Weeks came and went. I had become uneasy though. Having slipped up when talking to Kiritani I realised I needed to make a bigger effort in distancing myself from her. If she figured out I was All Might things would get complicated.
This was proving difficult though as the vivacious woman seemed to have taken her neighbourly kindness up a notch. On several occasions she'd turn up at my apartment door in the evenings. It also seemed she'd developed a habit of cooking too much and was looking to share. I'd try to shut it down but got nowhere.
"You're so skinny, Yagi-san. I feel an obligation to make sure you're eating," she'd say. I found myself cursing my courteous nature. Kiritani was surprisingly forceful and I was too polite to say no so ended up taking it each time. This of course meant I'd need to interact with her further by returning the container the food was delivered in later.
My concern rapidly progressed after one incident in particular. I'd been involved in a huge confrontation down in Tokyo. I'd already been involved in several de-escalations earlier in the day when I'd received one final request for assistance. At first it didn't look like anything too dramatic. I knew I only had a limited amount of time left in my muscle form but I'd poorly assessed the combat requirement.
I had been under the impression it was a single villain. When I arrived at the scene though I quickly established that it was in fact a gang of villains. Their quirks were tedious. One could phase in and out of a gaseous form, making him hard to capture. One could shoot small tennis ball sized cannon balls from his arms. I'd taken a hit to my side protecting a group of civilians.
I kept my heroic smile up but my side felt like it was on fire. I coughed. I felt a trickle of blood on the side of my mouth. I immediately wiped it. Media helicopters were overhead. This fight was being streamed live. I had to keep up appearances. I couldn't show weakness. I needed to end this quickly.
I pushed through the pain. I targeted the cannon villain first, weaving in and out of the gaseous villain. I knocked them unconscious.
"Y-you won't take me out!" the final villain stammered. He shot forward to attack me. I knew that at the last moment he'd take a solid form. That would be my chance.
With the other villains out of the way I could focus. I waited just until the moment he shifted to his physical form and then shot forward a punch. It connected with his temple and he was knocked unconscious.
My breaths heaved in my chest. I clenched my jaw. Again, I had gone past my limit. I didn't stop to talk to the police. I needed to get home... no I wouldn't last in my muscle form long enough. I'd have to go to the office, it's closer. I kicked off.
I clumsily land on my office balcony, pushing my way inside. Immediately I deflate out of my muscle form. I feel light headed. I pull off my costume. A large purple and blue bruise is spreading across my side. It's gnarly but I've had worse. Much worse.
I change into my civilian clothes. I consider crashing at the office but after resting for a few moments I decide I have the energy to get home. Truthfully I'd feel more comfortable in my own bed. I would catch a taxi home.
I exit the office, making my way to the ground floor. My head is pounding and my body aches greatly. I flag a taxi and collapse into the back seat. I lazily give the driver an address near my apartment and he takes off.
On the way back I realise I'm having a harder time than I first thought. I feel my vision become hazy. I have difficulty staying awake.
"Big night?" the driver asks.
"Yeah," I murmur back. The taxi driver chuckles.
It feels like it take forever to arrive. I feel myself getting hot. If I'm not careful I might actually pass out. It's almost an amusing thought really. I'm All Might and I'm a mess. It would be truly a horrifying thought if anyone ever made the connection and realised that the symbol of peace isn't as strong as he presented himself to be.
"We're here, buddy... come on I want you out before you throw up in my car," the driver said. I guess I seemed drunk to him. I push myself out of my seat and out the taxi door. The air was brisk against my face. Was I burning up?
I stumble down the street to my apartment. I feel myself swaying. Damn, if I knew I was going to be like this I'd definitely had stayed at the office. It's not far though. I can make it.
I get to the stairs of my apartment. I begin struggling my way up.
I could feel sweat dripping down the back of my neck. I clutched the railing. This was bad. I could feel myself fading. If I could just make it too my apartment I'll be fine. I can pass out there. I just need to make it up these last few steps. I took in a shaky breath and willed myself forward. I got to the top and started walking to my apartment door. My feet dragged. The air felt thick in my lungs. I was nearly there.
I nearly choked hearing the rattle of a door opening ahead. My vision was fuzzy. I barely made out of the figure of Kiritani running toward me.
"Yagi-san!" she cried. Shit! What was she doing up so late? My mind raced as I tried to piece together an explanation.
"I... uh.. fell," I murmured. She moved her small body under my shoulder, wrapping an arm around my waist. I grunted as she pressed against the bruise on my side. She quickly realised she was hurting me and shifted her hand.
"Lets get you inside," she said. Her small stature did little to support me but she did end up leading along to the door of my apartment. I braced myself against the wall by the door. She patted down my pockets in search for my keys. Normally I'd feel embarrassed at such an action but right now all my energy was on staying conscious. I felt her small hand slip into my left pocket, pulling out my apartment key. She unlocked my door and guided me in.
Somehow I made it to my bedroom where I collapsed face forward onto my bed. She helped me roll onto my back before unlacing and removing my shoes for me. She hovered nearby nervously. I rested the back of my hand on my forehead. I could feel the moisture on my skin.
"Um... Yagi-san is there someone I should call for you?" she asked. She reached out, moving my hand to feel my temperature. Her face came in and out of focus. I could see she was concerned.
"No. I'll be okay. I just need to rest," I murmured. She shifted uncomfortably.
"I... I trust you if you say so. Still.. I feel uneasy about leaving you alone," she replied. She spotted the notepad I kept on my bedside table. She leant over, picking it up along with the pen I had placed there.
"I'm writing down my phone number. Please call me if you need anything, got it? You can rely on me," she said. I closed my eyes, listening to her scribble her number down onto the paper.
"Got it," I replied. She placed the paper and pen back down. She hovered over me for a few more moments.
"Okay. I'm going back to my apartment. Please look after yourself, Yagi-san," she said. Her voice sounded strained.
"Mm," I said.
I was asleep before I even had the opportunity to hear her leave. I was too wounded to care about her having access to my apartment.
It was only the following morning that, my anxiety about the whole situation began to creep up.