My head was clearer the next day, more so when Moe asked me to help him get ready for his first official big-kid class. His uniform had to be perfectly wrinkle-free, he even had me trim his hair a little so he'd seem more tidy. His backpack had two empty notebooks and countless spare writing utensils. He also wanted to take snacks and sweets in case someone got hungry. I was half-convinced he'd find it too embarrassing to hold my hand, but he reached to me before I could ask.

"Oh my god!" Uraraka squealed at breakfast, "He looks so cute!"

Moe puffed his cheeks out in annoyance. Cute was not his goal today. Miraculously, Ida caught on.

"On the contrary," he said, "The youngest Manderly looks like he'd fit right in with the older students of UA. As class president, I often have to give uniform citations, and yours is without a visible fault."

"Thanks." I whispered to Ida as my brother swelled with pride.

Moe made me finish quickly so we could be the first to arrive. We nearly were; Mr. Aizawa was just setting up an extra desk by the front.

"Oh, I should have realized you'd be early." He said, only half turning to address us, "I'll be done in a moment." Moe dashed over to help him straighten the desk, while I fetched the spare chair in the back, which had already been fitted with a booster so he could reach the normally-sized desk.

The poor kid looked like he could bounce right through the roof.

Seeming startled suddenly, Moe whirled to face Mr. Aizawa and gave a little bow.

"Good morning." His voice was quiet, as usual, and unexpectedly nervous. Mr. Aizawa smiled, briefly, before responding.

"Good morning."

I was a little surprised that he hadn't been seated next to me, but I kept quiet. This was about Moe, and being in the front would help him feel like he was here as himself, not an extension of me.

We trailed in and the teacher called attendance, adding Moe at the end. Then, he began a short lecture about our hero costumes, how they shaped our image, and how they were meant to be more than just decorative. Most costumes had very specific uses that facilitated quirk use.

Moe took furious notes. I did too, just in case he missed something and wanted to check with me later.

Then, our professor invited one of the Support course teachers to talk to us in more detail. She told us that everything was personally fitted, and listed some popular materials for certain quirk types.

Moe's hand shot up.

Ms. Joke told me that he rarely ever spoke in class. He'd always approach her afterwards with questions.

His little hand was shaking, but the support teacher took it into stride.

"Yes, question in the front?"

"…" I tried to telepathically transmit some bravery to him. "…if… if a hero changes… If a hero changes size or fighting style, and their costume and support items have to be updated, is it always done by the same support team that first made the gear?"

The teacher blinked, surprised. I failed to hide a proud smile. That kid read a lot, especially about what interested him.

"That is a really good question." She said, "I never say always, because exceptions happen all the time, but usually you stick to the original designers and technicians, since they'll understand their work best, and be able to make the most seamless changes. Now, if the hero is dissatisfied with their original work, and that can happen, they may opt to find someone new. In that case, though, it'll be less about alterations, and more about completely reworking the gear from scratch." Moe nodded and he no doubt noted everything she said verbatim.

"Thank you!" He said quickly, before returning to his notes.

"…are you interested in going into support?" She asked, making him stop and look up. Hesitantly, he nodded. "Then, why don't you and I chat some more after class?" He became a bobblehead, "Excellent."

Once the lecture concluded, we were sent to lunch, after which we'd have our joint class. We agreed that Moe could have a chat with the support teacher while I had my usual counseling in the afternoon.

He was skipping all the way to the cafeteria.

"How have you found your first high school class?" Ida asked Moe as we ate. Moe's eyes glimmered.

"Good."

"It's clear you're just as clever as your sister."

"Mh, way smarter." I said, "If you tried to put me in an advanced class at his age, I would have slept right through it." I thought back, "I did sleep through a lot of school before it got this interesting."

We laughed and enjoyed ourselves, and Moe once again dragged me away so we'd be early. The support classroom we entered was twice the size of our own and long. The desks were all pushed against the wall, and there was everything from welding gear to glitter scattered in the chaos.

Our specs had been given to the students a few days ago, and we'd been paired according to their specialties. I walked with Moe to the front, to drop him off with the teachers. Mr. Aizawa and Ms. Sutherland greeted him with a mixture of kindness and professionalism.

"Did you eat lunch?" The little boy asked them.

"Teachers have different meal schedules." Moe dug around his backpack and pulled out two lollipops.

What could they do? The teachers took them.

"Ah, Manderly." Ms. Sutherland said, then remedied, "Older Manderly. I'm glad to see you. I wanted to give you a heads-up about your assigned pair, Ms. Hagakure. She'll be a few minutes late. She asked beforehand, and will promptly make up for any lost time."

