"M-Mister Aizawa…?" I knocked on the door cautiously, peeking my head into the teacher's shared offices. Instead, I found a familiar head of gravity defying blonde hair. I smiled shyly. "Uh, h-hey, Present Mic!" I scanned the room one more time before asking, "d-do you know where Mister Aizawa is?"

The sunglasses wearing hero waved at me casually. "Hey Kuro-chan! Sorry, Shouta isn't 'round here, just left. Something up?" I had gotten to know Present Mic over the two months before school started, because he was Mister Aizawa's best friend, not that my mentor would ever openly admit it.

"N-no, I just w-wanted to ask about my internship," I explained, stepping inside the room and closing the door behind me. "I know everyone else h-had t-to submit paperwork, b-but I wasn't sure if I h-had to…"

Present Mic chuckled, waving his hand negligently. "Don't worry about it, Kuro-chan. Aizawa's agency has always been on the ball about that stuff. They're almost all underground heroes, so they don't have too much paperwork to lose stuff in," he glanced at me, and I fixed my eyes to the floor meekly, biting my lip. "Seriously, Kuro-chan, what's up?"

I sighed. "Um… c-can I use a c-computer in here?" I asked, crossing my fingers.

"Sure thing!" Present Mic agreed immediately. "Mind if I ask what for?"

I huffed, taking one of the spinning chairs in front of an immaculate desk, quickly letting my fingers skim the keys. "T-Tenya's been acting odd, and I h-have a theory," I answered, watching the search bar load. The first article to pop up was in all caps, and it made my blood run cold: HERO KILLER ATTACKS INGENIUM IN HOSU! My eyes widened, and I shot up from my chair. "P-Present Mic, are you sure you d-don't know where M-Mister Aizawa is?"

"Nope, sorry Kuro-chan," Present Mic apologize. "Sure I can't help?"

I shook my head, wondering if it would be a mistake. "N-no… I think I should ask Mister Aizawa f-first," I bowed to him politely. "Thank you for your h-help," I added, before spinning and rushing out the door.

I had plans to make, because if I was right, Tenya was about to go Hero Killer hunting, and that wouldn't end well for anyone involved. I bolted from hallway to hallway, flying down stairways and peering through every open door and window I could. I needed to find him now, now, now. My feet danced to the rhythm of the mantra, my heart pounding through my ears and ringing in my skull. Tenya was in danger, Tenya was going to die, Mister Aizawa had to stop him now, now, now.

I finally spotted him outside the window of the school. He was in the training field, running laps. He'd taken off his usual black outfit, opting for a tank-top and sweats, hair tied up behind his head. I immediately recognized him, and I thoughtlessly ran up to the window. Pulling the latches, I pushed it open and jumped out. It was only two stories in the air, lower than some jumps Mister Aizawa had made me practice before, so I tucked into a roll, not bothering to use my quirk as I spun over my shoulders onto my feet, again darting across the training field.

"Mister Aizawa!" I called. "MISTER AIZAWA!" The man halted instantaneously, turning to see me, panting and wide eyed, fleeing towards him. I skidded to a stop in front of him, gasping for air. "Mister Aizawa, T-Tenya wants to find the H-Hero Killer…!"

Mister Aizawa looked grim. "I thought so," he confirmed, and I forced my breathing to slow.

I glared at him. "You knew!? And you allowed him t-to sign up?! Why?!" I clenched my fists at my sides, furious beyond belief.

Mister Aizawa sighed, looking unbelievably tired. "Because if I stopped him, he'd find another way. At least he'll be with a professional hero who's watching him," Mister Aizawa looked at me consideringly. "Also, who said I was allowing anything?"

I stared at him in confusion. "... What?"

"We're going to Hosu, Ichigo. Congrats," he tossed something in my hands, and I caught it automatically. It was a red belt that looked awfully similar to Mister Aizawa's own. "You're going to learn how to use that, and finish learning to integrate your scarf into your combat style. Do that, and I'll consider letting you follow me after your friend."

I blinked, stunned, before nodding solemnly. "I understand, Mister Aizawa," I said. "I won't fail."

"Good," Mister Aizawa agreed casually. "Also, you didn't stutter. Great job," he pat me on the head, and his tone was so dry and sarcastic it took me a second to realize what he'd said.

When the thought finished circulating through my brain, my jaw dropped. "Eh?! B-but how-!"

Mister Aizawa placed his hand over my mouth. "I'll give you a pass on that one," he said. "It's obvious you can talk without stuttering now, so don't speak unless you're sure you won't stutter. Otherwise…" he paused dramatically. "I'll add twenty push ups to your warm up per repeated syllable." My eyes widened fearfully, and I nodded frantically. That was a heavy threat. I hated push ups. "Alright then, start running," Mister Aizawa ordered, pulling his hand back. I looked at him oddly. "Get on. Go," he urged. "I don't care that you're in your uniform. You jumped out the window to get here, you might as well get started running."

I groaned exasperatedly, turning towards the track and starting off at a slow jog. "You're m-mean!" I yelled back at him.

"Add twenty!" Mister Aizawa hollered back, and I sighed in defeat.

