AN: Mugen-Muse: I mean, just because we know Izuku's going to fail doesn't mean he's not gonna give it the good old college try.
KatoGS123 - Tenya will be going to camp. As for the dream idea... I already have something in the works.
James Birdsong - Thanks!
Bakugo hit the wall, feeling the impact in his bones as he slammed into the concrete before falling to his knees. Kawauso is relentless: she certainly made him feel like he had been fighting a powerful villain between the bruises and cuts she had given him. With a grunt, he began pushing himself up. He'll be damned if he lets some extra get the better of him!
He managed to stand up and dropped into his fighting stance when he heard Miruko burst out laughing.
"I think you've had enough, kid."
"But I wasn't done yet," Kawauso complained as she crossed her arms.
"We can spar after he's done for the day," Mirko said, a savage grin on her face showing that she was looking forward to it.
"What? Think you can actually win just because I spent five minutes tossing some high schooler around?"
"What," Bakugo asked between heavy breaths. "The. Fuck?"
"Well kid, what do you think of Kawauso now?" Mirko asked her intern, the smirk on her face telling Bakugo that she knew this would happen.
He looked at the otter mutant with a scowl on his face. "You tricked me!"
"Kid, you fooled yourself. You saw me as nothing more than a secretary and made all of your assumptions based on that." She bared her teeth at him and watched him flinch back in satisfaction.
"Why?" Katsuki asked as he tried to understand. "If you're this strong. Why aren't you a hero? Why aren't you like her?" He pointed towards Mirko.
"Because I already served my time. Let me reintroduce myself: Otsu Kawauso, retired member of the French Foreign Legion. Just because I was good didn't mean I wanted to keep going, so after I served my eight years I left. Packed my bags and moved to Japan, where I ran across Miruko here. One of the best fighters you'll ever meet, but can't do paperwork to save her life, almost literally. She needed someone to keep her in line, so I took the job."
"Screw you!"
"Oh, so I can take my boyfriend and go on vacation for a month again? He's been asking when we can go back to Europe." Kawauso gave the hero a satisfied look, while the rabbit hero could only growl in response.
"Anyways!" Miruko turned back to Katsuki. "What would you do if a villain looked like Kawauso here? Just someone in a dress shirt and pants. Would you have deemed her as someone not worth your time? Would you have ignored her and gone for the villain who appeared to be the more obvious threat? Or would you let a villain escape because they happen to look like one of those so-called extras you ignore?"
Bakugo's response was to glare silently at Mirko. Seconds later the silence was broken by Kawauso laughing.
"No wonder you like him, he's as hard-headed as you are!"
"Hey! You're not supposed to tell him that!" Mirko protested.
"I don't care what you think of me!" Bakugo yelled, pissed off. "I don't need friends or mentors! I'm going to be number one all by myself!"
"Good, because I don't care about your opinion either." Mirko fired back. "Now I'm going to start talking, and you have two options. You can shut up and listen and maybe, just maybe, something will get through that skull of yours and stick. Or you can keep your over-inflated ego, ignore me, and be a nobody that is sitting in the middle of the hero rankings. Your choice."
Wisely, Bakugo didn't respond when Miruko started talking, and he was rewarded by Kawauso leaving and returning a few minutes later with a first aid kit, which she threw at him. He deftly caught it and opened it, silently thankful for the painkillers and bandages.
Surprisingly, the advice Miruko was giving him wasn't half-bad either. He was mentally taking notes as she explained that he was still allowed to be an asshole, he just had to be an asshole to the right people, instead of everyone.
"I think we've got enough," Mirio announced.
Quietly, Tomoe slid back from her perch on the balcony and back onto the rooftop. "Don't think anyone else is coming?"
"I'm sure they are, but it's our final day! We need to get back and write up a report so Sir can continue our work after we leave."
Nodding in understanding, Tomoe slipped her helmet back on. "Let's get going then."
The two walked across the roof and carefully descended the fire escape, before casually exiting the alleyway and merging into the crowd as they began their journey back to Sir Nighteye's agency.