"Oh, sure." I said, "No problem at all. Thanks for letting me know." I let Moe and Ms. Sutherland talk, standing by Mr. Aizawa and watching my classmates filter in, chat, get measured and fit. It was a comfortable silence, and we both watched my brother become more and more comfortable.

"You may not see your childhood as an advantage here," My teacher said suddenly, thoughtful, "But being used to quirkless children is something a lot of people in the big city can't grasp. It likely never occurred to Moe that he'd have different chances of pursuing his dreams, quirk or no."

It took me a few moments to understand his statement at all.

"Yes…" I agreed slowly, "Midorya told me a bit of what it was like to grow up without a quirk but…" This was an uncomfortable subject. I trusted him though. I lowered my voice and met his eyes, "Moe has a quirk, sir."

I might have never seen him so surprised.

"Forgive me for assuming."

"No need." I said, "It's only natural. He hasn't used it since I first met him, and if he could have his way, he never would again." I heard how that sounded, "Well, that came out very ominous. Let me assure you he's never hurt a soul, it's not that kind of quirk thankfully. I honestly don't know too much about it myself, but rumors spread quick in a small town and he was significantly ostracized."

"I see." That was all the answer I was getting, "There's Hagakure. Go on."

"Yes, sir."

I thought I was missing something at first, but the floating uniform had to belong to someone.

"…Hagakure?" I asked tentatively, feeling silly.

"Yes!" Answer an unseen voice, "That's me! You can call me Toru, though."

"Ah, sure! Then you can call me Juniper."

"Nice to meet you!"

I held out my hand and she grasped and shook it. I wondered how inconvenient it must be to be invisible all the time, but thought it was probably rude to pity a stranger.

"Thanks for waiting up for me, I had to go to the doctor this morning and couldn't reschedule."

"Hey, you were barely five minutes late. No worries at all. Let's get started! I'm in your hands."

"Right!"

.

We moved to a corner of the room, where she took a tape measure and began to take all my measurements.

"You have a speed quirk, right?" She asked.

"Pretty much!"

"Do you mind telling me what usually slows you down?"

"Fatigue, mostly." I grimaced, "I get very sleepy." She took notes. "Also, I tend to move fast enough that it's like moving through water, if that makes sense."

"Gotcha. So from what I saw of your slowed-down fighting footage, you probably need something flexible that will offer as little resistance as possible. But also something at will protect you from any high-speed friction and collisions. Are you opposed to gloves?"

"Not at all!"

"Great. I want to give you some sturdy shoes too, with good traction and heavy enough to give you some momentum. Do you think that would slow you down too much?"

"I don't think so."

"Hm… I'll make the weighted soles detachable. Is your hair at the length you prefer it?" It was just below my shoulders.

"I like it about a centimeter longer if we're being nit-picky."

"In that case, we'll need something to hold it back. A headband or bandana."

"Oh, I like the sound of a bandana."

"Yes! It would look so cute on you!" I thought back to Hawks' comments.

"Someone told me it's noticeable when I move quickly and my hair shifts. Do you think having it down will be a problem?"

"Hm, can you show me?" I took a breath, jogged to the other side of the room, and back, trying to minimize momentum.
My hair blew into my face and I laughed.

"Okay, so I can usually minimize that a bit."

"For stealth purposes, it might be a good idea to tie back your hair. But we can still make it cute! What about pigtails?"

"I'm willing to give that a try!"

"Let's talk colors."

.

"Okay," I said, face red, "This is definitely too tight." That bodysuit felt a lot like one of those disposable gloves doctors put on.

"Hm, restricted movement?"

"Oh yeah."

"Maybe the second skin needs to be softer… let's try this." She pulled out some soft-looking tights, "They look thin, but these have some nice shock absorption, and I haven't met a blade that can cut through them. While you're at it, try these knee-high boots. Aren't they cute?"

I was starting to feel like a doll, but I figured this had to be a very fun day for the support students, so I played along as she ha me try different combinations and styles and materials.

.

"Is everyone ready?" Toru asked the room, "Meet Solace!" The pulled aside the curtain and I gave a bashful grin.

My main piece was a romper of sorts; I'd negotiated the shorts opening a bit at the bottom so didn't feel like I was in a swimsuit. The compromise was using a stiff linen material that would keep its shape. To make sure it didn't impede my movement, the outfit was sleeveless. But who needed sleeves when I had gloves up to my elbows? I liked that they were fingerless, it made me feel like I had better range of motion with my hands. My boots were similarly up to my knees and platformed, making me feel a lot taller. Any skin between my knees and the hem of my shorts was well protected too; to counteract all the navy, the tights I wore were a cheerful pink, as was the bandana and the hair ties pulling my hair into pigtails. We'd debated for twenty minutes, but decided on stud earrings; two light pink gems. Apparently, they complemented my eyes.

