replaced with the word 'FUCK,' flowing right into the kanji of her hero name.

"Izumi!" she said, scandalized.

Natsuo laughed loudly, catching the attention of the others on the train. He ducked, offering a quick apology. "Don't let your teacher see."

Shouto plucked it from her hands and inspected it, smiling.

They hung up too quickly for either Rei or Natsuo to explain what had happened, but it was likely that due to the lack of injuries and damage, the larger villain attacks had seized the media coverage.

By the time they arrived home, arms laden with groceries, Hawks was waiting outside, but he was not alone. At this side was Fuyumi, red-cheeked and stuttering as the man leaned toward her, speaking quick and fast with bright eyes.

Natsuo cleared his throat loudly.

Hawks rubbed the back of his head. "Didn't see you there!"

"We just got here," said Natsuo.

"And standing way too close to my sister. She's uncomfortable."

Fuyumi stuttered even more. Hawks rolled his eyes, flying forward to steal the bags away. "I'll take those for you guys."

"Who invited him to the family dinner?" asked Natsuo, aiming the question at Fuyumi.

"I didn't know he would be here!" protested Fuyumi. "And you're a Hawks fan!"

"Shut up," grumbled Natsuo, cheeks blooming red. "You can't just fanboy over a hero! You gotta hold them accountable."

Rei put her hand to her mouth and laughed lightly.

U.A. High School

(MIDORIYA)

The bus ride back to the dorms consisted of rowdy shouting and banter between his classmates. Kaminari, Kirishima, and Mina were the usual suspects, but they were frequently joined by Izumi and Kacchan when they were in the mood. Today, Todoroki had taken a seat next to his Izumi, firmly ending any chance of Kacchan's usual good mood.

It was strange to think Kacchan had good moods now.

"It's called dating."

"I know."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Izumi."

"I said okay!"

The monosyllabic conversation went back and forth like that for a while. Izuku wondered how they could understand what the other was saying, but neither needed clarification. He wanted his notebook to jot down this particular skill next to their entries. In a two-on-two combat mission, it would be to their advantage.

"Whatcha thinking of?" asked Ochako, resting her chin on the back of his seat. Izuku startled.

"Nothing!" he squeaked out, turning a fierce shade of red. He was no good with girls, but exposure had helped him carry a normal conversation. Except for times like these when he was startled.

She laughed, shaking her head. "You're acting pretty scared, Deku! You did great during the exam."

He nodded, eyes drifting toward Aoyama next to Aizawa-sensei. Surprisingly, the man was wide awake, conversing with him. Everything had gone by so fast that they barely had time to process the exam. A round where they were quirkless—Izuku was initially startled by the rule, but he also wished that something like this had happened at U.A.'s entrance exam.

The opportunity to show their heroism outside their quirks rarely existed in their training sessions, but some had taken to it badly. Aoyama had frozen up and then started crying, leaving someone with the task of comforting him.

Izuku wanted to tell him that it wasn't so bad. It was just temporary. He had been born with power, so he shouldn't worry about losing it, but the words were senseless when they came from him. He hadn't fought back against All Might's claim that a quirkless person couldn't be a hero. Izuki accepted it.

Part of him felt ashamed about that. It was the same part that accepted Kacchan's words without question.

"Deku, are you alright?" asked Ochako.

"F-fine!"

"Are you sure?!"

"Shut up," groaned Kacchan, turning his head as he kept his eyes shut. "You're both annoying."

"No one told you to eavesdrop," said Todoroki, throwing a look his way. Izumi snickered, ducking behind Todoroki to hide her laughter.

Kacchan's eyes snapped open. "I wasn't talking to you."

"We're here!"

They shuffled off the bus, exhaustion setting as they finally reached home. Shōji pulled a limp Kaminari off the bus, dragging him to the front door. Tsuyu linked arms with Jirou. Even Kirishima, who was usually brimming with energy, seemed tired. Izuku felt the same and trailed after them, happily discussing the new students they had met with Iida and Ochako when he was pulled away by Kacchan.

"Oi, meet me here tonight."

Kacchan didn't wait to say anything else, but the look on his face spelled trouble. Izuku's eyes widened, mouth opening to call back to him and give the card he dropped back, but Kacchan was already leaving. He heard his barking voice echoing inside, yelling at someone to get out of the kitchen before it caught fire.

"That was ominous," said Izumi. Izuku jumped, spinning around. She held up a peace sign and smiled. "Don't worry. I'm too tired to investigate your midnight escapades."

"It's not like that! I'm sure Kacchan just wants to ask something about classes or training or—"

She cocked her head, looking worried. "Midoriya, turn your brain off and come inside. You're going to faint if you use that much energy."

He shut up immediately and trailed after Izumi, who made well on her promise of procuring him food. He was starting to understand what Todoroki said about his sister. Izumi was always looking out for them.

END CHAPTER

Notes:

I am so glad this arc is over. It's setting up some threads for the future, but it was a pain in the neck to write. Enjoy the final chapter of it :)