It's early morning at the train station. I'm standing at the platform with Keigo, the chilled breeze rustling our hair. The sun peeks through the clouds as it steadily rises.
"Well it's a good thing you don't have much to move after your abode was destroyed," Keigo jokes. "And what little you do have has already been sent to your new apartment."
I giggle a bit but then lower my gaze. Keigo stares down at me, knowing this is bittersweet for us both.
"So…what will you tell the guys?" I ask.
"I'll explain that the Commission assigned you to Musutafu at Endeavor Hero Agency," Keigo replies. "And that's the truth. I won't say anything more than what you want me to."
"It's best I cut contact with them…for their own safety. Please let them know."
"I will," Keigo nods.
Keigo then takes out a red cellphone from his pocket and hands it to me.
"Your new phone," Keigo places it in my hand. "I know your old one was destroyed back at your abode, too. The President had me deliver it to you."
"Oh, thank you," I nod.
"Don't be a stranger," Keigo says. "My number is already saved. If you ever need anything, always remember - I'm only one call away."
I give Keigo a warm smile before we embrace.
"I'm gonna miss spending most of my time with you and the gang…" I say.
"We'll miss you, too…" Keigo says.
"I love you, Keigo. Please stay safe."
"I love you, too, Akira… Please stay safe."
I break away as my eyes begin to tear up.
"Hey," Keigo wipes a tear from my eye. "This isn't goodbye forever. Think of it as - see ya later."
"O-Okay," I nod and smile.
"I gotta head back to the facility. The President wants to meet with me," he slightly shifts his stance to his right.
Keigo places his hand gently on my cheek, giving me one last warm expression before taking off. I turn around and wipe my eyes, staying strong for Keigo's sake.
'I'll make you proud, Keigo…' I think to myself.
After turning to face the platform, I hold my new red phone, opening my contacts. The one contact saved in it is under Hawks. Our photo from when we were younger is the assigned contact image. My blank expression next to Keigo's smiling face. My eyes tear up at the sight as a small smile spreads across my face.
Keigo perches himself at the ledge of a nearby rooftop that oversees the boarding platform of the train station.
"Just barely got away in time," Keigo comments to himself. "Any longer, and I'm sure I woulda bawled like a toddler."
Keigo exhales with a shake of his head with his head lowered. He lifts his gaze and watches as Akira awaits her train.
'It hurts to see you leave,' Keigo thinks to himself. 'After being practically attached at the hips…it's gonna take some time to adjust.'
Keigo inserts his hands in his pockets as he continues to watch over Akira from afar.
'I've asked you if you really only see me as a sibling…' Keigo continues to think. 'I know in my heart you love me the way I love you, but it isn't clicking in your mind…which isn't your fault…. I don't wanna push you… I want you to realize your love for me on your own, no matter how long it takes.'
The train approaches on the tracks, and Akira prepares to board.
'It'd be selfish of me to hold you back…' Keigo thinks. 'I truly love you enough to let you go…so you can heal… When you come back, I'll be right here,' a tear rolls down his face.
Keigo watches Akira board the train and the doors slide closed. With that, he puts on his visors, flaps his wings and takes off.
Keigo enters the President's office, closing the door behind him.
"How was Akira's departure?" The President types away at her computer.
"She boarded the train to Musutafu as planned," Keigo stands some feet in front of the desk.
"And the tracked phone?"
"Delivered as you instructed."
"Good. We'll be able to trace her exact location 24/7."
Keigo's gaze lowers to the floor in thought.
"You must be thrilled that Akira and I are finally separated," Keigo snarks. "Why track her? You got what you wanted. Just leave her be."
"I have my reasons."
"If only I knew what they were. The reasons you use to justify your callousness toward Akira."
"As I've said before - it doesn't involve you," the President sternly stares at Keigo. "Don't come in here upset about Akira leaving. This all began when you brought her out into the public eye where you flaunted your relationship with her. Your so-called sibling relationship. That's what led to your kidnapping to get to Akira. That's what made her leave. Did you forget?"
Keigo remains silent.
"Right," the President returns to typing at her computer.
"So what purpose do you have for me now?" Keigo asks.
"You'll carry on assignments for the Commission as usual. I'll have you pop in on Akira every once in a while."
"So I'll continue spying on her?"
"You'll report your findings on Akira on a monthly basis. I already have Endeavor reporting her status to me on a weekly basis, so she'll be monitored well."
