I am concerned when I enter the teacher's dorm to find Hizashi lying facedown on the coffee table. Nobody is around either, so I feel as though that is my message to run.

Obviously, I ignore said message and approach, "Yo, you okay?" Hizashi must not have heard me come in because he immediately straightens up to look at me- oh jeez, he does not look good. I guess he is still affected by earlier, which is expected.

Hizashi attempts to give me a smile, "Hey, Izu. How you doing, kiddo?"

"I wasn't laying on a table, so I know I am doing better than you." It's not my most tactful answer, but he's used to it by now. Hizashi softly laughs.

"What a standard."

"No shit, but you avoided my first question."

Hizashi sighs as the smile drops, "Just a rough day with this morning." You know, this morning feels like a distant memory to me. That's probably saying something on my side of things.

"I bet. I am sorry for not arguing more. I tried to get them to wait so that I could try without tearing into some trauma, but they decided it was a high priority." I do mean that sincerely. Something did happen, and I am not going to lie about that. However, I wish that happened without mental anguish.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Tiny Listener. We were able to help, after all. If anything, I need to apologize to you."

"I don't think so?"

"For Shouta this morning. I should have took his phone away or something, but I didn't. What he said to you was terrible. I didn't realize how bad he would act out," Fuck, Hizashi actually looks guilty. Damn idiot.

"Shouta did that by himself, Zashi. You are not liable for anything he has done."

"Still-"

"Still nothing," I glare at the idiot in front of me, "It was a stressful situation. Bad shit was going to happen. It's okay."

Hizashi looks at me seriously, "I hope you realize that what he said to you is not okay no matter the circumstance. That was wrong." I drop the glare.

"I'm aware, Hizashi, but I understand why he said it."

"He could have not said it at all. You can't tell me that you didn't feel anything when he said that."

"I am not saying that. I'm just saying that I understand."

"But it still hurt you, didn't it?" Hizashi is trying to force my therapy session a couple days early I see.

It's my turn to sigh, "Yes, but I am not saying that it didn't hurt. All I am saying is that I get the circumstances behind him saying that."

"I know, I know. I know you're probably going to talk to him soon with how are you, but don't be afraid to talk about any concerns that he may have brought up. He dug himself in that hole. You deserve to be reassured," Hizashi gives me a gentle smile, "Alright?" I truly do appreciate this man. More than anybody knows it.

I can't help but smile back, "Alright."

Hizashi hops off the coffee table, "Very good! Now, did you happen to get dinner?"

"Nope. I just came straight here."

"Lunch Rush made some leftovers for you in the fridge, so you can heat that up!"

"Lunch Rush deserves a raise."

"True that!"

I head to the kitchen with Hizashi behind me, and I heat those amazing leftovers up and get to eating. After that conversation on the coffee table literally, we are able to talk about some chill stuff, ya know. However, then I realize something.

"Wait, isn't Shouta home? If so, why aren't you with him?" I ask Hizashi out of the blue.

Hizashi rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, "He picked up an extra patrol to get rid of some of his anger towards the whole situation. He won't be back till two. Besides, we sort of got into an argument?" Okay, the first two aren't surprising. But an argument? I mean, I sort of had an idea that they had an argument at the prison, but that bad?

"Okay, I'm not surprised for the first two. But what sort of argument are talking here?"

"Ah, well, after you hung up, I may or may not have screamed at him the rest of the ride there?" Oh shit, poor Shouta's hearing.

"That sounds one-sided."

"It was. Well, still kind of is. I'm holding some anger towards him until you two talk it out. Like, we're able to talk and stuff, but there's a little intensity is all."

"Wait...hold up," I raise my hand, "Did you scream at him because of what he said to me?"

"Obviously! He shouldn't be saying that you, especially not after what you've been through! I know that's probably not the reaction you want, but you don't need that toxicity in your life. You really don't need it from him." Y'all, get yourself a friend like Hizashi.

"That is probably the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"You know, if that's what you consider kind, I am a little concerned, Tiny Listener."

"It still means a lot to me, so thank you. I love Shouta, but sometimes he needs to be smacked upside the head."

"I can agree to that."

"Is this your first fight as a couple then?"

"I guess so? I'll ask Sho about it later. Why?"

"I just want to know if I get the title for being the reason for y'alls first argument."

"I don't think that's a good title, Izu."

"It isn't, but it's the irony, man."

"I don't think you should want that even with the irony."

"Y'all will be back having your make-out sessions in the janitors closet again in no time, so I'm not worried about it." Hizashi blushes.