I certainly felt more powerful.

The class applauded for me, and my confidence crumbled. I covered my face, blushing.

"I don't look silly? Like a kid pretending to be a hero?"

"Hey!" Toru protested.

"No way!" Deku said in his green jumpsuit, "You look awesome!"

"Thank you!" I turned to Toru, "And thank you! You're a miracle worker."

"I look forward to working with you again!"

Honestly, it was a relief to change back into my uniform. The imposter syndrome was strong. I was holed up in the classroom, waiting for the final bell so counseling could begin, when my phone buzzed.

It was an unknown number. A text that read.

Unknown: This Juniper Manderly?

I politely confirmed and asked who it was.

Unknown: Hawks here. Don't go off sharing this number, it'd be a hassle to change it.

I nearly dropped my phone, face flushed. I added him to my contacts at the speed of light.

Solace: Of course! Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.

Hawks: I'm glad you decided to accept. Gimme a second and I'll text you the info you need to arrive at the agency tower.

He sent over some directions and timetables.

Hawks: Just lemme know what train you book so I can know when to expect you.

It only really occurred to me when I read that text. A train. I'd be going to another city. Surely, I could get Ms. Joke to let Moe miss a week of class, but first…

Solace: Can I bring Moe? He'll stay out of the way.

A few minutes passed. I stared at the screen. Then I got the answer I'd been dreading.

Hawks: No. Sorry, but I need you focused and this could be dangerous. He'll be fine at UA.

Something twisted painfully in my chest. Anger? No, he was right. Shame? Should I not have asked at all?

Solace: I understand, you're right of course. I'll send you my train info as soon as I have it.

He sent me a thumbs up emoji, and I put my face on my desk.

"Everyone feels strange their first time in their costumes." I looked up at the voice, deflated. "I wouldn't know anything about aesthetics, but it seemed very practical to me."

"Yes," I agreed quietly, "Toru did a great job."

"That's not what's upset you." I shook my head, "Well?"

"…I have your goggles." I said quietly. The thought made my lip tremble. "I… when I… when the USJ happened, I grabbed them. I planned on giving them to you when I got you out." I gave a miserable sigh and lowered my face back to the desk, even though it would muffle me, "I had them on me when I got back from the hospital. But I didn't give them back. I hid them in my room. I don't know why. They still have blood on them. But it's like I couldn't…"

"You couldn't let go." He said, "Well, I don't care particularly about the loss of the goggles; I figured they'd been destroyed and got them replaced." I didn't answer. I knew that wasn't the main problem. "Manderly, you can't move on if you're keeping a physical reminder of the trauma you suffered right beside you. Nothing will happen if you let it go."

"I don't know why I told you that." I sat up and inhaled deeply, stretching my arms over my head, "That's not even what set me off, or what I wanted to talk about. It's much worse; I want to ask you a favor."

"Don't try and change the subject so nonchalantly!" He snapped, uncharacteristically sharp.

I grinned a sad but shameless grin.

"Hey, I got to work on my stamina right? I'll repeat yesterday's circuit on my own, in record time. I'll ask you that favor tomorrow, okay bye!"

"Mand-!" I didn't hear the rest because I had slowed time. I stepped out of his field of view to be safe and looked at his ang expression for a moment. Then, I got to running.

.

While I was happily avoiding my feelings by running round the track, I noticed Mr. Aizawa's figure had exited the school building. He wasn't coming toward me either. I ignored him and kept running.

When I stopped for air, legs wobbly and eyelids heavy, I couldn't help but check again. It almost looked like he was going to the dorms.

Well, going was the wrong word for it. He was storming to the dorms. There might as well have been a thundercloud over his head.

It gave me a very bad feeling.

I ran to catch up with him, but since I'd been training so hard, my speed cut out when I was right behind him, making me trip and fall on my face.

"By all means, go back to your training." He said, not turning back. I scrambled to my feet, now alarmed.

"Um, sir, what are you doing?" I panted, jogging to keep up. Ignoring me, he burst inside, up the stairs, and used his universal key to open my room. "Hey!" I protested, "What are you doing? If you need something, I can get it for you."

He stopped before entering and turned to me, eyes dead serious.

"Alright." He said, "Then I'd like you to dispose of those goggles."

More pain flashed in my chest and my lips pursed.

"Of course I'll give them back," I said, even though that wasn't what he'd asked, "Give me a minute."

"I would much prefer if you destroyed them."

