Coco: Hey, guys, I'm back with another chapter, and it didn't take me forever this time...hehehe. Anyway, we're not quite getting to the internship yet in this chapter, but it is coming. This is more a foreshadowing chapter for things to come. Some things are a bit more obvious than others, and I'm interested to think what you might conclude will be happening in future chapters.

So, with that little note out of the way, let's get to it!

Ayano hummed happily as she left the classroom after speaking to Aizawa. Looks like things were really looking up now.

"So, you're going back to your four-eyed master, huh?" Katsuki, who had waited on her just outside the door, asked.

Ayano frowned at Katsuki since she didn't really appreciate Katsuki's nickname for Nighteye. Though she decided to drop it.

"Yeah," Ayano said. "Aizawa-sensei said I'd be going back on Saturday thanks to me turning my paperwork in so fast. Sir will then make a schedule for me to be off on certain days, so I won't be in class much."

Katsuki didn't hide his frown as he and Ayano went to take their break together. Ayano took his hand as they walked while giving it a squeeze.

"Come on, don't be so glum." Ayano said. "You'll catch up soon enough, but don't think I'll make it easy for you."

She said this teasingly as she poked his cheek. He growled at her in retaliation though didn't really do anything to stop her.

"I'll catch up alright." Katsuki said. "Then get so far ahead of you, you won't be able to even dream of catching up."

"Whatever you say, Katsuki." Ayano said as she smiled.

Ayano then spotted Konan, Mashirao, and Eijiro a few feet away, and as the redhead waved at her and Katsuki, Ayano waved back with her smile growing. Ayano tugged Katsuki along with her causing the blonde to roll his eyes. Though he didn't complain surprisingly.

"Hey, guys." Eijiro greeted the two when they made it over. "How'd the talk with Aizawa-sensei go, Ishida?"

"I'll be returning Saturday." Ayano replied with a smile. "And what about you, Kurafutoshi-chan? Any news from Fatgum?"

"He is faxing over the paperwork as we speak." Konan, who was putting her phone away into her pocket, replied. "If things go well, I should be returning this weekend to hero work as well."

Konan looked eager to get back into the field, which had Ayano's smile growing even more if possible.

"You two are so lucky." Eijiro whined. "I wish a work study was waiting for me."

"Same." Mashirao agreed.

"Well, you two are doing better than Bakugo." Konan commented causing Katsuki to stiffen in annoyance. "He has to wait three months before having the chance to join work studies. By then who knows what agencies will be left?"

Katsuki's brow was twitching rapidly at this point with Mashirao and Eijiro standing safely out of the way. Ayano looked like she was trying to hold back a laugh as she waited for Katsuki to blow.

"Shut your mouth, Origami!" Katsuki growled. "When I catch up, I'll blow you out of the water! You'll be ashes once I'm done!"

Konan only blinked at Katsuki's outburst, which seemed to annoy the ash-blonde even more.

"It is good to see that you haven't lost your spark, Bakugo." Konan said.

Katsuki just growled wondering if she was even being genuine or not. Before he could just snap at her again, the bell chimed to signal the intercom coming to life.

"Third-Year Student Togata Mirio and First-Year Student Ishida Ayano, All Might would like to speak with you. Please, head to the counseling office at once." The voice said over the system.

Ayano blinked wondering what All Might could want with both her and Mirio. Though she could only guess it might be related to Nighteye in some form or fashion.

"Huh, that's weird." Mashirao said as the announcement was being repeated. "I wonder what All Might wants with the two of you."

"It probably has something to do with our work studies," Ayano guessed. "Anyway, I better go see what All Might needs. I'll see you guys later."

She gave Katsuki's hand a squeeze in farewell before going to head towards the counseling office. On the way there, she ran into Mirio who gave her a big smile.

"Hey," He greeted. "It's crazy, huh? All Might calling for the two of us."

"It's interesting," Ayano said. "I hope nothing's wrong."

"I'm sure things are fine." Mirio said as the two fell into step together.

Ayano supposed there really was no reason to worry. Maybe All Might wanted to ask them about Nighteye. After all, Nighteye had once been All Might's sidekick. The two reached the office soon enough, and Mirio knocked to announce their arrival. All Might called them in, and when they entered the office, Ayano's eyes immediately zeroed in on Izuku who sat on the couch opposite of All Might. Seeing him made things start to make sense.

"Young Togata, Young Ishida, please have a seat." All Might said gesturing to the couch Izuku was sitting on.

Mirio, who wasn't one to be shy, walked right over. Izuku scooted over to make room for the two while looking thoroughly confused as to why they were there.

