Chapter 18: Friends
U.A Academy
Class 1-A
A quick change later and a short momentary reminder of their work assignment from All Might. The latter went into as much detail as he could while he referenced the small sheet in hand until the bell rang across the campus.
"And that's the bell! Remember to write your report well, Eraserhead will be checking them after me."
A series of affirmative nods came quickly, the impression of their homeroom teacher fresh in their mind and none dared to slack behind.
"Enjoy your lunch break!" All Might leave the class leisurely, allowing the class to break out in excitable chatter that they'd been holding back the whole time.
Crona slumped in their chair backward, eyes glancing to the side of the windows. Past his classmates and into their reflection as Kurono was currently standing and stretching their arms.
Finally, I'm starving.
"Yea," They said before looking sideways towards Ojiro pointing a thumb towards himself and nodding his head towards the back exit.
Without a word, Crona followed quietly as they headed out together before noticing something halfway.
Hmm?
A wave of suspicion came as Crona flicked their eyes to the right on Kurono's urging before it was followed by the latter's annoyance and resignation.
They quickened their pace, overtook Ojiro, and opened the door first, taking the latter by mild surprise before realizing why.
The moment they put their foot outside and looked to the sides, right into a finger and it pushed into their cheeks.
"Got you!" The blonde girl exclaimed excitedly and giggled before flicking her short hair to the sides.
"Hey," Crona muttered as they stepped outside, briefly noting Kurono shaking his head in exasperation from the window's reflection.
"Yo!" Toga greeted back as she moved to Crona's side in an instant. Ojiro's eyebrows rose in recognition and why his friend opted to go first.
"Your class got off early?" Ojiro asked as he looked at where 1-B class was, noting that only the back door was open before the front followed suit. Seconds later, 1-B students filed out, and at the lead was Kendo who blinked when she saw Toga already outside.
"I left on time." She shrugged before moving forward, taking Crona by hand, and dragged him along. "Come on, let's go! I'll get us a good table."
"Sure, sure." They nodded and followed her lead with a smile, legs shuffling as quickly as they could to keep up with Toga's pace. Ojiro simply shook his shoulders and followed.
Unbeknownst to them as they passed by class 1-A's front door, catching multiple eyes on them.
"Oh my." Momo looked at the trio, envious of such close friendship.
"He has a girlfriend already?! Damn it, I'm jealous!"
"How bold!"
"So that's Toga?" Toru peeked out between Ashido, who was brimming excitedly, and Jirou, the latter had her brows lowered in thought when she saw the blonde girl.
"Isn't that-?" She muttered, faintly recalling who exactly she was.
"Please do not block the way for the rest of the class!"
That jolted her as she and others quickly moved out towards the canteen.
Lunchtime in UA was a busy affair as students from separate grades congregate and line up to fill their stomachs.
Its staff, the famous Lunch Rush, had to prepare enough ingredients and cook them to feed thousands a day.
That was also not including special menu courses requested by students with specific dietary needs.
One example was served as he gave a thumbs up to a pink-haired student, the latter nodding back in thanks before leaving with three trays. Two of them were laden with food while the third had a more normal portion.
Shuffling and moving carefully to avoid spilling as each hand balanced one tray each while the third was held by a pitch-black arm that grew from the right shoulder.
Thankfully the students gave them a wide berth, some even eyeing the volume of their food.
Boiled chicken, rice, tofu, miso, asparagus, egg whites only, radish-
Crona focused on moving past the crowd of people as Kurono checked their specially requested food. Something that had taken some string pulling but Lunch Rush didn't mind, he enjoyed the challenge.
The former felt a welling feeling of envy, admiration, and jealousy blooming.
"Is it really amazing?" Crona asked curiously, preparing a meal looked simple enough and Kurono always had no problems with it. Time consuming perhaps.