"Sir, I told you. I'm over the USJ. I can fight again, I'm taking my medicine, and my anxiety had nothing to do with-" He turned away from me and walked into my room, "Wait!" This was so embarrassing, at this rate we'd cause a scene. "You can't do this!"

"Homeroom teachers are allowed to search students' rooms at any time." He informed me, cold, checking under the beds.

"You don't get it!"

"Did you grab those because you thought I would die? You thought you'd need something to remember me by?" He checked Moe's wardrobe.

"So what if I did? We both lived, I know that. If you would just stop, I'll return them to you. They're not mine, I get that." He turned to look at me, "Just please don't break them, okay? They're already cracked." My throat and chest felt tight enough to pop.

"Manderly." He said, "First, breathe." I breathed. "Good. Now tell me what purpose those goggles serve, other than to distress you."

My hands were shaking.

"It's a good memory too." I whispered, "I thought I was dead but then you saved me. You defied all odds. Not only were you alive, but even injured you were taking care of me. No one had ever done that before." He sighed.

"Why keep the glasses then? They have nothing to do with that, they'd been knocked off by then."

"It's proof… proof it happened. Proof that you can go through something that terrible and even if you're cracked, still make it out. That being a little broken doesn't make you…"

"If that's it, then why hide them, covered in blood? I won't believe a lie."

"Because it's a bad memory too… and I can't stop seeing it, whenever my mind drifts. The goggles scraping toward me. Then waking up and not knowing if they were all that was left. It's a terrible moment but I can't let it go. Maybe because it makes me feel something. Maybe because I hadn't felt something, anything, so strong in years. Maybe because I'm crazy, I don't know. But…"

"Then make better memories." My shoulders slumped. Wordlessly, a bit angrily, I walked past him to the wardrobe, reached into my winter coat's pocket, and pulled out the beat-up yellow goggles.

"You could have lied." I said, holding them out, "And said you wouldn't break them." He didn't take them. "Just take them. I need to go pick up Moe, then go to dinner."

His scarf shot out without a warning and bound me tightly. Without a word, he dragged me to the bathrooms, ignoring as I squirmed and protested and tried to speed my way out. He turned on a shower and tossed me under. At that point, I didn't even argue; I'd done this to Moe before, so I knew it was a way to clear your head. The water was damn cold though. I sat in silence for a few minutes. Then, he turned the water off.

"You can leave it on." I said numbly, "I don't mind it."

"Look at the goggles." I did. Though still cracked, the blood and dirt had been washed away, revealing the yellow to be a bit more vivid, "They still work, but they needed to be tended to. I won't break them, alright?"

"Now I feel stupid."

"Come on." He held a hand out and I got to my feet, following him outside, still dripping wet. We stood under the sun, in the grassy field behind the building. "I'll give you a choice. Either you keep them, but with certain conditions, or you return them to me, and I promise not to break them." I squeezed the water from my hair. "You would have to keep them clean. That crack won't ever fully disappear, but maybe Hagakure could reenforce the structural integrity. Most importantly, you'd have to make them yours and use them. No more hiding them. Paint them pink if you want to add them to your hero costume."

I was shivering.

"Or," he continued, "I take them back, patch them up, use them as alternates. Other than the crack, they seem to be in good condition."

"…that guy, Tomura Shiguraki… he's still out there, isn't he?"

"Yes."

"It's been long enough for him to recover." I said.

"Possibly."

"Do you know… about All Might?"

"What?"

"I'm not supposed to tell anybody, but I'm really scared." I whispered, "I think Deku might know too, but he'll freak out if I say it outloud." When had I sat down? Eraser Head sat on the grass beside me.

"What about All Might?"

"…I think he's dying."

.

"That oaf never should have told you to keep that secret!" Mr. Aizawa was livid, "He must have completely lost his mind!" I didn't answer, only felt guilty for cracking. "I knew, as do most of the hero course teachers, that he's gotten weaker with the years and has been hiding this. I didn't know the extent of his injury though."

"So I just…" I cleared my throat, "I can't rely on him and his strength like everyone else does. I can rely on you." I held the goggles, "and Hawks, I guess. Hell, I have more faith in Endeavor. All Might should be retired and resting. The illusion is comforting but it isn't true. I still believe in the three of you, I know you'll do everything you can, and that's a lot, to keep me safe. And…" I gave a humorless laugh, "This is a very roundabout way of saying that I'd like to keep the goggles. Because they make me feel safe."

"Then keep them. And please be patient with the All Might situation. If what you say is true, it won't be this way much longer."

"Okay."

"Now." He stood and I followed in suit, tentatively pulling the goggles on, resting the lenses on the top of my head. "What favor did you want to ask me?"