I stood in the train station, quietly watching my classmates board one-by-one. They seemed so carefree and excited. My hands reached up to clasp the scarf hung around my neck, remembering the promise I'd made. I wouldn't fail Tenya, even if he was his own enemy. I'd never had friends before, I'd never had so many people care I existed.

"Hey, Icchan?" I glanced over my shoulder to see Ochako and Izuku.

I forced myself to smile. "H-hey guys!" I chirped, turning around fully. "G-getting ready to go?"

"Yep!" Ochako held up her clenched fist, eyes lighting with determination. "I'm going to Gunhead's Agency to get more combat experience!"

"You are as well?" Momo suddenly appeared in my field of vision, looking at Ochako. "That is where my internship is."

Ochako grinned, offering Momo her hand. "I've seen Icchan hanging out with you before, and any friend of hers is a friend of mine!" She cheered.

Momo shook her hand. "The same holds true of me. It will be an honor training with you, Uraraka."

Ochako gave Momo a thumbs up. "Sure thing!" she agreed, before spinning around and hugging me tightly. Now used to this treatment, I didn't tense up, actually hugging her back. "I'll see you in a week!" She whispered in my ear fiercely, before letting me go and grabbing her suitcase. Ochako started towards her train immediately, chatting up a storm with Momo.

I watched them go, a bittersweet smile on my face. Momo and Ochako would get along well, their personalities were well-suited to each other. I almost feared them meeting, because they would undoubtedly grow closer, and I was scared what that would mean for me. Would they forget about me, like so many had done before?

"Ichigo…?" I glanced back at Izuku, who was looking concerned. "Are you okay?" He asked.

I shook my head, crossing my arms defensively. "It's nothing," I answered dismissively. "So, w-where're you going f-for your internship?"

Izuku watched me cautiously, before seeming to dismiss my odd behaviour as well. "There's a hero, his name's Gran Torino," Izuku said. "All Might recommended him."

My eyes widened. "Talk about h-high praise," I pat Izuku on the shoulder. "H-have fun!" I grinned brightly.

"You too," Izuku responded, gathering his luggage together. I nodded, watching him head towards his train. My eyes grew darker as he walked away, and I reached up to grab my scarf again compulsively.

A hand fell on my shoulder. I looked up, startled, to see Mister Aizawa. "We'll be taking a train to Hosu tonight," he declared. "Pack up your stuff, meet me here again at eight pm, got it?"

I took a deep breath, exhaled, and then spoke, focusing carefully. "Yes, Mister Aizawa," I agreed. My grip on my scarf only grew tighter.

That night, I met Mister Aizawa at the train station, at exactly eight pm. I had my backpack slung over my shoulder, all my worldly possessions inside, along with a belt securing my sleeping bag to the back. Mister Aizawa raised an eyebrow at my lack of stuff, but didn't press.

"We'll be on the train for a few hours," Mister Aizawa explained the plan. "The agency's already cleared me for fieldwork in Hosu for the next week, despite it being out of my usual area. So, we're going to get there, we'll drop our belongings off at the hotel we've been booked for, and then get suited up and go on patrol."

My eyes widened. "Mister Aizawa, that'll be at two am!" I protested.

Mister Aizawa grinned at me in that familiar, beatific manner. "I work at night, Ichigo. You'll have to get used to it," he declared. I suddenly noticed how much more awake than usual Mister Aizawa appeared. Everything clicked.

"You're nocturnal," I deadpanned. My shoulders slumped, and I hung my head in defeat. "And so I'll have to be as well."

"Indeed," Mister Aizawa agreed, swaggering off towards the train. "Now, let's get going. If you want to get a three hour patrol in, we'll need to catch this train," he said. I sighed heavily, hefting my bag over my shoulder and dragging my feet after him. I'd never been a fan of caffeine before, but I had a feeling that after this internship, I would become a major consumer.

Walking through the metal doors of the train car, I awkwardly wove my way through the sea of legs and exhausted looking people, following Mister Aizawa. I sat down next to him on one of the many plastic, faded orange benches lining the walls. When he made no attempts to look at me, I shifted awkwardly. Turning in my seat, I crossed my arms across the top of the bench and laid my chin on my arms, staring out the window at the starless sky. I had never seen the stars in person, but the pictures I'd seen online looked beautiful. I closed my eyes, envisioning the pictures of the starry skies I'd seen.

"You aren't going to play on your phone or something?" Mister Aizawa questioned, breaking my concentration.

My eyes snapped open, and I bit my lip in thought. "No," I said. "I did b-bring some library books, though. I wanted to save them…"

"Alright," Mister Aizawa agreed casually, leaning back in his seat. "Also, plus twenty." I huffed in amusement, tucking my face back into my arms. That threat had already gotten old. I returned to imagining a night sky full of lights, and tried to ignore the shaking of the train and the voices of the people around me.

My mind vanished into a daze, and I fell into a half-sleep. I couldn't be sure how much time passed. I was eventually woken up by a hand shaking my shoulder. I reacted instantly, leaping to my feet and sending a punch towards the person who'd touched me while I was asleep. A strong grip around my wrist broke my haze. I met Mister Aizawa's sharp eyes, and my stance slackened.