"Ah, yeah!" Mirio said to All Might as he took a seat in the middle of the couch. "You. Are. Here!"

Ayano, who took a seat beside the blonde and crossed one leg over the other, gave a small sigh as she shook her head. She should have seen that coming.

"Sorry," Mirio apologized with a laugh. "Couldn't help myself. I just got super excited you wanted to talk to me. Well, talk to us!"

He slung his arm around Ayano's shoulders to bring her into a side hug as he continued to grin away.

"Um, I really don't understand what's going on right now." Izuku confessed unsurely.

"I know, right?" Mirio, who released Ayano, agreed. "I'm completely clueless too."

"Really?" Ayano asked then pointed at All Might. "Considering All Might called the two of us here and Izuku is here as well, I can only guess it has to do with work studies, which means All Might probably wants us to introduce Izuku to Sir."

Both boys turned to look at Ayano with Mirio seeming to understand while Izuku only seemed more confused.

"Young Ishida is right." All Might said. "Young Midoriya, I'm sure you already know that Young Ishida is doing her work study at Nighteye's agency. Young Togata, who I'm sure you've met, is interning there as well."

Izuku looked at Mirio with wide eyes, which confused Ayano since she was sure she mentioned that she was working with Mirio at Nighteye's agency before.

"I totally forgot!" Izuku said. "Whoa, that means you're like guaranteed to be his sidekick when you graduate, Togata!"

"Well, as long as Sir doesn't change his mind, yeah," Mirio said.

Ayano didn't see Nighteye changing his mind about Mirio. It was obvious that Mirio was like Nighteye's pride and joy.

"That's awesome." Izuku said with his grin getting even bigger.

Ayano shook her head at Izuku's enthusiasm, but it was more out of fondness than anything else if her smile was anything to go by.

"Alright, I'm going to get straight to the point," All Might said. "Tell me, Young Togata, do you think this first year has what it takes to work beside you at the agency? And, Young Ishida, from your experience with Sir Nighteye do you think Young Midoriya would benefit from learning from him?"

Mirio and Ayano exchanged a glance as Izuku waited on the edge of his seat for a reply.

'What do you think?' Ayano asked Mirio mentally. 'You've known Sir longer and have been doing work studies for a year now. I might have interned with Sir before, but I'm just as much new to this as Izuku is.'

'True, but you know how Sir is.' Mirio replied. 'You might not have known him as long, but I can tell you and Sir have a close bond and you know your friend better than me.'

As the two continued to converse, Izuku was only getting more nervous from where he watched them silently. It was obvious to him and All Might the two were conversating mentally as Ayano was shaking her head as if in reply to something Mirio had thought.

'I know Izuku can do anything he puts his mind to,' Ayano said. 'He's a fast study and has a lot of heart. And I know he can learn a lot from Sir just as I have. However, I still don't think I'm qualified to make the final decision or even weigh too much in on the topic. So, I'm leaving it to you, Senpai.'

Mirio hummed in response before turning to look at Izuku who sat up a little straighter.

"I understand what you're asking," Mirio said looking to All Might. "But what I don't understand is why you're going through Ishida and I. I always see him watching old video clips of you in his spare time. I'm sure he'd be real happy if you called him up yourself."

"Yeah, he's a fanboy." Ayano added. "Like major."

Izuku sweat-dropped at how bluntly Ayano spoke. Even being used to how blunt she can be, it still sometimes throws him off guard.

"I can't exactly face him right now." All Might said. "Because he was dead right…I ended up precisely where he warned me, I'd be. So, do you think Young Midoriya has what it takes?"

"Well, Ishida already said she was going to leave me to make the decision, and it's a bit of a toughie, ya know." Mirio said as he looked thoughtful. "…Oh, I know, why don't you tell me what kind of hero you wanna be."

An inquiry that seemed so simple but wasn't at the same time. So many people wanted to be heroes now a days and many with their own different reasons why. To some it could be for the simple things like money, power, and prestige. For others it could be for more complicated reasons. Reasons that are harder to put into words.

"…What kind…?" Izuku repeated. "I want to save people with a smile and…"

Izuku trailed off with a somewhat troubled look appearing on his face. Ayano knew what kind of hero Izuku has always said he wanted to be. A hero just like his idol—just like All Might. However, she's seen how Izuku has changed since they started their studies here at U.A. The two of them and their entire class have been through so much. The simple dreams of becoming amazing heroes have been molded and changed throughout their time here due to their many different experiences.

