Chapter 24: Consequence

HOSU GENERAL HOSPITAL

"A few mild scratches and bruises, nothing more," the doctor reported, scribbling some notes down. "Your iron content was quite low, but we got you both filled up again. You should be good to go."

"Iron…" Tetsutetsu closed his fist. "That's what my Quirk takes from me."

"It was tough, wasn't it?" Eijiro Kirishima scratched the back of his neck. "That's the longest I've held my Hardening since USJ."

"Those little creature things were no match for us, though!" Tetsutetsu grinned.

"Haha, yeah." After the strange, misshapen Nomu had split into many smaller versions of itself, it had fallen to the two of them to take them out. It was like fighting a horde of ten-year-olds…really, really durable ten-year-olds.

"Well, in any case…" the doctor finished his writing. "You're both free to go."

There was a police captain standing outside their hospital room as the two boys made their exit. Fourth Kind was talking to him.

"Oh, there they are," Fourth Kind turned to them with a neutral expression. "Boys, this is Captain Kamado."

Tetsutetsu raised his eyebrows. "Are we in trouble?"

The policeman shook his head. "No, you boys did quite well. Fourth Kind here tells me that both of you used your Quirks within the permissions granted to you. I cannot, however, say the same for some of your schoolmates."

Eijiro went pale. "Our scho…what happened?" Mina, he thought…worriedly.

Fourth Kind and the policeman shared an uncomfortable glance. "Endeavor's team managed to capture the Hero Killer," the pro hero said, to the gasping shock of both boys, "but the League members that launched the Nomu attack managed to escape."

"The League…?" Eijiro stepped forward. "As in, the hand guy and the portal guy?"

The policeman nodded. "A few of your classmates…were involved."

…

It was a strange and silent crew in that hospital room, thought Mina Ashido.

She occupied the bed nearest the window on the right. Down the line from her toward the door were Todoroki, with one arm in bandages, and Ochaco, with parts of her throat and left foot wrapped up. Across the way was Doko, who had bandages around his head and both legs. Midoriya, with a wrapped arm and a wrapped leg. And finally Iida, who had both his arms in slings.

"So, umm…" Mina coughed. "What exactly happened to you guys?"

"We fought the Hero Killer," Todoroki explained flatly. "The three of us." Iida bowed his head, the sheen of his glasses blocking any view of his eyes. He seemed ashamed.

Midoriya was looking back and forth between Ochaco and Mina, confused. "Wh-what about you? I mean…what h-happened to Uraraka-san, and Katayama…?"

Doko was the only one in the room who was still asleep. In fact, he'd been the only one in the room to get much sleep at all.

"Well, like how you sent out your location…" Mina began. "...wait. Was that because you needed backup with…the Hero Killer?"

Midoriya nodded. "It was just me and Iida at that point, in a little alleyway. Todoroki showed up later."

"I left Katayama behind when I responded to the alarm," said Todoroki. "But he was with my father and his sidekicks. How did he end up with the two of you?" The fire-and-ice user pointed back and forth between the girls.

"I was following Deku's location too," Ochaco mumbled. "But…along the way I found Katayama-kun on a rooftop. He was fighting Shigaraki and Kurogiri."

Midoriya gasped. Iida looked up from his guilty stupor, shocked with disbelief. "They were there?"

Todoroki sank back into his bed. "That explains the Nomus."

"Before he started fighting them, he sent a message in our group chat," said Mina. "It's just me and him and Tsu and a few other people. But I was the only one close enough, because the pro I was interning with had been called to the scene. Kiri was there too…don't know what happened to him." I abandoned him for Doko. What kind of friend does that make me?

"Kiri?" Todoroki raised a confused eyebrow.

"Kirishima," she clarified.

"You have a nickname for him?" The boy's eyebrow stayed up.

Mina flushed. "Well…yeah! We're friends from junior high!"

Ochaco chuckled softly. "I can't believe you're getting teased by Todoroki, of all people."

"I wasn't teasing, just asking," the boy mumbled.

Mina's glance shot over towards the sleeping Doko. It's him that I like, not Kirishima. But…

She gazed at him. I wanted to save him, but I only got Ochaco in more trouble…and then he was the one who saved both of us. With that forcefield power. His Quirk is just so much better than mine.

We barely even fought together. When I arrived, he was already trapped again. I was too late.

She felt tears welling up in her eyes.

Doko began to stir. He sat up, rubbing his face groggily. He looked cute in that vulnerable state, but she felt ashamed for even thinking it.