"IZUKU! WE DON'T DO THAT! THAT'S INAPPROPRAITE!"

"I'm just stating my case. No need to get so excited for the future!"

"Izuuuu."

That's why I hear a dorm door open to reveal Nemuri, "Did you snap Hizashi out of his sappy day?"

I look at Hizashi in confusion, "Um, how long were you on that table for?"

"He was on that table all day!"

Hizashi squawks at Nemuri for answering for him, "There was no need to out me like that!"

"What were you going to tell him?!"

"I don't know!"

"Exactly!"

I interrupt, "Do you need a hug?" Well, that's an awkward thing to suddenly ask. Both of them stop arguing and look at me. There is a moment of silence until Hizashi finally speaks.

"...if you don't mind."

"Right this way."

I head to the living room, ignoring the confused looks I get. Despite that, both of them follow me. I go to the coffee table, step on top of it, and face them. I open my arm and half arm to Hizashi to offer him the hug.

And immediately get laughed at.

"AHAHAHAHA! OH MY GOSH, THAT'S SO CUTE! HE MADE HIMSELF TALLER TO BE A MORE COMFORTING FIGURE FOR YOU, ZASHI!" Nemuri bursts out laughing, and I swear they are echoing through the entire room.

"EX-FUCKING-CUSE ME FOR WANTING TO BE A GOOD STABLE FIGURE FOR MY FRIEND!" I scream at her. She is now dead to me. I am blocking her on Tik Tok after this.

Hizashi, because of course he is, is laughing as well, but he is clearly trying to cover them as he approaches me for the hug. I wrap my arm and attempt of an arm around his neck, and he puts his arms just above my waist to complete the hug.

"Hey, if Izuku needs a little help with his height, I see no problem with it!" Hizashi explains except now he is openly laughing. Unfortunately for him, my arm his around his neck. I tighten my good arm around his neck, "Izu, are you trying to choke me?!"

"Shhhh."

"I ain't being choked by you!" I forget Hizashi is a prohero sometimes. He suddenly lifts me off the table, carrying me by the waist away from it. I immediately stop choking and readjust so that I don't fucking die.

"EXCUSE ME, SIR, PUT ME DOWN!"

Hizashi is still laughing, "Nope! Not until I know you're not going to choke me anymore!"

In the background, Nemuri calls, "WAIT, LET ME GET A PICTURE!" I struggle against him, but Hizashi keeps a good hold on me like I am just a cat he snatched off the street.

"I WAS TRYING TO BE KIND, AND THIS IS HOW I AM REPAID?! SPAT UPON LIKE THE DIRT BENEATH YOUR FEET?!"

Both of these nutcases are howling of laughter at this point, and I am offended. I struggle for a bit longer, but I eventually stop. I rather not have the reason of my death be something as embarrassing as this.

It's only once the two finally settle down that Hizashi puts me down with a huge, genuine smile on his face, "Thank you, Izu. I really needed that." I simply roll my eyes at him while muttering a 'no problem.'

"And I appreciate the pictures I got. They are going in the squad album," Nemuri purrs.

I turn to Nemuri confused, "I didn't even know that existed."

"It does! Since you're the newest, you have plenty of catching up to do." Considering I was born 15 years later than y'all, I bet.

"Because you keep taking pictures of me suffering."

"That's the point! However, you keep deleting the pictures off my phone before I can do that!"

"Because they're pictures of me, and I don't like pictures of me."

Hizashi chuckles, "You'll appreciate them when you're older, kid."

"On my behalf, if I want pictures of me, I can just go and search my name on the internet."

Nemuri facepalms, "Personal photos, you dumbass child."

"They can be personal. There are stalkers out there."

"Wait, what? Izuku, if you have stalkers, why didn't you tell us?"

"I was joking!"

"You swear you have no stalkers, right? You're not just downplaying the situation?"

Hizashi adds, "That's serious stuff, kid."

I shrug, "I mean, as far as I know, I don't have any besides villains."

"You're going to give me grey hairs before I'm 35, Izuku!"

"Same!" Nemuri agrees.

"I'll pay for the dye! I'm technically kind of rich now, so no big deal!"

"We prefer our natural beauty."

"Good luck with that then."

"Izuku!" Both of them exclaim.


We hanged out for a little bit, but it wasn't for long since they have classes to teach in the morning. Since the old fogies went to bed and nobody else stays out past 8 in the teacher's dorm, it's practically a secret message saying 'get to work, you dumbass motherfucker.'

