A/N: IMPORTANT NOTE: So I found out that for some reason, some of the chapters repeated themselves? This only happened on FFN, I'm not sure why, so I went back and fixed them. This affected The Return of the Hero Chapter and the Martial Arts Tournament. When I updated the Martial Arts Tournament chapter, I changed the ending as well, just a little. ;) As well as that, I had to fix something in chapter 6 due to plot inconsistency. I know I keep changing this story all the time, but these changes were necessary.

Anyway, this chapter takes place mid-way through season 2. I hope you enjoy it!

The crowd of students cheered as Miyuji lowered her microphone.

"Hell yeah!" she said. "We kicked ass!"

She grinned at the rest of the band before jumping off the stage. She waved at the audience, before the school bell rang. She gave a glance at her phone. There were a lot of missed calls from her master, and a few texts in broken English apologising for all the calls, most of them being along the lines of 'how to turn off voice recognition'.

Miyuji rolled her eyes. Safe to say, her master was not quite as good with technology as he was with his sword.

"Hey, Miyuji," said Gita Yamahato, former president of the Light Music Club. "Is that your sensei texting you?"

Miyuji nodded. "Ha ha, yep! He's hopeless with technology."

"And yet, he's a top ranking hero," Gita said. She frowned. "Miyuji, seriously… how did you meet that guy? How the heck did you become so… talented all of a sudden?"

Before Miyuji could respond, the school bell rang.

"There's the bell!" Miyuji grinned. "I'll catch ya later, Gita!"

She ran off, leaving Gita with the same questions as always. As Miyuji ran through the crowd, she spotted another Class A watching her, until she weirdly disappeared.

At lunchtime, the Light Music Club assembled in their rock and roll-themed club room, instruments loyally beside them.

"Alright team!" Miyuji grinned. "Let's rock this new song!"

"Excuse me."

Miyuji turned around, facing a student standing at the entrance of the room. She had a calm expression on her face.

"Ay, Yan-chan!" Miyuji greeted. "Yo! What can I do for you?"

She jumped off the stage, landing in front of her fellow Class A hero.

"I was wondering what this club is about," Ayano replied.

"We're the Light Music Club!" Miyuji replied. "Well, the name's a bit outdated. Last year, we only did mood music - you know, the stuff you hear in elevators? But this year, we switched our focus to rock music! We're not just a club, we're a band - the Strawberry Thieves! There's room for one more, if you'd like to join!" She held up a hand. "It's okay if you don't have any experience - we'll help you get the hang of things! When we put on a show, tons of people show up! And if you can put on a good performance, everybody will absolutely adore you!" She lowered her voice, giving Ayano a wink. "Just between you and me, it's the fastest way to get popular at school!"

"That sounds good," Ayano replied.

"You wanna join our band?!" Miyuji asked.

"Yes," Ayano nodded.

Miyuji fist-pumped the air. "Kick ass! Can't wait to see what you can do with an instrument in your hands!"

Miyuji led the newest band member over to the display of guitars by the wall. Above the guitars were a series of posters for the band.

"Take your pick!" Miyuji said, spreading her arms.

Ayano picked up a black and white guitar, shaped somewhat like a sledgehammer.

"Goin' in for the big guns!" Miyuji cheered. "Now that's what we're all about!"

Ayano slung her guitar over her shoulder. Miyuji then led her over to the rest of the band.

"Guys, this is Yan-chan," Miyuji introduced. "She's new to our band, so let's make her feel welcome!"

The other members of the band cheered as Ayano gave them a small wave.

"So, you know the big fall formal coming up?" Miyuji asked Ayano.

Ayano nodded.

"Well, our band's gonna be playing there on the night," Miyuji explained. "As well as that, we're also doing a little mini performance at the end of the week - y'know, to get people hyped up for the formal. And, uh, maybe lift their spirits as well, since… things haven't really been all too great lately..."

Ayano nodded once more.