"I'm really impressed by your quirk, Sakura!" Mirio said, striking up a conversation. "It's perfect for investigation work and gathering intel!"
"Thank you." Tomoe smiled. "I'm just happy knowing there's room for heroes like me out there."
"Of course there are! We can't all be like All Might and Endeavor after all."
"Sometimes the HPSC certainly makes it feel that way, with the way they run the hero charts," Tomoe grumbled.
"That's why you're at UA though, right?" Mirio asked. "Both you and Midoriya?"
"Yes. Although Himiko's quirk is most certainly a flashy combat quirk now." Tomoe sighed.
"Jealous?" Mirio asked.
"A little bit," Tomoe admitted. "We had solidarity due to our quirks, and we worked hard to be at the top of our class when it came to quirkless combat and maneuvering. And then her quirk had to go and awaken like that…"
"Do you think that's going to matter to her?"
"Of course not!" Tomoe quickly defended her friend. "Even now, she's still the same Himiko, pushing herself hard to prove herself."
"Well then, does it matter that her quirk has awakened? It seems to me like if anything, she is more powerful because of what she experienced before her quirk awakened."
"You're speaking from experience, aren't you?"
Mirio laughed. "Guilty as charged! Permeation was so difficult to learn, but the effort was worth it in the end!" He gave her a smile and a wink as he flexed an arm. "You are just like Sir. Your training will give you the advantage over anyone who thinks that their quirk is all they need!"
Tomoe thought back to her blind-fighting training and nodded, a smile on her face. "You're right. I guess I'm worried about nothing after all."
"Exactly! Now let's hurry back and get this report written up."
"And that's the last of it." Mirio declared happily as he set the pen down.
"Finally." Tomoe hit the print button on the screen before she stood up and stretched.
Gathering their paperwork, the two went to Sir's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" The two heard Sir call from behind the door. Opening it, they saw the hero standing in what Tomoe dubbed his 'thinking spot.' A position where he can view his wall of All Might memorabilia, she noticed that he often stood there in silent contemplation when he needed to make a decision. She had planned to tell Izuku about it. If anything, he would be amused by the idea, and maybe adopt something similar himself, much to Himiko's annoyance.
"Here are the observations from the stakeout we participated in," Mirio explained as he offered the report.
"Excellent. The more patterns we can establish, the easier our job will be later."
"Our job?" Tomoe asked.
"Of course." Nighteye returned to his desk and picked up a stack of papers which he split into two piles and offered to the students.
Mirio and Tomoe each took the offered papers and looked them over before Tomoe returned her attention to Nighteye. "Work study authorization forms?"
"I had hoped to retain both of your talents beyond the internship. At the very least, for the duration of this investigation." Nighteye explained. "It would be irresponsible for me to train both of you in investigative work and put you on an active investigation, only to let you go, after all."
"That makes sense." Tomoe thought out loud. "However, while Mirio is in his third year and looking to get as much experience as he can before he graduates, I don't even have my provisional license yet."
"Don't sell yourself short Sakura!" Mirio reassured her. "You'll easily pass the provisional exam in a month and a half!"
"I have full faith and confidence in your abilities," Nighteye added. "Which is why I was willing to prepare the forms ahead of time. Once you have passed the provisional licensing exam, you may begin your work-study over the summer."
Tomoe regarded the hero silently as she took the papers. Sure enough, Sir Nighteye's handwriting filled the form and his seal was already stamped, confirming his approval. Smiling, she looked at the hero. "I would be honored to continue working with you, Sir!"
"That's the spirit. Now then, with that order of business out of the way, let's review what you two have learned over this past week."
Tomoe sat down and couldn't stop smiling at the form as Mirio went over his part of the investigation. Sure, it wasn't the most glamorous hero work, but this is precisely the kind of hero she wanted to become. Spending more time with Sir Nighteye would be a wonderful learning experience, and she planned to make the most out of it.
"That is it for today!" Gunhead announced after the lesson, and Ochako bowed along with all of the other students. While the other students grabbed their bags and departed for the locker room, she simply grabbed her water bottle and began chugging its contents while waiting patiently.