Considering I am now the leader and planner of probably one of the biggest hero raids of Japan, possibly the biggest, I decide to follow that hidden advice. I had the choice between either doing analysis or starting the creation of the plan. Since I've been doing analysis nonstop, I picked planning.

Right now, I am lacking quite a bit of information. I expect to get more later on, but I at least want a basic plan that I can work around. The issue is that there are so many factors that it's kind of difficult to try and build a basic plan. I got stuck for a hot minute until I came up with a different approach.

The new approach? Focus on the big factors that I do know. If I try and guess small parts now, I'd practically be wasting my time. Therefore, I put my attention on the big factors that I do know and are unlikely to change.

If you want a better explanation, imagine looking at a list of all the materials you need to build a house. That's probably overwhelming. The best way to not get overwhelmed is to figure out the most important factors and start with those. For example, carpeting is probably not as important as a wall to hold up the house. Thus, you're going to put more attention on that wall and worry about the carpeting later. That's what I am doing here.

The list becomes larger than expected, but I probably should have guessed that. As I am naming stuff, I also put that a short description on what the factor is and what I should focus on for that factor. To demonstrate, let's use the nomu. Nomu are a huge factor because of how powerful they are, and I suspect we will have to deal with those motherfuckers. They come at varying levels from the short little thing we seen the Doctor treating as a pet to Kurogiri. The ones I am specifically worried about are the nomus with regeneration abilities. I expect everybody else to deal with the nomus that don't regenerate. However, for regeneration nomus, I only know a couple of ways of defeating them: electrocuting them with my baton or Endeavor burning their heads off. I would love to just go find a nomu and start experimenting ways to kill it, but I have a feeling that won't be happening anytime soon.

Peta would probably attack me anyway for killing an 'innocent creature' despite the shits being practical zombies.

Returning to the topic at hand, I need to find an effective way of killing them! My baton gets destroyed after one user, and Endeavor, while the more efficient option, still takes a bit of time since he has to burn them for quite a bit. I have a couple of ideas of how else I can kill them, but I won't be diving into them here. I just need to know that it's something that I need to do.

Wait, why didn't I just say I was practically making a to-do list? That would have been way easier to say. Whatever.

Time slips through my fingers without me knowing it. The next thing I know, I hear knocking from the door between Shouta's and I apartment. I had to suppress a fucking jump! I don't know why Shouta is knocking. Usually, he just comes in and forces me away from my work. I guess he doesn't want to push limits considering the earlier argument. Valid but annoying.

"Come in!" I call as I check the time on my computer. It's past two in the morning. I really spent 6 hours on a fucking to-do list. Sure, it's a fancy to-do list, but still. What has my life become?

Shouta comes in in his sleeping wear looking tired and stressed AF. I assume he changed before seeing me, which is a good call on his part because I don't want to talk to him wearing his stinky hero costume.

Shouta watches me for a moment, trying to get a read on me before sighing, "You said you wanted to talk?"

I click my tongue, "You know, when I said at your earliest convenience, I presumably meant after you slept for the night." Shouta just shrugs at me.

"Wouldn't be our first discussion lacking sleep. If you want to wait, you can just tell me."

"No, but you look like shit. AKA, not okay."

Shouta sighs, "I will be okay. I've just been...anxious about this is all." I knew Shouta was going to feel bad, but bad enough to admit it to me? Holy shit, we're hitting new heights!

"Oh. Well, the sooner the better than. Where do you want it?"

"Not in front of your work."

"Understandable. To my room then!" Since that's literally the only room with a comfortable place to sit sas I decided that a desk was way more useful than a couch.

Quietly, Shouta and I move to my room, and I crawl on the bed because I ain't sitting at the edge for a long period of time. I lean back against the headboard. Shouta follows my positioning beside me, and we sort of sit there for a little bit. Shouta needs some time to think of what he wants to say. It's not uncomfortable silence by any means. I consider it more boring than anything, and I start making shapes on my fluffy blanket to amuse myself. I think we sit there for ten minutes before Shouta finally says something.

"You are none of those things that I said, Izuku. I was being...illogical about the situation, and I took it out on you in the worst way possible. That does not excuse my actions. As the adult, your practical older brother, and guardian, I should know better, but I didn't act like that. I attacked you, and I am sorry. You never deserve being told that, especially from me when I have been telling you that you have been doing better. I am not asking you to forgive me. What I am telling you is that I will do better for you. After all this and talking to Hizashi, I decided to go to therapy to improve myself and prevent that from happening again in case we get into another situation like that. If there is anything else you need me to do, tell me."