Ayano can say first hand she has changed a lot. When she first started, she just wanted to learn more control over the quirk she almost considered a curse. And she wanted to prove to herself that even with the quirk she used to fear that she could be a hero and not let her quirk and her past rule her. Now, she wanted to be a hero and become strong to not only take care of those she loves, but to fight for a future full of smiles. A hero to fight during the blackest and darkest of times to bring light and laughter even when it seems impossible. Which means she has to get stronger.

That was her new goal. Her new ambition, and she knew for a fact, Izuku had his own new goal that he wanted to reach. His old wishes of being a hero who always smiles even in the toughest of times is still there, but there was definitely more to it now.

"I want to be strong, so I won't worry people," Izuku, who finally seemed to find the words he needed, said as he looked back to Mirio. "I want to always win and save everybody. I want to become the greatest, got it?"

Mirio didn't reply at first as he stared at Izuku with an unreadable expression on his face. He studied the first year in front of him with the look in his eyes giving nothing away to whatever he was thinking. Not even Ayano, who decided to block out Mirio's mind, knew what was going on inside his head. Eventually Mirio looked away with a sigh leaving his lips.

"Whoa, that was a lot." Mirio said as he turned his eyes back onto Izuku before raising his thumb. "Haha, there's no reason for me to say no though, so yeah."

Izuku's eyes widened in shock, but then his entire face lit up in a grin as he leaned in towards Mirio.

"Wow, you mean it?!" Izuku asked. "Thank you so, so much!"

"Sure," Mirio said with a smile. "I always figured Sir would take a liking to you anyway."

"I sure hope he does!" Izuku said with an excited laugh.

"Don't get too excited, Izuku." Ayano warned her friend. "Togata-senpai can't guarantee that Sir will take you. And he'd probably be less inclined to take you if I spoke up for you since we're friends. All I'm saying is please don't get your hopes up too high."

"Right, right." Izuku said though the grin didn't leave his face.

Ayano shook her head at the greenette as he excitedly spoke to Mirio about what kind of agency Nighteye ran and what he could expect if Nighteye did take him on. Ayano then looked to All Might when seeing a troubled look on the retired hero's face. She didn't look into his thoughts though. She's kind of learned the hard way that she doesn't need or want to know everything. Somethings were better not being known.

"So…uh…what are the three of us doing here?" Izuku asked nervously as he stood next to Katsuki and Ayano.

The three teens were in their P.E. clothes and in the T.D.L with All Might and Giichi standing in front of them.

"Training, what else?" Giichi asked with a quirked brow. "I thought you were the smart one."

Izuku blushed in embarrassment as he hung his head. He guessed that was a kind of silly question. All Might elbowed his friend in the side causing Giichi to roll his eyes.

"But why are you training the three of us after hours?" Ayano inquired.

Katsuki wanted to know too. He didn't care to put in extra training hours. Especially he had to catch up to the two on either side of him.

"The training is mostly for you," All Might said pointing at Ayano.

Ayano pointed at herself in question while feeling more confused than before. Katsuki and Izuku were confused as well.

"Of course, the two brats with you need training just as much." Giichi added. "One can't fully control his power and the other couldn't even pass the licensing exam, so yeah, they have a lot of work cut out for them."

Izuku looked down feeling even more discouraged as Katsuki's brow just started twitching in aggravation.

"Listen here, old man, I don't think I'd be running my mouth if I was your old retired ass!" Katsuki barked. "I'll explode you into next week."

Instead of getting annoyed or angry with Katsuki's outburst, Giichi smirked silently, which All Might saw as something even more worrying.

"I'm going to enjoy this," Giichi said as he cracked the fingers in his left hand. "I'm not allowed to lay a finger on Kazane's boy toy, but I'll definitely take my time kicking the shit out of Ayano's."

All Might paled leaning away. He wasn't the only one since Izuku was inching away too.

"Oh yeah?" Katsuki challenged as he stepped forward. "I'd like to see you try, old man."

As the two males had a stare off, Ayano pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. She then waved her hand forming two psionic walls to push the two of them away from each other.

"You two are giving me a headache." She said. "Let's just get on with the training. Why's it for me?"

Since Giichi was too busy making 'I'm going to kill you' motions at Katsuki from behind the wall Ayano put in front of him, All Might stepped forward to explain.

"While you have shown excellent control over Hive so far, its power is still relatively new to you, Young Ishida." All Might reminded her. "And like how Young Midoriya's body can't handle the strain of my power at its maximum, you can't handle Hive's full potential."

Ayano frowned as she placed her hand against her head. She remembers. Nighteye told her she had caused some damage to her brain with how she overused Hive during the villain attack at the training camp. It didn't help when she continued to push its limits during hers and Katsuki's time as hostages to the League of Villains.