Yes, yes it is. Kurono replied seriously as their left eye twitched and scowled. Do you have any idea of just how many things you need to keep track of while ensuring it's good quality? I have you know-
Crona winced as they were subjected to an impromptu lecture about mise en place, the difficulty of acquiring such culinary skills and consistently doing it at a high level while doing multiple dishes as well.
It went on and on until they finally reached their table, allowing Crona to let out a breath of relief as Kurono's attention turned to their friends.
"Here, you go," Crona said as he placed the numerous trays down.
"Thanks!" Toga said, hers being the smallest. Though small was relative since it was plenty for an average person.
"You look like you're about to murder someone," Ojiro commented with a raised brow as he took his tray and nodded toward him. "Foods not to your liking?"
"Nah, just…kind of envious of Lunch Rush. This is good stuff." Kurono replied despondently as Crona moved their body and seated themselves next to Toga.
"Hmm," Toga sliced a piece of chicken, popped it into her mouth, chewed, and held a contemplating look before swallowing.
"Kuro can cook this too, with lotsa practice."
"Certainly not at his speed, but you can get to the quality. Or at least, close enough." Ojiro added as he sampled a bit of the food.
"Thanks." Kurono shook his head and body side to side after a moment for that vote of confidence.
Mama's better. Crona mentioned inwardly as they compared it to Ayuna's cooking, to which Kurono only snorted.
A mother's cooking is always the best.
"Oh, hey! Toga!"
All three of them turned to a brown bob haircut girl, slightly obscuring her eyes, carrying her tray as she looked at them apprehensively. "May I join you?"
"Komori! Sure, sure!" Toga shifted to another chair, prompting Komori to move but was stopped as the blonde girl turned to Kurono first.
"Kuro~" She sweetly smiled and mimed a moving motion.
"Ok." Crona moved to her previous seat, leaving their seat open for Komori. Not realizing it placed him in the middle between Toga and Komori.
"Thank you." She smiled and joined their table, making herself comfortable before her eyes caught a large amount of food on his tray. "That's a lot of food."
"It's for psych-physi," Crona's tongue tripped before giving up and used a simpler word instead. "Growing."
"To build a strong body and muscles, alongside a thin layer of fat for protection and energy," Ojiro explained in a practiced manner to Komori in between bites. "Takes a lot of work."
"And you have to eat that amount… every day?" She apprehensively glanced down at their tray, it was enough for her lunch and dinner. Not to mention the boy that had a similar, and she would daresay, slightly thinner stature than her was wolfing down much more food than she could.
"Sometimes more?" Crona said as they munched on their food.
"They also blend and drink it up if they're in a hurry." Toga snickered, much to two consternations, and went tight-lipped at that.
Komori looked at Toga with wide eyes and mouthed 'drink' to her, which she nodded and added. "I do it too."
Komori refrained from looking disgusted and murmured to herself quietly, feeling a slight loss of appetite at the thought of just drinking her food.
"You get used to it," Toga said offhandedly as they dug into their meal. "By the way, Komori, do you have any plans later this afternoon?"
"I might need to help my parents with their business in the evening, but otherwise, I'm free."
"Want to join us?" She followed up with a smile and leaned forward. "We also managed to secure a zone for quirk practice."
"Wait, you already-How?" Komori blinked, it was barely two days in and she was sure that the other seniors would've booked all of it by then.
"I booked one early," Toga replied as she waved her hands. "It's just a small flat field anyways. The more complex ones are closed off to us."
"So, how about it?" She leaned backward to face Komori. "Want to join? It'll be fun."
"Alright then."
"Yes." She pumped her fist quietly in glee.
U.A. was everything she wanted, new friends, new teachers, new people to love, and most of all, new people that are friendly to both scaredy cat and the nice one.
After what both of them went through in their previous school, she wanted better for the two and it came true.
She hoped days like these will continue forever.
"Ah, you're here." Recovery Girl warmly said with a smile.
"Dropping the usual, and this tea," Kurono said with a bow as he entered and shook the bag of tea in hand.