When he was a bit more conscious, Todoroki explained to him what all had happened.

"It's a miracle we're alive," Midoriya said flatly. "Stain could have killed us if he wanted."

"Yeah," said Todoroki. "We were spared on purpose." He turned to Iida. "He was actually trying to kill you, Iida. It was amazing that you were able to face him at all."

The class rep lifted his head ever so slightly. "That's not it. I…"

The door slid open. In walked four pro heroes.

Mina recognized Gunhead, and of course Switcheroo, whose eyes immediately fell to her. The other two were a man with a fish-like outfit and an elderly short guy. "You kids are awake, huh?" the elder said.

Midoriya beamed. "Gran Torino! I…"

"Can it, kid! I've got a lot of complaints for you!"

"H-huh?"

"But first…" the elder hero, apparently called Gran Torino, stepped aside. "You all have a visitor."

A humanoid dog walked into the room, broad-shouldered and imposing. "I am Kenji Tsuragamae," he boomed. "Chief of police in Hosu City."

All six of the students froze. A second later, Todoroki, Iida, and Ochaco all stood up in respect. Midoriya and Mina rushed to follow, realizing what they were supposed to do.

"Oh, you can all remain seated, woof."

Mina sweatdropped. Woof?

Tsuragamae specifically glanced at Midoriya, Iida, and Todoroki. "You three are the ones who brought down the Hero Killer." It wasn't a question, but Todoroki answered with a "Yes, sir" anyway.

"The Hero Killer is currently in our custody. He suffered broken bones and burns at your hands, and is being treated under heavy guard, woof. As you are all UA students, I'm sure you're aware that in the early days of superpowers, the police established a high standard and structure to ensure that Quirks could not be legally used as weapons. The profession of hero was created as a result. Violent, deliberate actions that could potentially result in the death of others, a normally condemnable offense, was made officially acceptable within that profession as a result of early heroes following the proper ethics and rules, woof. Even against villains that hold worse intent, the use of Quirks as weapons without specific permission from your guardians is against the law."

A cold chill swept over the six students.

"All six of you, as well as the pro heroes Endeavor, Gran Torino, Gunhead, Manual, and Switcheroo must receive strict punishment."

All of their eyes darted towards their heroes. Endeavor wasn't present, but the four that were there looked…furious. Switcheroo's eyes seemed to burn into Mina's skin, more than acid ever could.

"Wait a minute," Todoroki snarled. "If Iida hadn't shown up, Native would have been slain. If Midoriya hadn't shown up, Native AND Iida would have been slain." He stood, his fists clenched in fury. "NO one with actual authority to act knew the Hero Killer was there. Were we supposed to just do nothing and let people die?"

"Todoroki-san, w-wait!" Midoriya waved his hands frantically.

"Are you saying that as long as everything turns out alright, it's okay to bend the rules?" the police chief asked testily.

"Yes," said Doko from his bed in the corner.

Mina gasped. All eyes turned to him, including the chief's. The dog seemed genuinely caught off guard by his response. "Goodness. What have UA and Endeavor been teaching the two of you?"

The grey-haired boy flared his nostrils, a soft violet glow dancing around his eyes. "I don't know much about the hero system, but I do know my history. In the old world, when civilians took action against evil, they were lauded as heroes. No matter the situation." He sat up in his bed. "But because we happened to use Quirks, suddenly it's a problem. Because we used something naturally gifted to us. If I had just beaten Shigaraki with my bare fists, would that be allowed? Using my brain, can I do that? Oh nope, sorry, I'm already dead and the villains have escaped."

Tsuragamae gave the boy a long, silent look. Everyone in the room held their breath.

"The villains escaped anyway, boy," he finally growled. "What did you do to help the situation? The Nomu creatures were already unleashed and moving of their own free will. Stopping those two on the water tower would have done nothing to halt the monsters. Meanwhile, your mentor Endeavor, several of these brave pros here, and two of your classmates, even, DID use their powers within the confines of the law to stop the Nomus with minimal property damage and not a single casualty. And what were you doing? Letting the perpetrators get away, that's what."

Mina didn't mean to speak, but the words just came out of her mouth.

"Hold on. Are you trying to say that it's our fault that the villains escaped? They meant to stay and KILL us, you know! Shigaraki had his hands around Ochaco's throat, and it was only because Gunhead showed up that they decided to leave! If there was a pro present when they escaped, shouldn't it be the pro's responsibility?"