"Not only that, but I'm sure you've noticed that Hive sometimes acts on its own when it thinks you're in danger." All Might added. "And I know you're aware of how strong Hive can be on its own, so if it lashes out and you can't reign it in—!"

"I'll hurt those around me…friend or foe." Ayano concluded.

All Might nodded his head then looked to Giichi who had finally calmed down. Katsuki had as well as he forgot all about the white-haired man at the moment to look towards Ayano with an unreadable expression.

"So, since Bakugo and Midoriya are in the know about your true abilities, we thought it best to pull them in for these training sessions we'll have at least once a week." Giichi said. "Not only will you get to test your limits and break them and become stronger, but they will as well. Meaning this training benefits all of you, got it?"

The three friends looked at each other as Giichi spoke. So, they'd be training to get stronger together. Honestly, none of them ever saw it coming. All three of them working together almost seemed laughable. While Ayano got along with both boys (while not Katsuki always), the two boys typically couldn't be in the same room together without some kind of trouble.

"This is your chance to really grow." All Might said. "And become not amazing individual heroes, but an unstoppable team."

Katsuki frowned crossing his arms over his chest since he wasn't sure how he felt about this whole team thing. Especially if Izuku was on it, but if this training meant getting stronger…he was all for it. He wouldn't lose again. Especially not if she was on the line too. He looked to Ayano as he thought this as determination was burning in her eyes.

"So, tell me, young heroes," Giichi began with a smirk. "You ready for the challenge?"

"Yes, sir." The three replied without hesitation.

Giichi's smirk grew while turning more into a grin as All Might stood behind him. A small smile of his own on his face.

'This brings back memories, huh, Etsudo?' He thought.

—FLASHBACK—

"You want us to work together as a team?" Giichi asked as he stood in between Toshinori and Etsudo. "Is this a joke?"

Etsudo pouted up at Giichi's reluctance since she was pretty excited at the thought of teaming up.

"No, it's not a joke." Nana replied with a grin. "The three of you are strong individually, but together you could become an unstoppable force of justice."

Toshinori grinned at the sound of that as he stood up a little straighter. Giichi didn't seem sold on the idea though.

"Listen, not to be rude or anything, but I'm not even joining these two idiots on the hero track." Giichi said as he adjusted the strap of his school bag on his shoulder. "A guy like me isn't meant to be some hero, so pick someone else for your super trio."

"You say that, but I've been watching you, Sebone Giichi." Nana said as she pointed at him. "Ever since deciding that Toshinori would be my successor I have been keeping an eye on you and Kichigai Etsudo. While she and Toshinori are brave and have the hearts of heroes, it isn't them who immediately jumps into danger to help someone. It's always you who takes that first leap. Even without having to think, you risk yourself for those around you who are weaker. A sign of a true hero."

Giichi scoffed with a roll of his eyes before giving a slight wince when Etsudo and Toshinori elbowed him in the sides.

—END OF FLASHBACK—

'Everything has changed so much since then,' All Might thought as he watched Giichi start the training. 'You aren't here anymore, Etsudo. And Giichi and I have gotten to the point that we have pass the mantel down to the next generation of heroes…I wonder if can we do enough to prepare them for that future…'

He supposed they would just have to wait and see. As Giichi started barking out instructions to the first years, Ayano got into position with purpose burning in her chest.

'I will get stronger,' She told herself as she held up her hand and readied for Katsuki and Izuku's attacks. 'I will protect those I love. I won't lose again nr be weak and in need of protection from anyone…And I will save them.'

Rina sat alone to her own thoughts as her ever-present new shadow stood behind her. She had a book in her lap, but wasn't giving it much of her attention. To wrapped up in her own thoughts.

"Hey, Sebone." Twice called as he entered the room, she and the Nomu were in.

The hooded Nomu turned towards Twice with an almost aggressive, animalistic growl leaving its mouth. Though it calmed down when Rina reached out to touch its arm. It relaxed underneath her touch, and stepped back as Twice approached.

"Yes, Twice?" Rina replied. "Can I help you?"

"Do you know when Shigaraki is going to be back?" Twice asked then scoffed. "Not that I care! I'm so worried about him, man!"

Rina wheeled herself to turn around and face Twice as he was looking up in worry.

"No, I don't know when Tomura will be back…but I'm sure he's fine." Rina assured Twice. "It's not like he went anywhere dangerous. He just needed to time to think. When he decides to finally make his first move against the Shie Hassaikai, he'll let us know."

Twice's demeanor changed as he growled at the mention of the Shie Hassaikai.

"Yeah, them," He said. "I'll make them pay; I swear it!"

Before he could get too worked up, Rina calmed him down with her quirk, so he relaxed.