She stood up with the help of her cane and ushered him in quickly even as a pair of robots moved a Trima machine closer. Despite that, Kurono moved in with a fast shuffle as they tried to help her balance.
"HOW WEIRD, THIS HUMAN ALWAYS COMES TO GIVE AWAY SO MUCH BLOOD."
"BY CALCULATIONS, HE SHOULD'VE BEEN DEAD AFTER THE FIRST EXTRACTION."
"ALMOST LIKE HE'S NOT AFRAID TO DIE."
"I'm not going to give everything…" Crona muttered as they sat Chiyo down first before he followed suit. Quickly, Chiyo took a bottle of iodine, and dabbed it once on a cotton ball, followed by a clean and with a painless jab to his arms.
"Ignore them." Recovery Girl chided the robots as she gently pushed Crona to lie down.
The two relaxed completely to prevent their blood from solidifying as the machine came to life.
"So how was class?"
"Oh, Mr. Bird and Mr. Shadow looked scary but he was nice," Crona said before giving a small smile to Chiyo.
"And they would be-?"
"Tokoyami and Dark Shadow," Kurono replied as he took the reins for a moment, sensing Crona's mind trying to remember the latter's name.
"Ah, the boy with the living shadow quirk."
"You know him?"
"It's my job to know every student." Chiyo huffed as she continued observing the machine fill itself with blood. "At least your class didn't have any serious injuries for your first time."
"Does it happen a lot?"
"No, but god help me, kids are so reckless, and more so heroes in training. They often think they're invincible." She halted the process as the robots took out a container before sliding another into the machine. "How can they be heroes if they can't even take care of themselves?"
"As a hero, you need to learn your limits and either know when to call it quits or mitigate risks." Chiyo continued as she sighed and had a blank look for a moment. "I've seen heroes, both students and professionals, have their careers cut short in a blink of an eye."
"But, what if a person needs to be saved?" Crona asked after trying to wrap their head around such a contradicting order, despite the contradiction and profession.
After all, the story wouldn't have started if not for someone breaking that rule. Kurono idly snarked.
"I'm not asking you to stand aside and do nothing, but try not to throw yourself needlessly when a person is drowning and create more trouble." With a sigh, Chiyo's shoulders lowered slightly. "It's hard, yes but don't forget, sometimes waiting for backup is an option."
"And leave it to luck?" Crona mumbled to themselves.
"...No, for heroes, we make that miracle happen." Chiyo kept quiet before she answered much more firmly as her hands tightened around her walking cane. "Be it saving one person, multiple ones, or sometimes both. "
"B-but how do we choose between one or many?" Crona responded to that answer, only feeling more unsure as both of them recalled something similar. One that Kurono idly echoed as the latter could be seen from Crona's peripheral vision reflected in Chiyo's reflective visor, showing that he had his arms crossed together.
It'll all worked out in the end and they lucked out with Ingenium and Great Tiger's incompetency.
But now, a niggling doubt comes to the fore if the circumstances had been a little different and they had to choose instead of reacting with no one to back them up.
An adult, or three children?
"MANY, OBVIOUSLY." A duo of robotic voices rang together, drawing their attention to them.
"Huh?" Crona and Kurono replied as one as they turned to the sides.
"SAVING MANY IS STATISTICALLY MORE THAN ONE."
"Right, and if that one person is your most important person?" Kurono sarcastically remarked with a lowered brow to them in annoyance before Crona could keep him in check.
"THERE'S A BILLION PLUS HUMAN BEINGS AND MORE CREATED EACH DAY." One of the robots said before the other followed suit by nodding in agreement. "ONE LIFE LOST WOULD NOT EVEN BE REGISTERED IN THE DECIMALS."
"Urgh, of course."
"INDEED, MEATBAG."
"There are no right answers," Chiyo added her opinion in between turning the Trima machine off after extracting the needed amount and removing the needle from Crona's arm as the two robots quickly transported the blood for storage.