Ochaco let out a little squeaking noise, and looked at Gunhead. The pro in question had his head bowed. He seemed ashamed.

The dog scratched his ears and let out another woof. Was he…flustered? "If you'd waited a bit, perhaps the pros could have caught them off guard and prevented them from leaving…"

"No one could have kept them from getting away, not even the fastest hero," said Ochaco suddenly. "That Kurogiri's Quirk is too…instantaneous."

"It's a hero's job to save people!" Todoroki added. "Not to sit around and wait for permission!"

"Well, it's a good thing you're not all heroes yet, isn't it?" The police chief's voice dripped with malice.

Todoroki bared his teeth. "Why, you…" he lurched forward in anger.

"Stop! He is absolutely right!" Iida declared.

"Todoroki, WAIT!" screamed a panicked Midoriya.

"Boy, calm down!" Gran Torino stepped in between them. "He's not done yet! Please, hear what else he has to say!"

Todoroki swallowed, and stepped back.

Tsuragamae sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I understand that you children are tired, and perhaps a little overcooked with adrenaline. I'm willing to forget this insolence." His measured eyes passed over Doko again. "What all I have just stated is the official opinion of the police. And the punishment would only be necessary…if all of this happened to be public, woof." His demeanor had suddenly changed. He scratched his nose sheepishly.

All the students murmured in confusion, their anger and frustration fading away.

"If this were made public, the three of you who fought Stain would probably be applauded…but you would not be able to escape punishment. If it is not made public, however…the burn scars on the Hero Killer's body point toward Endeavor being the one who stopped him…and that's where it would end. There were no civilian witnesses in that alleyway who saw what really happened." He turned to Mina, Ochaco, and Doko. "As for you three, since the villains escaped, we don't have to worry about the nature of their injuries. However, your battle took place in a more exposed area. That part of the city had already been evacuated due to the Nomus, so no one was inside the buildings…but a news helicopter did capture footage of your confrontation."

Mina and Ochaco both gasped. Doko sank back into his bed, wordlessly. He put his face in his hands.

"Strangely, however…" the chief scratched his nose again. "During the live news report last night, the feed only went up to a shot of the two villains standing on the water tower, watching. Katayama was still a minute or two away from arriving on the scene. More footage was taken, but it was not aired. We have respectfully asked the media outlet to delete the remaining footage from the battle, and they have obliged."

Mina let out a sigh of relief. Their rule-breaking had not been exposed. But…do the police and the heroes really have the media wrapped around their finger like that? The warmth of her relief was nearly replaced by a cold chill.

"In any case, woof, it's your choice," said Tsuragamae. "If this remains under wraps like we have chosen to do so far, then your bravery and achievements will go unrewarded. Personally, I prefer it this way. I would hate for students with such promise to have their paths ruined by one mistake, woof." He gave them all a thumbs-up.

The hero in the fish costume sighed. "In any case, we have to take responsibility for being negligent in our supervising duties."

Iida walked up to him. I guess that's who he interned with, Mina thought. He bowed deeply. "I am truly sorry."

The hero chopped him on the head lightly. "All right, you've clearly learned your lesson. Just don't do it again."

"Yes, sir!"

"I'm sorry, Gunhead-sensei!" Ochaco stammered, standing up and bowing, following Iida's example.

"Yeah, me too!" Mina wailed, standing up and bowing next to her.

Gunhead chuckled softly. "It's my understanding that you were trying to get to that boy over there, Uraraka." He nodded toward Midoriya, who suddenly went red. "M-me?"

Ochaco went as red as he did. "I-I mean, ummm…"

"Deku, you call him? Ohh, you guys are so cute!"

The room somewhat erupted into chaos as Ochaco and Midoriya turned into stammering messes while Gran Torino cackled. Gunhead frantically moved to correct his mistake, and everyone began talking at once.

Under the cover of the noise, Mina rose up from her bow and gave Switcheroo a slight glance. "I…I really am sorry…"

"I know." The orange-haired hero grinned. "You were going to save him, right?" He nodded over to Doko, who was busy watching the chaos unfold.

She felt her cheeks heat up. "I didn't do a very good job of it."

A hand fell on her shoulder. "I saw the footage before they deleted it. You and that brown-haired girl managed to stalemate a villain that escaped All Might. That's no small feat. And even if he escaped…he'll certainly be remembering you."

She wrinkled her nose. "That's not a good thing, is it?!"

Switcheroo laughed. "It's my fault, really. I basically let you go right under my nose. I should have been more watchful."