After the last student left, the hero motioned for her to follow him, and she complied. Following the hero, they entered his agency above the dojo and entered his private office. Grabbing two chairs, he offered one to his intern.
"I think we are overdue on that conversation." He said.
"I agree." Ochako took the chair and sat down, making herself comfortable.
"It's been a few days since Hosu. How are you feeling now?"
"What we saw there is going to haunt me for a while," Ochako admitted. "But after seeing that - after seeing what the aftermath of a major battle looks like, I know it's what I want to do."
"Oh?" Gunhead leaned forward, placing his hands under his chin.
Ochako took a deep breath. "I think far too many people forget that the battle isn't over once the fighting is done. Once the heroes save the day and they turn the cameras off. I knew being a rescue and recovery hero wasn't going to be glamorous but - even after the Nomu were stopped. Even after Stain was arrested. The people of Hosu still needed heroes."
"I see. And you want to be that kind of hero?"
"Yep!" Ochako gave a cheery smile. "I want to be there to support those who need it."
Just like Deku is there for me. She thought to herself.
"That means you'll be seeing a lot more of what you saw at Hosu. Are you prepared to face that over and over again?"
"I'm not sure I'll ever be prepared," Ochako admitted. "But I think I'm ok with that."
"Hmm, those are surprisingly wise words coming from a student."
Ochako was caught off guard by the compliment and blushed. "I just - I don't want to ever stop seeing the people caught in these fights as people. We have a classmate like that, he sees anyone weaker than him as just extras, background noise. If my discomfort is the price to pay to prevent something like that from happening to me, then I'll gladly pay it."
"With that attitude, I don't think you have anything to worry about," Gunhead confirmed. "Just remember to take care of yourself, ok? Seeing that much pain and suffering can wear on you."
"Even if it's countered by the relief people show when you rescue them?"
"Even with that. You need to take care of yourself. There is a reason most heroes retire before they are forty."
"I'll keep that in mind." Ochako thought, as her thoughts drifted to Izuku.
"Ah, there is that smile. Are you thinking about that boy again?"
"Deku?!" Ochako squeaked out inadvertently.
"Ah ha! The boy who helped bring down Stain. That explains it." Gunhead said, his hands now on his cheeks as he made a cute pose. "I hope it works out for the two of you!"
"Me too," Ochako admitted.
"That was fun!" Nejire exclaimed as they sat down on the train ride back to Mustafu.
"It went better than I could have dreamed." Himiko agreed as she shoved her bag and costume case into the luggage compartment.
"Ryukyu-sensei is such an amazing hero!" Nejire gushed. "And we get to keep working with her!"
"You get to keep working with her." Himiko pointed out. "I still have to earn my provisional license next month."
Nejire crossed her arms and glared at Himiko. "As if Himichan isn't going to earn her provisional license! Look at everything you've done this week!"
"True!" Himiko slid into the seat across from Nejire and pulled out her phone.
"Who are you texting?" Nejire asked. "Your girlfriend?"
"She- she's not!" Himiko protested as she felt herself blushing. "As if you're any better!"
Nejire crossed her arms and looked away. "Just because I like Yuyu doesn't mean she likes me the same way back."
Himiko rolled her eyes. "As if that would stop you." She grumbled.
"Hey! That's not fair." Nejire scowled at Himiko, who couldn't help but snicker.
"Says you, miss 'you're my kouhai now, no arguments.'"
"That's different!"
"Is it? At least Haya would be allowed to respond if you tried to confess to her."
"And what about Song?" Nejire shot back, trying to deflect.
"She's confusing!" Himiko said in exasperation. "I don't know if I want to punch her, kiss her, or both!"
"Have you talked to her about that?"
"Not since the sports festival," Himiko admitted. "Which ended up being more of me yelling at her for being an idiot."
The two sat in silence for a long time before Nejire finally spoke. "I guess we're both hopeless, aren't we?"
"Seems that way," Himiko said, looking up from her phone. "You want to be a good sempai and show me how it's done?" She flashed a predatory smile at Nejire. As much as the older girl exasperated her, she quickly found her weaknesses and had no problems exploiting them.