"You can only pick your choice and live with it."
"...But I don't want to live with another wrong choice again." Crona's gaze fell to the floor, and a roiling wave of emotion surged through them before it settled ultimately into shame and regret.
More vivid images flashed, as a smile that froze in the throes of death and remained burned into their retinas.
Calm. Kurono firmly said with a light slap to their back, bringing Crona out of their troubled mood.
Just in time as Crona felt Chiyo rubbed the top of their head gently. The latter features softened before taking a lemon sweet from her pocket.
"I understand, it's not a scenario I want you to experience but you will see it every day as a pro-hero." She turned away, gaining a resigned and blank look for a moment before pushing away her old memories with a shake of her head.
"...Was it hard?" Crona asked hesitantly.
"Yes, but you have to push through it. Otherwise, it'll eat at you."
Crona addressed Chiyo, wondering just how she dealt with that. "Don't you ever just want to stop?"
"And who'll take care of little brats like you?" She pinched their cheeks lightly and smiled. "You worry about your future first before mine. These old bones still have plenty of life left."
"Go on now, you'll be late for class."
"Take care." A polite bow first before both shoulders lowered together. "Don't overwork yourself."
She shooed him with a wave of her cane as the latter left before, her shoulders lowered and her body ached.
If she doesn't do this, then who would?
There's always someone injured or needs help, like it or not, and if she can help then there isn't even a need to consider it.
That's what being a pro-hero is all about.
UA Open Ground Training Area 76
"So…what do you plan to do first?" Komori said as she and her friends were currently standing in an open field, one of the many dedicated to students' free practice, be it physical or quirk usage.
One that stunned her to no end, her previous school was nothing like this and most of her practice came from the hills located near her family business of mushroom farms.
Meanwhile, Toga was already stretching alongside the other two, even helping the other taller boy, Ojiro, as she pressed him forward to fully limber up their body.
Komori felt a bit awkward as all of them barely said a word to one another but moved with practiced ease and synchronicity.
So she quickly turned to the one closest to her. "Want me to help you stretch?"
"Ok," Crona muttered as they were currently seated, legs straight forward and touching their toes.
As she pressed and added her weight forward slowly, it was only then she realized despite being slender, the boy's body almost felt like it was a mass of hardening cement.
She could barely tell if she was pushing bones or muscle since her fingers barely dug into the skin.
"Any more, and you would need to stand on him. Kinoko." Ojiro's voice cut through her thoughts like cold water.
Blinking her eyes, Komori gasped in horror as she was practically shoving her entire weight into one knee, driving the latter face flat into their knees and folded like a paper.
Recoiling like she had been burned, Komori quickly bowed forward with her face flushed. "Sorry! I didn't mean-"
"It's alright," Crona assured her as they maintained their pose and slowly returned upright. "It was comfortable, and you had the right weight."
That's not a compliment she wanted to hear, and without thinking, she indignantly blurted her words out like lightning. "That's not what you're supposed to say, you bakamatsutake!"
Crona blinked at that as Komori shut her mouth in an instant at that, face reddening, and quickly bowed. "I'm sorry-"
"Pwahaha, she called you a bakamatsutake!" Toga was already bursting into laughter as she slapped Ojiro's shoulders multiple times much to his chagrin. "Good one!"
"But that's the truth, I didn't mean-" Crona tilted their head before it swung to the left instantly, almost like they got hit before his left hand massaged his temple.
"You know what, let's just forget what happened in the past five seconds and get to practice." Kurono rubbed his hair in annoyance before he stood straight up like a stick, stretched one leg to another before jumping once, snapped his feets together mid-air, and landed.
What a change. Komori eyed how erratic Kurono behaves, almost like seeing another person.
"Also, why are you dressed like that? Where's your PE clothes?" Kurono asked as he rested a hand on his hips and waved toward Toga's clothes.