Meanwhile, the rest of the room had calmed down. Midoriya and Todoroki were apologizing and bowing. "Please take care of it," Todoroki said.

Doko finally stood. "I…apologize for being difficult," he murmured with a bow. Purple static buzzed around his ears. "I let my emotions get the better of me once again."

The police chief exhaled. "In this timeline, none of you will get the praise you deserve. But…from another who desires to protect the peace, above all else…" he bowed to them. "My deepest thanks."

"You could have started with that," Todoroki grumbled.

…

"While those four are getting examined, you two are free to go," the doctor said. "While you were unconscious the longest, it was just due to a lack of nutrients. You both received the least injuries overall."

"Ochaco-chan…will she be alright?!" Mina demanded.

"Yeah, and Iida's arms were in slings…" Doko added.

The doctor sighed. "They'll all recover, all four of them. You two should be heading back now."

Mina and Doko walked together in silence out of the hospital.

An attempt to start a conversation happened. "I wish Ochaco were here to talk about this."

"Yeah, well…she probably wanted to stay with Midoriya."

"Mmm."

Doko's mind was far afield. They escaped again…but now I know for sure. I am a target. Kurogiri wants to take me to their "master." Shouldn't I tell someone about that? But who would I even tell?

I can't believe I nearly got into a fight with the chief of police. My parents would slaughter me if they found out about all this. And the media, deleting the footage? How bloody lucky can I get?

"I didn't even save anyone, did I?" he murmured aloud.

Mina looked over at him. "Huh?"

Doko met her dark eyes sadly. "They were just standing there on the tower, not interfering. The police chief was right. All I did was pick an unnecessary fight. My skills would have been better used in the street, where I could have maybe saved someone."

"Everyone down there got saved anyway," she said. "Besides…you saved me and Ochaco." She grinned with her eyes alight, but it didn't cheer him up like it usually did.

"You two would not have been there if it hadn't been for me," he protested. "I especially owe Uraraka an apology. She even asked if the two of us should run away, but I convinced her to help me fight them…and Shigaraki damaged her throat as a result. So I didn't really save anyone, in the end."

Mina seemed to think for a very, very long time. "Imagine for a moment," she began, in a quieter tone than normal, "that we managed to capture the two of them. Nothing that would have stopped the attack, but what about future attacks? How many potential plans we could have foiled? I think because of that…it was at least worth it to try and keep them from getting away."

Doko looked at her strangely. "That's…surprisingly thoughtful of you."

"Hey," she pouted. "I can be plenty thoughtful about stuff. Just not…schoolwork."

He chuckled. "It doesn't really make a difference though, does it? If we caught them. Results matter more than anything else. And the current result is failure."

"Well, we have luck on our side at the very least." She kept up that beautiful smile of hers somehow. "The media deleted the footage, after all!"

"God." Doko shivered. "I can't imagine what my parents would have said if…" he shut himself up, going pale. Holy shit. I almost just casually revealed to her about…

Mina raised an eyebrow. "...Doko?"

"Umm." He coughed, and saw a nearby bench, on the sidewalk outside the hospital. "How about we sit down for a second?"

She obeyed him silently, expectantly. It almost seemed like she already knew what he was going to say, but that was preposterous right? Was he that easy to read?

He sat down on the bench, getting to her level once again. "Todoroki told me that I should tell you and Tsu and Shoji and the others…" Fuck's sake, where do I even begin?

She put a reassuring hand over his. "Take your time."

"Mina, I…" Her skin was warm to the touch. "I don't…have the best home life, ever."

A shadow fell over her face. What kind of flag was that? Good? Bad? "Go on," she said neutrally.

"Remember when we had the conversation in the group chat? About how we inherited our Quirks?"

"Yeah," she muttered, as if thinking to herself, the realization rising up within her. "You…avoided the question."

"My parents are Quirkless. So is my little sister."

Mina swallowed, the yellow dots of her eyes growing a little in size. "That's…"

"I don't have a problem with Quirkless people. At least I don't think I do. I've never met any besides my own family and some of their friends, but I'm sure they're not all like that."

"So, in your family…" she muttered. "You're the weird one."