I am-

Wow. Holy shit.

I am speechless.

I knew Shouta would feel bad after saying that, but goddamn. I didn't think he would go as far as to go to therapy to get help so that he didn't accidently say something like that to me again. I was expecting an apology and for us to talk about our feelings, but he took it one step further.

Hizashi may have blasted his ears out for me, but Shouta is literally going to fucking therapy for me.

I don't know how to feel. One part of me is happy. Shouta is getting help for a situation that has been bothering him for years, and he is willing to go this far because of me. On the other hand, I can't help but feel guilty that Shouta is going this far because of me. I understand saying shit because you're an emotional mess. That's literally one of my trademarks. I don't think he should have to put so much effort into this.

It takes me a moment to realize that I still haven't responded to him.

I run my hand through my hair and huff what seems to be a mix of exasperation and a laugh, "Shouta, goddamnit, I never blamed you, you idiot. You went through some scary shit. I'm not going to blame you for saying shit when you're struggling. I'm not saying what you said didn't hurt. It did. Still kind of does. However, I get it. I would have reacted just as badly if not worse."

Shouta sighs, "I understand what you are saying, but that still doesn't excuse my actions, kid. You don't have to do it for me."

"I just don't want you to feel guilty over something I would have done as well. Yes, it's shitty. However, all we can do is move on and do better. That's part of the reason why you made the decision to go to therapy...I think."

"You're right. Do you have anything else to say about the situation besides defending me?"

"Just don't say it again and we're good. I think Hizashi did a good job at making you suffer anyway."

Shouta groans, "You're not wrong, kid."

"When am I ever wrong?"

"Self-preservation."

"I had to given a flaw or else I would be over-powered, Sho." Shouta has the nerve to look at me and rolls his eyes.

"That's an excuse."

"On my behalf, I'm traumatized."

"Brat."

"You would be concerned if I wasn't one," Shouta goes to say something, but he stops himself and glares at me. I can't help the cackle that escapes me, "I am right!"

Shouta decides to bring the subject back to what we were talking about, "So we're good?"

"Yeah," I was going to finish it like that, but then I remember the news that I have to tell him and add, "For like five seconds."

Shouta looks at me confused and concerned, "What do you mean?"

"It's on my side, no worries! I just did a stupid thing in your eyes!"

"...if it's a stupid thing, then why did you do it?"

"You'll understand once I explain. There's been a recent development on the League of Villains case."

"Did you finally get kicked off?"

I gasp aloud, "Excuse me, but I literally told you that I wouldn't be kicked off again! Stop projecting your opinions on them!"

"I can wish. I rather you not be on that case at all for safety reasons. You're on it now since it's the only case you are on."

I can't help but start laughing in a 'I'm in danger' kind of way, "Oh boy! Then you're really not going to like this!"

Shouta sits up and faces me fully. Well, if he wasn't concerned about the laughter, he is concerned about the comment for sure. I really don't want to tell him this, but I know that he needs to know for our sanity. All I am hoping for is that he doesn't kill me over this.

Shouta does not look happy, "Izuku, just tell me." I am about to, but then I realize that I kind of have leverage due to Shouta's stupidity earlier. He has to give me some sort of pity now! I am totally taking advantage of that!

I settle down, "Promise you won't straight-up attack me until after I explain everything?" Shouta owes me that much. Shouta considers it a moment and slowly nods.

"Alright."

I sigh and face forward to look at my way. I really don't want to see Shouta's expressions while I explain everything. Though, now the issue is is how am I going to explain this? I did not consider that. That was a mess-up on my part.

I sit there a solid minute figuring out my speech before deciding to just start with the something simple, let Shouta ask what he wants, and build from there,

"I got permission to tell you about the League of Villains case due to a deal I made with the HC president."

Shouta doesn't respond for a moment, but he eventually asks, "Why? Don't get me wrong: I'm glad that you are sharing the burden of the case with me. I just find it odd you are doing it now."

"Because, quite frankly, shit is going to hit the fan. If I don't talk about this to someone outside of the case, I think I would lose it mentally. I also don't want to strain our relationship because I have to keep a secret."

"Izuku, what the hell did you get yourself into that you are worried about that?" Shouta questions, and I am a little shocked that his voice is soft rather then tense when we usually talk about this kind of stuff. Maybe I should tell Shouta this kind of stuff after he does stupid shit more often. I consider my next response. I don't think I can straight-up tell him that I am a leader. He wouldn't understand. I need to give him some background.

"Can I tell you a bit about the case first? It will give you some background."