Keigo gazes down in thought.
"You have nothing from me at the moment," the President types away. "You're dismissed."
Keigo slowly turns around and exits the office.
The gang is back at the agency this morning, preparing to start their day of patrol. They're lounging on the couches as they prepare to leave.
"Let's see who gets the most work done today! You and me!" Yamato exclaims to Hiroshi.
"Ha! As if you had a chance!" Hiroshi laughs.
"Afraid of a little competition?"
"Try me!"
"It's a little too early for your bantering…" Minoru rubs his temple.
Their attention then turns to Keigo entering through the balcony. He slides the glass door open and closes it after him.
"Hey!" Yamato and Hiroshi greet.
"You're a bit late today," Minoru notes.
"Everyone - I have an announcement," Keigo has a serious face. "As of today, Nova is no longer with Hawks Agency."
"What?!" Everyone exclaims.
"Why?!" Hiroshi asks.
"Due to enemies kidnapping and holding me hostage to get to Akira," Keigo explains. "The Commission deemed it too dangerous to keep her here. She's been assigned to Musutafu at Endeavor Hero Agency. You cannot contact her for your own safety."
"This is…unexpected," Minoru says.
"This sucks…" Hiroshi is disappointed.
"Endeavor Hero Agency, huh…damn," Yamato grimaces.
"It was decided that keeping me and Nova separated would be best…to keep everyone safe…"
"So…are you two…breaking up?" Yamato asks.
"Yamato!" Minoru scolds him.
"Sorry…" Yamato feels bad. "It's just…so sudden… She couldn't be here when we found out?"
"We're practically losing a family member," Hiroshi is still shocked. "It doesn't seem fair for Nova to just be sent away like that."
"Guess that's just how the Commission runs things, huh?" Yamato adds.
Keigo keeps his gaze away from the group before he heads toward his office.
"You all go ahead and start patrolling for the day," Keigo says. "I'll join shortly."
Everyone remains silent for a moment. Yamato and Hiroshi head out, unsure of what to make of the announcement. Minoru quickly walks over to Keigo and puts a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"Hey…" Minoru says. "You okay?"
Keigo doesn't respond.
"It's difficult news for all of us…" Minoru says. "But you must be the most devastated."
Keigo keeps his back to Minoru for a moment before turning his head to him with a smile.
"I'll be fine!" Keigo insists. "Carry on as usual!"
Minoru stares at Keigo for a moment, tilting his head down with a worried stare before he turns and heads out. Keigo enters his office, closing the door behind him. He approaches his desk, his eyes landing on a plaque given to him by the Commission's senior faculty. He takes a hold of it, the flat piece of gold engraved with Hawks. As Keigo adjusts it in the light, he can see a reflection of half his face. He grunts and hurls the gold plaque across the office, hastily shoving everything off his desk as he lets out a yell.
I unlock the door to my assigned apartment and enter, closing the door after me. I gaze around the dimly lit apartment, seeing it's already furnished. An L shaped white sofa sits across a mounted flat screen television. Toward the back is the kitchen with a four seat dining table. I head into the bedroom where there are a few boxes with my belongings from my old abode sitting on the floor. I reach inside of one, grabbing a black photo album. Out of all the things I lost back at my old abode, I'm glad that this wasn't destroyed. I stash the photo album away in the night stand next to my new bed. Heading back to the living area, I stand in the middle of the apartment with my hands at my sides. A deep exhale escapes my mouth as I'm surrounded in silence with the faint noise from the busy city outside.
Seven months later
Keigo is soaring through the city in the afternoon, passing over crowds of bustling people and traffic. He perches on top of a street light pole, directly in front of a monitor displaying the news. The banner at the bottom of the screen reads: Shocking! All Might's True Form with a picture of All Might in his weakened state as he holds his left arm up. Keigo stares intently at the screen.
"About a half day has passed since All Might's final fight," the news anchor says. "It's been devastating since his announced retirement."
"A group of criminals known as the League of Villains is continuing to rise," the second news anchor says. "With All Might no longer the symbol of hope, who will rise to take on the title?"
Keigo pulls his phone out of his pocket. He pulls up his text messages, stopping at the contact image of him and Akira when they were younger. He stares at her blank expression, a somber feeling weighing on him.
"Since I left Fukuoka, I've reverted back to being a loner," Akira's text reads. "I hope you're not disappointed."