"We will make him pay." Rina said. "We just have to be patient. If we rush things, we won't give them the deserved vengeance for Magne. We have to play smart. Overhaul thinks we're just all a bunch of crazy disorganized thugs, and even if in a way he's right…he's underestimating us entirely. That will prove to be his fatal mistake."

"Yeah, we'll teach him!" Twice agreed then gave a forlorn sigh. "But what if I miss things up again…?"

Rina gave Twice a sympathetic look while knowing that Twice blamed himself for Magne's death. He may be a villain, but Twice had more of a golden heart than most heroes. Rina wheeled over to Twice to place her hand on his arm. He looked down at her.

"Everything will work out just fine," She promised him. "They will pay and then we'll continue to make our dream a reality. Never doubt that, Twice."

As Twice's spirits raised, Rina looked off to the side. This was her life now. She chose her side, and these people…these villains were her family now. She would look out for them. Take care of them…and she won't fail them like she did with her original family.

'I'm sorry, Ayano, Kazane, Father…but the old Rina is gone,' Rina thought. 'And now only a ghost remains…Isn't that right, Ishida Ko?'

She glanced over at the Nomu as she thought this, and it lifted its head with its dark eyes peering out to look back at Rina.

'Just ghosts…that's all we are…' Rina thought. 'Nothing to save when we're already dead…'

Coco: And that's the end of that chapter. Honestly, as I was writing this one, I had a lot of plans for this season as a whole that I was going to kind of foreshadow in this chapter, but I paused midchapter. I don't know what made me think of it exactly, but as I was writing I realized I've actually let myself get behind in the manga. Like 15ish chapters. Doesn't seem like a lot, but boy did I miss so much. I cried a lot (though not going to say too much on it since, ya know, spoilers) and as I was reading I got a few new ideas. Like, how I was going to set up work studies for my three other OCs, and maybe even a few other things that might seem small but will kind of change the direction I had been going. It was certainly a ride, but after catching up, I felt inspired and all the more eager to write this chapter and the chapters to come.

But anyway, I hope you liked this chapter. Now, as for a chapter bonus, it's kind of last second, but I remember a review mentioning like a little Kiri-Konan thing, so I put something together. It's not much, but I do hope you like it.

!Chapter Bonus!

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Eijiro let out a yawn as he stepped out of the elevator into the main living area of the dorms. He was up earlier than usual, but found himself unable to sleep, so he decided to come down here for a bit of breakfast. It was Saturday, so there weren't any classes meaning it could be a day of leisure. But he felt kind of restless, so he wasn't sure how much relaxing he'd actually do. As he was walking towards the kitchen, he spoked Konan out in the courtyard. He watched her for a moment as she was slowly going through the motions of what looked like some kind of fighting style.

She seemed so concentrated with every move and each move flowed so perfectly. Though as he continued to watch her, he noticed there was actually a stiffness to her movements. Made him feel as if she was frustrated about something. It was always kind of hard to tell with her though since Konan always played things so close to the vest. Keeping everything under wraps. Even her emotions. Even Shoto was easier to read than her and that was saying something.

'I wonder what could be bothering her...' Eijiro thought as he moved forward. 'Maybe she's worried about the upcoming licensing exam?'

Eijiro opened the door leading to the courtyard and stepped out, which gained Konan's attention. She halted her movements as she turned to face Eijiro.

"Kirishima, you're up earlier than usual." Konan commented. "Something the matter?"

"Uh...not really." Eijiro said with a shrug. "Just felt like getting up, I guess...what about you? You seem upset."

Konan's eyes seemed to widen for a split second, which had Eijiro thinking that maybe he shouldn't have asked. Though the shocked expression disappeared so fast from her face that he was almost convinced he imagined it.

"No, everything is fine," Konan said easily as if it was a well rehearsed line. "Thank you for checking in on me, however. That's very kind of you."

A well practiced smile joined in on her words, which caused Eijiro to frown slightly.

"It's nothing," Eijiro said. "That's what friends do. And we are friends, aren't we? Meaning you know you can confide in me if anything is wrong?"

Konan's smile turned a bit strained at his push, but remained in place.

"Of course," Konan said. "But everything is fine, so there's no reason to worry."

Eijiro, who decided not to push, finally sighed and gave a nod. Konan nodded in return before returning to her usual routine.

'I don't understand,' Eijiro thought. 'Why does she isolate herself? Isn't it lonely?'

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Not the most fun chapter bonus, but hey, I think I did pretty good throwing that together in like seconds. So, I'm proud of myself. Anyway, if you have any requests, I'm sure you know the drill by now. Which is either leave it in a review or send me a message. Well, until next time, guys~