"Ah, this?" She gestured at herself and twirled around for them once, showing off the completely ordinary UA uniform. The only difference is that there's a small machine strap around her waist, looking outwardly like a small first aid box if not for the sides with two holes.
"It's my hero costume!"
"Your hero costume is the UA uniform?" Ojiro blinked as he made sure to hear that right and while he was not one to talk, that was just so…ordinary.
"It's nice?" Crona briefly commented back before being followed by Kurono as he crossed his arms and eyed her like a parent. "You're wearing spats at least right?"
"~Who knows?" She coyly answered back but Komori frowned in confusion.
"Wait, isn't your costume-?" She was about to comment before Toga raised a finger to her lips and winked.
"Alright, spit it out. How does your actual costume look?" Kurono followed up with lowered eyes and shoulders, leading to Toga pouting at her friend.
"Well, since you insist." She sighed and placed her arms on her hips before the grey UA uniform rapidly melted away as Toga shed the disguise. It didn't stop there as everything below her neck turned into grey goo as well.
Unthinkingly, both Kurono and Crona immediately formed a singular large black wing and wrapped around her like curtains as their faces turned red. Both from embarrassment and annoyance as they turned away.
"Did you seriously just walk around with nothing but your disguise?!" The elder of the two frowned heavily and lectured her as Ojiro rubbed his temples in resignation. "I told you many times to not do that!"
"Hmm? But I'm still wearing clothes." She cooed with a tilt of her head alongside a large Cheshire grin. One that had Komori swallowed a bit at that.
Scary!
But when her eyes flicked to the other two, they barely registered it. Was it normal?
…It must be. She shrugged after a moment of thought since they were fine with it. Perhaps it was simply a quirk of hers. "Uhm, Kurono?"
"I swear-" Kurono turned with an annoyed face to Komori before shaking his head, coughing before he replied in a much calmer voice. "Yes?"
"She's wearing her costume." Komori pointed to her neck.
"...Serious?" He deadpanned skeptically and changed into confusion as Komori nodded in confirmation it really was her hero costume, prompting them to squint their eyes in Toga's direction.
"Told you so~" Toga drawled as she held the wings and lifted herself upwards, making Ojiro raise his hands at first with a blush before he too realized one thing at the same time as Kurono.
"Is that Midnight suit?" Ojiro lowered his hands as he recognized the design.
With a flip, Toga hurled herself upwards, somersaulted once, and landed on her feet like a cat. Her upper body, now visible, looked like she was wearing Midnight's hero suit. Minusing the black parts and looking much like dolls used for displaying clothes.
Then pressing a button from the box that hung behind her, a uniform came out, and twirling once, Toga put it on and looked like she was once again dressed in the UA uniform in a blink of an eye.
To complete it, she theatrically posed with two fingers raised and winked at them. "Tada!"
"But wait!" Once again, she pressed another button and this time, another set flew out as Toga ripped her current clothes with her left then swapped clothes again. This time showcasing gothic-looking clothes, combined with a short cape and poet shirt even, looking like a Victorian-era person.
Komori thought that it looked more like those stereotypical vampire Halloween dress-ups.
Kurono, Crona, and Ojiro blinked in confusion at how fast she swapped the clothing out with nary a move wasted.
No way. The former especially compared it to the Chinese face-changing opera mask performance. Crona in turn clapped at that, earning a wider smile from Toga when she saw it.
"Surprised?! Such a riveting and scandalous change only can be done by someone like her!"
"Midnight?!" Komori and Ojiro turned with open eyes as the R-Rated Hero Midnight made her appearance, one that was happily cheered by Toga as she joined her side.
"Oh, hello Miss Mask." Crona waved nonplussed, so that was who got closer while the rest was focused on Toga. One that was replied in kind as Midnight waved back to them as a question came to them.
"It's Midnight! And you don't think we'll just allow students to go unsupervised, do you? Especially if it's their first time." Midnight teased and wagged her finger with a grin, one that Toga was happy to follow. "After all, if anything happens, it is best there's help nearby."