"Alright!" Miyuji theatrically strummed her guitar. "Let's get right into this rehearsal!"

Ayano joined the others on the stage. Gita Yamahato smiled at her.

"Welcome," she greeted, offering a hand. "Do you know how to play guitar?"

"I can learn," Ayano said, shaking her hand.

"Hell yeah, that's the spirit," Miyuji grinned. "Let's do this!"

The drummer raised her sticks, and counted the beat. Ayano paid attention to the sheet music in front of her as the beat started. She stretched her fingers, before she began to play. To everyone's surprise, she got every note right.

"We know, we are, heroooeessssss!" Miyuji sang into the microphone. "Why were you born this way? Evil with Hell to pay?"

The song was played well enough that a crowd of students came to listen. They cheered, filling the room with energy.

Miyuji finished the final verse, and lowered her microphone. The crowd cheered.

"Hell yeah!" Miyuji grinned. "We kicked ass!"

Once the crowd had dispersed, Miyuji caught up with Ayano.

"Damn, girl, you're amazing!" she praised, lightly punching Ayano's shoulder. "Have you seriously never played a guitar before?"

Ayano shook her head. "It must be natural talent."

"Must be, or you're just being too modest," Miyuji joked, making a peace sign. "Whatever the case, the show's gonna rock!"

"Senpai," Ayano spoke up.

"Yeah?" Miyuji asked.

"Is it true that you are a disciple of Atomic Samurai?" Ayano asked.

"Yep," Miyuji replied, slightly less energetic.

"You're a good swordsman?" Ayano asked.

Miyuji shrugged. "Well, I'm good enough to him, so… hell yeah!"

"I see," Ayano said. "Do you spend a lot of time with him?"

"Suppose," Miyuji waved a hand. "Old man's almost like a dad to me…"

"Where do you train with him?" Ayano asked.

"Dude, what's with all the questions?" Miyuji asked, giving Ayano a goofy grin. "C'mon, we've got more practice to do!"

Ayano nodded, holding up her guitar and following Miyuji. It seemed she would have to figure out the answers for herself.

What is the drive to become a hero? What is the drive that pushes one over the edge?

Miyuji pondered these questions as she opened the door to her home. Her black hair hung in front of her eyes, and she hugged her books to her chest. As usual, her parents weren't there. Miyuji hung up her school bag and went into the kitchen. She looked in the fridge, and sighed. Her parents had forgotten to make dinner again.

The girl pulled out some ramen for later. She went to the living room and turned on the television. It was showing a talk show with a group of men discussing the newly implemented Hero Association.

"What is the drive to become a hero?" one of the men asked. "What is the drive that pushes one over the edge?"

I don't know, Miyuji thought, lowering her head. What's the drive to do anything these days…? Not like I have much of a life right now… to everyone, I'm just a shy and quiet bookworm… I'm nowhere near successful. I want to do something with my life, but… I'm not good at anything.

She turned off the TV, a frown on her face.

They're not going to be home for a while, she thought. Maybe I'll go for a walk…

She slipped on a hoodie, grabbed her phone and a pair of red headphones, and went outside. She began her walk down the street. The weather was pleasant: clear skies, a gentle breeze, a tranquillity between the citizens. Miyuji kept listening to her music, keeping her head down. She didn't want to draw attention to herself. Especially not when monsters were afoot.

The trek was simple, but oddly relaxing. Miyuji found herself enjoying it, despite everything. She enjoyed the simple things in life every now and again. She turned up her music, and began to forget about her worries. She was soon wrapped up in her dream world, a much happier place than the real world. She found herself wanting to escape. Escape her parents and her life back home.

I want to be free, she thought. I have to get out of here.

Soon enough, Miyuji found herself catching the next train out of the city. She didn't care where it was going, she just wanted to leave. She gazed out of the window, silently humming along to the song blasting through her headphones. As an especially long song finished, as the train stopped at City K. Miyuji had never been to the city, so she decided to explore.