"...That's one way to put it. When I was little, I would use my Quirk to do stuff more easily, and just generally act lazy…and it really started to get to them. First they stopped letting me use it around my sister. I think they didn't want me to hurt her feelings at such a young age, since she wasn't going to get any powers. But then…it got worse and worse. When I'm home, they barely acknowledge me." His voice had begun to tremble. "Until recently, the only thing they would talk to me for was various housework. I think they've wanted me to prove that I can work without my Quirk…because that's what they've always had to do. I was given no Internet access, no phone…the only reason I was allowed into UA at all is because I passed a bunch of other high school entrance exams. And even then, I don't think they expected me to pass UA's. But I did, and now I'm here. Things have changed a little in our house since then. But I…I don't know. They make me really angry, but…I don't want to sound like I'm complaining! They HAVE provided me with a home and food on the table and all that…which is more than many people can say, I suppose. I don't want to complain to you. I don't want to be ungrateful." His fist shook. "I'm tired of being angry. I'm tired of losing my temper. I lost it at Todoroki and Bakugo, I lost it at all of you, I lost it at that police chief…" he sighed. "My parents are flawed people, but I understand why they do the things they do."

"I don't," Mina said plainly.

Doko looked up in surprise. He'd been so focused on explaining, that he'd forgotten to look at her face. Her face was furious.

"None of that makes any sense to me at all, Doko. Wanting to protect your sister? Wanting to make sure you weren't reliant on your Quirk? It sounds like they're just…like they're just jealous!" she spat.

"But…" Doko bowed his head. "Quirkless people have it tough. My sister is a gem of a girl. I could totally understand why any parent would rather focus on her than on me."

"Doko, listen to me." Mina gently cradled his chin in her fingers and lifted his head up. "You're better than that. You've already done so much good since we started school! Honestly, you're kind of an inspiration to m…"

"I saved you in what was merely a simulated exam, I won the Sports Festival out of spite, and I recklessly attacked two villains that escaped anyway," Doko interrupted. He pulled away from her touch, and stood up off the bench. "I can't keep going on like this. It's not going to work anymore." He forced himself to stay calm. He was so tired of losing his temper. So, so tired. "There, I've told you my past. But, please…" he tried to beg her with his eyes. "Please don't try and reaffirm me again. Like you did before my match with Bakugo. It only made me more confident and stupid, which led to this. I don't deserve to be reaffirmed. And I don't…I don't need it, either. What I needed was what that police chief said." He turned away from her, forcing himself. "I'll see you at school, Mina. Goodbye."

…

Mina didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to say.

She could only watch him walk off, feeling a strange mix of…she didn't KNOW what.

Pity is the death of desire…

Doko had said that at the Sports Festival. And now, she knew that he felt the same way about reassurance.

Pity, reassurance…any positive emotion that his friends expressed toward him, he felt uncomfortable. At first, Mina had just thought it was because he was sort of shy (or secretly some kind of child soldier) but that didn't match up with other things. And now she knew the truth.

It was because he'd been abused. And even worse, his abusers had somewhat convinced him into thinking that they were in the right.

She clenched her fist. I'm so stupid. How could I have been focused on getting to his level, when HE doesn't even think he's at that level?

He deserved better than some small crush from some silly girl. Their lives had turned much more serious in a hurry, and Mina had fallen behind everyone. Here I am, still batting my eyelashes about romance, when there are villains and abusers out there.

I can't treat him like I've been treating him. Like…how a girl would treat her crush. That's a disservice.

She could almost hear Switcheroo's voice in her head. I have to treat him…like an equal. And that includes having a better opinion of myself, too.

With that, their internships came to an end.

Doko: hi guys. sorry for not sending anything since the doomsday message. i assume mina updated you all.

Hanta: scroll up buddy

Hanta: we were all freaking out!

Tsuyu: Mina told us that she and Ochaco got involved in your fight with the League. And apparently Midoriya, Iida, and Todoroki were attacked by the Hero Killer?

Doko: yeah, that happened nearby. endeavor saved them though.

Hanta: kirishima was there too

Hanta: with that guy from 1b who has his quirk, basically

Doko: ...yeah

Tsuyu: Mina was being really vague. She just said that the villains escaped and that you guys are alright.

Doko: i'm not at the liberty to elaborate further. sorry.

Hanta: damn. they makin you stay quiet?

Tsuyu: don't be difficult sero

Tsuyu: its annoying but also perfectly valid

Mezo: I am glad you're alright, Katayama. And everyone else, too. That's what matters in the end.

Toru: yes same here katayama-kun i was so worried!

Doko: thanks guys.

Hanta: i realize it was kind of dangerous but

Hanta: i DO wish i had seen a bit of action during my internship

Doko: you know what? that's fair.