"Sorry…" I mumbled, drawing my hands back against my chest. I picked up my backpack, refusing to make eye-contact with my mentor again.

Mister Aizawa's eyes followed me, before he turned around and dragged his suitcase from off the rack above our seats. "Let's go," he said, apparently deciding to ignore my strange behavior. I nodded, following him and thanking him for choosing not pursue the topic. Sleeping on the streets had taught me to sleep lightly, and to react violently when someone touched me uninvited.

Exiting the train, I followed Mister Aizawa as he charted a path through the quickly moving crowd. People seemed to part out of his way, and I trailed behind him closely to avoid being trampled. I couldn't help but admire my teacher now. During the day, Mister Aizawa looked scruffy and tired, not impressive at all. At night, the exhaustion that constantly followed my mentor around seemed to fade away. Mister Aizawa looked strong and intimidating now. His slouch went away, and his eyes looked far more alert now. He was still scruffy and rough around the edges, but his entire atmosphere had changed into something far more threatening.

I wondered if I could ever walk like that, with that constant, looming air of power in every step. Was this how heroes managed to inspire others? They held so much strength that they couldn't help but be charismatic and confident? When I held that power, would I be the same?

The hotel we arrived at made my jaw drop. It was sky high, with fountains and pillars in the front. I could see sleek black cars dropping off people in expensive looking clothes, dripping in so much jewelry they appeared to shine in the dim lighting. Bell-boys in red uniforms took their luggage, and I stared in utter shock as we drew closer.

Mister Aizawa grunted as we drew closer. "I told them nowhere showy," he muttered bitterly, and I glanced up at him with wide eyes. He hadn't wanted somewhere luxurious?! I didn't get a chance to question him before he started walking again, striding towards the building. I struggled to keep up, short legs slowing me down as always. Mister Aizawa walked right up to the front of the building, heading towards the entrance.

One of the bellboys tried to stop him. "Excuse me, sir, are you sure-" Mister Aizawa glanced at him darkly, cearly impatient. His eyes flashed red, and the bellboy back off immediately, looking cowed.

Mister Aizawa strode through the grand entrance of the hotel, dragging his suitcase across the gleaming marble floors up to the decorated front desk. I was scanning the humongous entrance area frantically. There was another fountain in the middle of the cavernous room. Red carpets ran along the floors, with steps leading up to a seating area filled with plush looking couches and chairs.

Mister Aizawa stopped in front of the front desk. "Shouta Aizawa," he said. "I have reservations for a room for two."

The receptionist glanced at him, looking disbelieving. Appearing to humor him, she typed Mister Aizawa's name into her computer. Her eyes widened. "Of course, sir," she agreed. "One moment," her hands rocketed across the keyboard, lightning fast, before she removed two plastic cards from the machine on her desk. "These are your room keys, you have room 548," she smiled at my mentor. "Do you need anything else?"

"No," Mister Aizawa said shortly, turning on his heel and starting towards the elevator. I stumbled after him, still shell-shocked by the hotel's lavish decor. Mister Aizawa hit the button for the elevator roughly, catching my attention. "I don't like these places," he complained under his breath. "They're nosy." I covered my mouth to hide my giggles at the childish words coming from my normally serious and mature teacher. Mister Aizawa glanced down at me challengingly. "What is it?" he demanded, and I shook my head, trying to stop my shoulders from shaking.

"N-nothing," I gasped, sliding into the elevator beside Mister Aizawa. My eyes widened when I realized the walls of the elevator were glass, and I could therefore look outside and see the indoor balconies of the rooms fly by.

Mister Aizawa narrowed his eyes at me. "Plus twenty," he quipped monotonously, and I didn't bother to react, continuing to stare outside the glass. I grinned when I spotted the paper planes lining the windows, and I pointed them out to Mister Aizawa. He merely rolled his eyes, grumbling something about kids.

When the elevator came to a stop, I was quick to follow Mister Aizawa out the doors and down the carpeted halls of the elevator. Room 548 wasn't far from the elevator, so we reached it fast, and with the swipe of a keycard, Mister Aizawa opened the door. I stepped into the hotel room, and my jaw dropped all over again. The hotel room had a small living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen, and a closet with a washing machine and dryer inside. There was a small hallway leading from the living room, and I darted forwards to peek down it. There were two bedrooms, one was a master suite, and the other a small bedroom with a twin bed and subsequent bathroom. The walls were painted an off-white, the carpet was a pale beige, and the lights running along the roof looked like little, bright bubbles.

I was grinning so wide my cheeks hurt. This week was going to be great! This was the nicest place I'd ever been in!

"Drop your stuff in the that room," Mister Aizawa ordered, jerking a thumb at the smaller bedroom and taking the master suite for himself. "Change into your costume, bring the belt and scarf. We're going on patrol until 6 am," he declared, slamming the door shut behind him.

My smile fell. "But that's four hours!" I protested. "I'm going t-to die!"

Mister Aizawa's only response was a muffled, "Plus twenty," through the door.

A/N So... I'm out of proverbs to put at the start. So oh well, I guess that jig is up. Whoops.