The city was surprisingly peaceful, and not too busy. Miyuji didn't pay much attention to other people as she continued her walk. The music continued to play, dragging her away from reality. It felt so good to be free, just once. Miyuji realised… she was happy. She was enjoying herself.

Of course, it wasn't going to last.

"This is an emergency evacuation warning. A demon level monster has been sighted in the outskirts of City K. Please evacuate the area immediately."

Miyuji, of course, did not hear the warning. So when a giant monster made of slime appeared behind her, she did not react. However, when it wrapped a slimy appendage around her leg and pulled her up into the air, she began to freak out.

"Ahhh!" she screamed. "Put me down!"

The monster cackled. "Not a chance, human! I'll consume you!"

Miyuji scowled, trying to wiggle her way free. No success. She sighed, deeply.

Is it really worth it? she thought, letting her body go slack. I don't mean anything to my parents. I'm not good at anything. My life means nothing. Maybe… it's for the best. Who's going to miss me, anyway?

As she was drawn towards the monster's gaping maw, she thought of a simple question: what is the drive to become a hero?

I'm no hero, she thought. I'm no one at all… but… can I really let myself die like this…? No, it's not like anyone will care. I'm pathetic...

No, a voice boomed at the back of her head. You are stronger than this. You can survive. No, you will survive. It doesn't matter what your parents think. What anyone thinks. You have to fight for yourself!

Miyuji cried out. The voice was right! She slashed the monster with a swipe. The monster growled, dropping her. Miyuji picked up a large stick, the closet weapon, and charged towards the monster. She jammed the stick through the monster, causing goop to spill everywhere.

"I don't need to fight for anyone but myself!" she declared. "That's my drive to become a hero!"

She panted, dropping the now-broken stick. She was covered in goop, but she didn't care. She'd won, and that was all that mattered.

"Not bad, kid."

She turned around, facing a middle-aged man wearing a hooded red cloak, and black hair tied into a ponytail. A sword was leaning over his shoulder.

Miyuji gasped. "You… you're Kamikaze, right?"

"Call me Atomic Samurai," the man replied.

Miyuji gasped. The man could train her how to become strong... how to fight for herself.

"Atomic Samurai, sir!" Miyuji ran over to him. "Teach me to become a swordsman!"

Atomic Samurai stared at her. "Kid, you-"

"Please, sir!" Miyuji pleaded. "Let me become your disciple! I want to become strong!"

Atomic Samurai pulled out an apple, and placed it in front of her. He put his scabbard next to it.

"An apple?" Miyuji asked.

"I judge a person's ability by how they cut an apple," the hero explained. "Like palm-reading. It tells their life story."

Miyuji wasn't sure how that worked, but it was worth a shot. She grabbed Atomic Samurai's scabbard, and pulled out his sword.

So cool, she thought, admiring the weapon.

She breathed in, holding out the sword. She thought about her parents, and the fight she'd had against the monster.

Whether he will accept me or not, it doesn't matter, she thought. I'm going to fight for myself! My life isn't meaningless!

She swung the sword back and forth, cutting the apple into multiple pieces. She lowered the weapon, and stared at Atomic Samurai. His expression was unreadable.

"You're a bit of a loner, huh, kid?" he asked. "You've had a quiet life. But now, you've had a change of heart."

Miyuji looked away.

"Heh…" the man grinned. "What's your name, kid?"

"Miyuji, sir," Miyuji said.

"Well, Miyuji," he said. "Welcome onboard. You're officially my fourth disciple."

"Protect the peace, the peace, the peace! But are you gonna fall?"

Ayano was really slamming down on that guitar, Miyuji had to admit. She was bringing the Strawberry Thieves to a whole new level. The crowd was loving it! How the girl got so talented, Miyuji didn't know… but perhaps she had a similar experience to Miyuji herself. Facing death made her realise she wanted to face life instead.

Maybe I don't have to fight for myself all the time, Miyuji thought. I can fight for others, sometimes.