Mina: sero

Mina: u interned with kamui woods right

Hanta: yep, we mostly trained quirks and only went on patrol a couple of times. kinda annoyed i didnt learn more professional/agency stuff, but kamui doesnt have an agency yet so

Hanta: also, ibara shiozaki was there.

Toru: who?

Mina: the vine girl?

Doko: yeah, from class b. the girl i fought before mina.

Toru: ooooh

Mina: ooooooooh

Toru: sero?

Mina: just you and shiozaki, learning to be heroes together?

Hanta: please shut up

Toru: first comes quirk training

Toru: then comes marriage

Hanta: oh my god

Doko: what would their baby look like?

Tsuyu: their quirk would be growing eco-friendly tape

Doko: but like, out of their belly button or something.

Toru: EWW WHY

Hanta: i genuinely hate you all

Hanta: ok u got me. she is rlly pretty but i dont think she sees me like that

Mina: she seems so innocent. its impossible to tell

Toru: i am rooting for you sero

Toru: go get em tiger

Hanta: anyway, did any of you guys see anything else interesting at your internships?

Tsuyu: with selkie, I helped stop some cargo thieves

Tsuyu: it was somewhat frightening, but I'm feeling okay. We caught them without lasting issue.

Mina: oh wow tsu thats really cool!

Toru: all me and shoji did was train and learn how agencies are run

Mezo: It was quite illuminating.

Toru: OMG

Doko: what? what's the issue?

Toru: shoji just made a pun

Hanta: how is that…

Mezo: Hagakure unlocked a new ability. She can make light refract around herself now.

Mina: OMG QUEEN!

Tsuyu: That's wonderful.

Mina: IM SO PROUD OF YOUUU

Doko: well done hagakure.

Toru: ty ty ty

Toru: reflector rlly brought out the best of us two

Tsuyu: seems like interning in pairs was neat.

Doko: yeah, i wish i'd had more time to connect with todoroki.

Doko: unfortunately, a couple of things happened

Hanta: yeah wait

Hanta: if both of you were with endeavor how did he end up getting attacked by stain while you fought the league?

Doko: we were with endeavor when midoriya sent out his SOS. todoroki just ran off almost immediately. he is brave enough to directly defy that man. i am not.

Mezo: Certain media sites seem to imply that Stain was with the League. That's why it all happened in the same area.

From there, a discussion ensued about the repercussions of the Hosu incident across Japan. A stirring in society. Stuff Mina didn't really want to think about right now.

She was about to put her phone down and go to sleep, but it buzzed again. A direct message from Doko.

Doko: im sorry about being dismissive before and running off. im not mad at you. i wasnt trying to argue or anything.

Doko: if you are mad at me thats totally valid

Mina sighed. I like him a lot, but we just keep hurting each other's feelings, don't we? She was sick of it.

Mina: im not mad. dont worry :)

Mina: lets just try and keep our heads on straight. all this stuff only gets to us if we let it, right?

Doko: i agree. i enjoy stuff like hanging out and messing around with the group more than anything. villains and drama cant break that.

Mina: and hey ive given more thought about what you said and

Mina: thanks for telling me. thats all

Mina: im not trying to look down on you or consolidate anything for you or anything, but if you ever need to talk, im here. thats what friends are for.

Doko: thank you, mina.

Doko: since the start of the year, you've been a revelation to me.

Mina felt her heart flutter. At first the line just seemed overly poetic, but he really meant it. She could tell. And it was somehow the most electrifying thing anyone had ever said to her.

She typed out good night and then nearly added I love you.

After a moment of hesitation, she just sent the normal good night message and put her phone down. Not yet. Not yet, but soon. I have to make sure it's more than a crush. Because he deserves better… and so do I.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Wasn't a big fan of writing this arc overall, but I'm feeling better coming out of it. This turn in Mina and Doko's relationship is the last major thing I wanted to cover before leading into…a confession.

Sorry to all of you who don't like slow burns. I wanted to strike that balance between two people becoming smitten and rushing way too quickly into it, and two people just dancing around each other for too long (like Izuku and Ochaco in canon). Don't fret, romance is coming soon. I just wanted to earn it.

Next chapter will be lighter, as we head into final exams. Alterations from canon will be minimal this time around, and the arc won't take too long. I'm REALLY looking forward to getting into the training camp stuff, which I have…plans for. See you all next time.

Please review if you have thoughts by the way. Haven't been getting a whole lot of reviews and it makes it hard to tell how people are receiving my creative choices!