"It won't take long, I need you three to meet someone."

"What's all this for?" grumbled Bakugou, but followed the teacher. "Can't we just do what this nervous slug wants?"

Nakayama muttered something to himself, but did not express his displeasure verbally. Aizawa shook his head and walked towards the school. Despite the late hour, the teachers were still at work. Life in the school didn't seem to stop even when the students left. Aizawa made his way to one of the huge doors on the top floor. Unlike the other doors in UA, this one wasn't marked in any way, and you wouldn't even think it led to one of the classrooms.

Aizawa came closer. It turned out that there was glass in the door so that one could see what was going on inside. Midoriya looked in curiously. The study was full. However, the children who crowded into the classroom seemed to be of different ages. Some looked like junior high school students and others seemed older than Midoriya. One child caught her attention. She was very familiar with his peculiar skin colour and the strange, ornate sprout on his back.

"Doesn't that girl look like Insertum? Who are these children?" Bakugou asked, leaning over and looking into the faces of those sitting inside. Midoriya looked at the girl again and remembered a news report from the other day. This girl was almost a complete replica of one of the most unpleasant villains that had caused trouble for the heroes in recent times.

"These kids fell under the same programme as Nakayama."

"But why are they studying separately from me?" asked Fudo with a frown. Why he had to tolerate their company while the others studied quietly with the regular teachers in the classroom, he could not understand. And what they did with Bakugou and Midoriya was hardly teaching.

"Don't you get it yet?" Aizawa turned to them. "They come from villainous families. Bakugou rightly noticed: The girl he mentioned is the daughter of the Insertum.

"Wait, what?"

Aizawa nodded and returned to the discussion, writing to someone.

"As I said before, the government has supported the idea of the NGO 'Heroes Among Us'. It has approved a support programme for the families of villains. I will skip the pompous speeches about how children who have seen only anger and hatred around them need the help of heroes. I will go straight to Nakayama. It's already clear to you that you're not part of the programme in terms of the terms and conditions, but you've been very much in demand".

"Grandpa?" Nakayama asked grimly, already knowing the answer.

Aizawa only nodded his head.

"And you two," the teacher looked at Midoriya and Bakugou. "I was the one who had the idea of your role as mentors for Nakayama. Some teachers doubted that it was a good idea, but Headmaster Nezu supported me, so it's not just a request, it's your mission that will be evaluated in the end. So it's best to finish well.

Midoriya and Bakugou looked around them. Now, it really sounded more serious. But they still had no idea how to help Nakayama with his intransigence, even if they could understand it.

"Please take a seat, Nakayama. I'll be right there.

Aizawa knocked on the door. After explaining the situation to the teacher, he returned to the corridor.

"Okay, I'll let you know what to expect."

They retreated to the window so as not to disturb the lesson. The sun was sinking deeper and deeper into the sky, casting a golden glow around the school.

"If he's not connected to the villains, and was asked to be included, and his grandfather seems to be connected..." Murmuring in a whisper, Midoriya put her hand to her lips. "Nakayama, doesn't that surname belong to a professional hero from the All Might's heyday?"

"Crane," Bakugou confirmed Midoriya's theory. He stared at Aizawa curiously. "This is him, right?"

Aizawa's nod was in agreement.

"But why would Nakayama-kun be involved?" Midoriya asked. "Wouldn't his grandfather do better than we? After all, he is a former professional hero!"

"The situation is different here. To him, Crane is like the Almighty to you. I don't think you fully understand what I'm talking about, but believe me, it was useless."

"It has something to do with his quirk?"

"Yes," Aizawa nods. "He has the ability to transform himself into a bear. It is a simple but powerful quirk. However, he doesn't have full control over it. When he transforms, he loses his mind because he hasn't had any training since he was a child. Let's just say his grandfather said: "The animal part is taking over, and he can't resist it".

"I understand why you suggested her," Bakugou said, pointing at Midoriya. "But why am I here?"

"And that is already my wish, which I think is the right one. In my opinion, he's not the only one who would do well to have a look at your example. I can't help but appreciate your growth as a person, even though your character is far from the ideal hero. You've already heard my opinion of you, so I won't repeat it. I'm sure the two of you will be able to handle a case like his. Not that. I'm sure that you two are the ones who can. That's why I suggested you for this role.

"Oh, Aizawa, I see you brought your students with you." Thirteen walked down the corridor to meet them and raised her hand in greeting.

"Never mind that. They were just leaving."

"Hello!" greeted the hero Midoriya, hopping happily closer.

"You are Midoriya, right? I remember you." Thirteen said and seemed to smile. "I remember you too, Mr. Winner."

Knowing that he wouldn't let it go unnoticed, Midoriya covered Bakugou with her body. Aizawa did not keep Thirteen or the students in the classroom. He sent Bakugou and Midoriya back to the dormitory.

The sun was sinking even lower. Midoriya and Bakugou walked in the growing dusk. Thinking about something, Bakugou was silent.

"You're quieter than usual today," Midoriya said. She glanced at Katsuki, who was walking nearby. "Is everything all right, Kacchan?"

"Bakugou brushed it off, "Just fine.

Midoriya shrugged: "As you wish."

The girl walked forward, swaying slightly in time to her own footsteps, her hands clasped behind her back. Bakugo stopped and watched as she walked further and further away from him. Her hair swayed slightly with her movements, resting only on her shoulders that day. Midoriya had hardly changed in all this time, it was all so familiar. But did they? Now, it was as if there was an invisible barrier standing in front of them. How long had it been there?

"Hey, Izuku!" Bakugou shouted, trying to drive the intruding thoughts away.

Midoriya turned around to look. Old hag invited us to dinner," Katsuki bridged the distance between them in a few seconds and put her arm around Midoriya's shoulder.

"Really?" Midoriya exclaimed happily. "Why didn't you say so before? I could have called my mom, couldn't I?"

"I didn't feel up to it," Bakugou brushed it off. "Call her, she'll be happy."

As much as Bakugou tried to pretend that everything was fine, something was still bothering him.