Keigo feels bad knowing Akira is alone most of the time, a contrast to how her life was back here in Fukuoka. No matter how much he wants, he can't leave to stay with her.
'It's been a while since I last saw her,' Keigo thinks to himself. 'I'll visit her tonight.'
"Hey! It's Hawks!" People exclaim down below.
"He must be texting Nova!" A person says.
"They broke up about seven months ago, remember?"
"They didn't break up! They must be in a long distance relationship."
"I bet he misses her."
Keigo slips his phone back into his pocket and flies off.
'I do miss her…' he thinks to himself. 'That I do.'
Keigo is walking down a hall in the Commission facility. His eyes stay glued to his phone on the image of him and Akira.
'Not much progress has been made yet on my goal…' Keigo thinks to himself. 'Crimes are rising, so it doesn't seem like it's gonna get any easier.'
Keigo stares down at the image, his eyes full of yearning and love at Akira.
'But I'm determined,' Keigo thinks. 'No matter what, I'm working on reaching my goal…so that we can be together.'
Keigo reaches a door down the hall and stops in front of it. He stares at the photo for a bit longer.
'I'm just glad you're with Endeavor,' Keigo thinks. 'Please stay safe.'
Keigo slips his phone into his pocket before knocking on the door. After opening it, he spots the President and a senior Commission faculty member with short white hair wearing a black business suit.
"Sorry I'm late!" Keigo closes the door. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting much."
"It's fine," the President says.
"So what's this about?"
"We're here to discuss a problem."
"And what problem is that?" Keigo sounds carefree.
"The League of Villains."
Keigo's attention perks up.
"What about them?" Keigo asks. "Since the attack on the student camp, it seems they've laid low."
"It seems. But that isn't the case," the President says. "They're on the move in the dark."
"Their reputation and activity is showing their growing threat," the senior member adds. "We can't get a firm grasp on the League."
"What does that have to do with me?" Keigo asks.
The President stands with her arms crossed as they continue their conversation. The senior Commission member stands at the window panel with his hands folded behind his back.
"Get accepted by the League of Villains, Hawks," the senior member orders.
"Huh? Wait a minute. I don't understand," Keigo holds his hand up in confusion. "You're making a search team, right? With Gran Torino and the rest?"
"Where did you hear about that?" the senior member turns to him in surprise.
Keigo covers his mouth with the high collar of his jacket, seeming he's given himself away.
"That's exactly why we want you, Hawks," the President says. "You have sharp eyes and ears."
"At the Kamino battle, we had to consider the safety of the kidnapping victim, so we had to rush. In the end, we didn't have enough intel and misread the opponent's strength. In order to stamp out dark organizations, we need a lot of information. Especially about that bioengineered human… Is that something that can be made using just All For One's power? If we don't learn everything we can about the League, then we will just keep making the same mistakes."
"So while I'm in with them, you want me to just ignore the harm they cause?" Keigo sternly asks.
"We're asking you because we think you're someone who can ignore it," the senior member turns to Keigo. "You're indifferent to prestige and fame, and you have your eyes fixed on your long-term goal. We think there's no one more suitable than you."
"Is this really necessary?" Keigo asks.
"We considered utilizing Nova on this assignment," the President remarks.
"Leave her out of this," Keigo quickly states.
"Relax - we've decided not to go with her. She'd be at risk anyway of being used for her quirk. You're the only other option we have."
Keigo stares firmly at the President.
"It's a proposition," the President says. "By going after the League of Villains from the inside and outside, we can cut off their retreat for sure."
"Proposition!" Keigo exclaims with a bit of a chuckle. "You're calling it that even though you know I can't refuse. That's mean."
"I'm not denying that, Hawks. Fortunately, you were unable to make it to Kamino."
Keigo recalls the photo of him with Akira.
'This is it,' Keigo thinks to himself. 'My shot at reaching my goal…to finally be with Akira… She's always been able to sacrifice her well-being for the sake of everyone… It's time I take it on for her sake.'
The President and the senior member await Keigo's response.
"The secret investigation into the League of Villains…" Keigo holds his right arm out with a flap of his wings. "If getting my hands dirty would help everyone else rest easy," he takes a bow. "Then I gladly take it on."
Keigo gazes up with a determined gaze.
'I'm Hawks…' he thinks. 'A man too fast for my own good… A world where heroes have too much time on their hands… where I can be at peace with Akira… I will definitely get that…as fast as I possibly can.'