Nejire looked thoughtful for a long time before she closed her hand into a fist, looking at Himiko with a determined look on her face. "I'll do it! I'll talk to Yuyu. But only if you talk to Song!"
"Deal!" Himiko smiled at the older girl. While she was already planning on talking to Emily soon, having additional motivation certainly wouldn't hurt.
And if she could help the older girl out. Well, she would never admit it out loud, but she had been growing fond of having Nejire as her senpai over the past week, despite the older girl's antics.
In a private bar, two individuals watched a special report on Hosu. They were describing the Nomu attack in detail and properly attributing it to the budding League of Villains. But that was where mention of the League ended. Continuing, the news focused most of its time and attention on Stain. The news anchors asked what his connection to the League was and discussed his attack from several weeks ago where he crippled the pro hero Ingenium.
For at least one viewer, this focus on Stain was the opposite of what he wanted.
"Damn it." Tomura slammed the glass into the counter, pressing his pinky to it as he caused it to disintegrate. "Why? Why are people more concerned with him and not us?!"
"Patience, young Tomura." The voice of his sensei urged from the usual speaker. "Remember if this plan doesn't work, you will have other opportunities."
"But what about the Nomu? We only have so many minions!"
"There will be more, in time. Remember what I told you. There are lessons even in failure."
"Yeah yeah," Tomura grumbled as he grabbed another glass from behind the counter and poured himself some water. "But why him? We did more damage in one night than he did!"
"Perhaps it has nothing to do with the damage, but rather with the message itself?" Sensei asked.
"What do you mean?" Tomura glared at the monitor as if it had offended him.
"Think about your games. When a guild hires you, do they ever offer nothing more than mindless destruction?"
"Sometimes," Tomura grumbled. "Those usually trigger a bad ending though."
"Precisely. Even if Stain's ideology was wrong, the fact remains that if you were to visit him in one of your games, you would be offered an ideology. Something to fight for or against."
"Hmm." Tomura pondered this. "I see."
Tomura sat in silence and thought about this. Even if it turned out to be falsehoods that the hero of the story later fixed, most organizations gave you something to work with at the start. While he offered raw power, that was obviously not enough for people. It didn't make sense to him, of course, because strength gave you the ability to impose your will on the world.
Sure, he realized that made him the primary villain in the game, but it was in the name! He didn't understand why people in his games were able to organize these huge powerful movements against the heroes. Which is why he was here, sitting in a bar as he struggled to find decent help.
Tomura sat there and thought about what he was missing. He already knew this was a lesson Sensei was trying to teach him. There was just some piece of the puzzle missing. Some key component he had to find and it would all make sense, and then he could level up and grow the ranks of the league.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a coded knock on the door. He turned and saw Giran enter with a man who could charitably be described as half-dead walking in behind him. His skin was charred, with patches of fresh skin sewn on.
"Who is this?" Tomura demanded as he sized up the new individual.
"Someone who saw Stain's video and came asking about you." Giran happily announced as he gestured to the man.
"Let's just say I'm not an Endeavor fan," The man replied with a hint of disdain in his voice. "And I'm rather interested in the people who can cause trouble for him."
"And why would we want someone like you?" Tomura asked.
"Looks can be deceiving." The man said with a smug look. "Or should I call out your pallid appearance as well?"
"Why you-" Tomura started to stand only to see a blue fireball lobbed at him. Kurogiri opened a portal to protect him, sending the fireball elsewhere and leaving only a wave of heat in its wake. "I see. And you wish to join us?"
"I have some personal business with the number two hero," Dabi explained. "So if joining you gives me a chance to cross paths with him, well… it'll work out well for both of us."
"Just like I have business with All Might." Tomura mused. "Very well then, since our interests align, it appears we have a mutually beneficial partnership."
"Exactly."
"What should I call you?"
Dabi thought for a moment before he came to a decision. "You can call me Dabi."
"Well come in, and let's discuss this further." Tomura smiled as he offered a chair.
AN: And with that, internships are finally done!
Covid tore through my house last week, which is why this is late. Hopefully, in a week or two I'll be back to my regular Monday release schedule.