"If it will help me understand your situation better, please do."

"I'm just going to summarize what has happened recently. At Deika City, the League of Villains were there, and they went against the villain organization called the Meta Liberation Army. Simply put, despite 90% of the city population being in that organization, the League of Villains won by turning the entire place to dust. The leader gave himself and his army to the League of Villains. The League of Villains now has over 100,000 members under them, and they plan to start a war with that power in four months. These aren't pushovers either. These people have specifically trained their quirks for years."

should probably mention that they now go by the Paranormal Liberation Front, but they can suck the dirt beneath my feet over that crap.

Shouta says nothing. I don't bother to look at him either. I just dumped a bunch of shit on him. Significant shit. If I was told that we were going to war in four months out of nowhere like this, I would probably drop out of high school because fuck that shit. Yet, here I am.

"They don't believe that they have enough firepower for this," Shouta says out of the blue. I slowly nod, "That's why they restarted the work studies and why you were so pissed about it. Are they expecting the students to fight in the war?" I'm not shocked that Shouta figured that out so quickly.

I take a deep breath, "Yes. I'm doing everything in my power to stop that. I'm hoping that I will be able to use the police force that I have been building up instead of them."

"Shit, you've known this and have been working on it for how long?"

"Two weeks. I'm not the only one on the case. Gran Torino, Detective Tsukauchi, Sir Nighteye, and Hawks are on it as well. Endeavor knows about it, but he's not on the case."

"...I was wondering why you seemed so stressed out whenever you are working on it. I remember before that you were casual about it. All the sudden, you're constantly working on it, but I understand why now."

"Yeah, it's not a great time."

"And we're not done with this conversation, are we? You still have to explain that deal you mentioned earlier. I assume that's what encouraged you to tell me all of this." I nod in agreement, and I can't help but lean back against the headboard of the bed and close my eyes. Jesus fuck. Now that I say it all out loud, it really sucks!

"We plan on invading before that, obviously. I was asked to plan and lead the raid. I originally declined, but she offered to pay me what everyone else is being paid. I didn't accept until I was able to tell you everything. Once she agreed, I accepted. I am officially in charge of planning and leading the raid." Jeez, I can feel Shouta's anger from here. Despite that, he manages to keep calm enough.

"How big is this raid going to be?"

"We're probably going to need the entire hero population to pull this off."

Shouta takes a deep breath, probably to keep himself from screaming, "Damn it, kid. Do you realize what you have gotten yourself into? I don't care if you got the right to tell me and money. You're being asked to lead what sounds like one of the biggest raids in Japan's history."

"I do, and it is. However, if I can pull this off and get most of those bastards in jail, that's literally almost all my stress gone." Legit.

"Izuku, you're being asked to lead a practical war."

"I know, Sho..."

"...I rather you not be in that situation at all, but I am proud that you told me that you were in that situation. That you valued yourself enough to argue for that. It's a step in the right direction."

"I picked up something from what you told me."

"And I appreciate that. Izuku, can you look at me?" I open my eyes and look at him, "We'll get through this. It's probably going to be hell, but we'll get through it together, alright?"

I give him a smile, "Of course. Nobody can stop us."

"Don't get cocky, brat."

"It's not cockiness if it is facts."

Shouta rolls his eyes at me, "That is cockiness."

"Whatever," My smile disappears as I revert us back on topic, "So how do you feel about everything?"

"I'm pissed that you were asked to lead a hero raid, but I am not as pissed as I could be since you're telling me this. On the war itself, I need some time to accept it. I just can't believe it at the moment."

I nod in understanding, "I get it. If you want details, you can always asked."

"Maybe later, kid. Right now, it's time for sleep."

"Got it. I wish you luck sleeping with that in your head-"

Shouta interrupts me, "Both of us."

"Goddamn it."

"You haven't slept for a couple of days at least."

"And how would you know?"

"Because you're a problem child that doesn't go to bed like he should."

"Ever thought that maybe I have improved?"

"You're too stubborn for that."

"Offended," I mumble as I lay down. Once Shouta confirms that I will actually sleep, he lays down beside me.

"I know how you grew up."

"Can we not bring up my tragic backstory?"

"Brat...good night, kid. I'm always here if you need me, alright? I don't care if I'm in the middle of something, I'll drop it for you." I could make a joke out of that, but I stop myself this once for Shouta's sanity. Still, I won't say that it isn't nice to hear. It is.

"Yeah yeah. Night, Sho."

Shouta and I, despite the tea spilt, manage to sleep for a little bit at least. I'll take it.