"She taught me a lot of new things!"
"You taught her? When?" Crona tilted their head sideways with a raised brow.
"Just after the exams. I saw her potential and decided to polish it!"
"Oh, that's amazing!" Komori turned to Toga and awestruck eyes even as the latter proudly puffed her chest out. She wondered just how well Toga did that it got the personal attention of a teacher, let alone a pro-hero!
"After?" Ojiro cupped and tapped his chin in thought.
Hold up. Kurono voiced their thoughts as they blinked inwardly.
"But that's..." Crona glanced to the sides as their left hand raised to calculate the days mentally momentarily before looking at Midnight.
She winked with a smile and confirmed their suspicion. "Quite the troublesome kitten, I'll admit but that's okay, such rebellious youth only excites me!"
"But enough of that," Midnight clapped her hands together to regain all of their attention. "As your first activity, I understand that you all want to test your quirks limit or do you want to try some rough tumbling?"
"Well, since Komori just joined us I was thinking of some light quirk training first," Ojiro suggested as he looked towards Komori, mainly to ease her into their pace first rather than throw her into the deep end.
"Oh? Do tell." The R-rated hero said, intrigued, and noted his specific use of words. Most students focused on the physical aspect and usage, but not the limits.
"Kurono's idea of how quirk improves." He gestured to them with a thumb. "Said that quirks are like muscles, we need to stretch and strain them to improve."
"Dad said that." Crona quickly fibbed at Kurono's prompt.
"I see, and how do you usually train your quirk?" Midnight this time asked in a much more terse manner.
"I take a drop of blood, and let my disguise go as long as possible."
Ojiro followed up when it was his turn, gesturing to his friend with a thumb. "Kurono and I train together, he hardens and I use my tail on him for physical conditioning."
Toga snickered when she saw Midnight stifled a laugh and Komori's face turning red like a tomato at that.
"Well, I donate blood?" Crona said hesitantly when Midnight turned to them, looked to the side once, and added.
"Ah, similar to how Vlad trains." Midnight said before she followed up with a look of concern. "Hmm, you had supervision for that, I hope?"
"Yes, mama said I should never do it without her or Grandmother Chiyo looking."
"Good, good. Most of the first years will only really learn this later," She clapped her hands together and directed their attention to Kinoko. "So how about you all guide and help Komori."
"Wait, me?! But-" Komori was about to object but Toga seemed to light up at Midnight's words and quickly agreed as she zipped in front of the former.
"Yea! I want to know more about your quirk, your attack at the entrance exam was so cool!"
"That's true, did you name that move?"
"No, not yet." Her mind was reeling from how fast things are moving, she barely even thought of it since then. Let alone naming it.
"How about Mushroom Growth?"
"Too ordinary."
Ojiro felt incredibly annoyed and closed his eyes at that retort from Midnight.
"Dance of the wild fungus, how's that?" Kurono had pointed fingers and narrowed eyes in total seriousness and twinkling eyes.
Komori muffled a smirk when she saw just how Kurono called it, like some martial art move.
"Hmm, not too bad but doesn't fit her character." Their teacher shot it down immediately.
"Shroom Boom?"
"Nice but still, not enough."
"Oh."
"That sounds good though," Komori said to Midnight at that suggestion, leading to the pink-haired teen giving a small smile at that.
"Fairy Girl Parade!"
"Better!" That got a positive response from their teacher as Toga suggested the name. One that Komori played with by muttering it from her mouth before shrugging her shoulders.
"I'll think about it later, let's get to practice! I'll be in your care, senpais!" Komori bowed to them, prompting all three to return the gesture.
She can hardly contain her excitement, new peers, new friends, and most of all, new heights to reach. Toga was already way ahead of her, no doubt, the other two must be further or at least, equal as well.
1.10 PM
Tokyo City
"Do I have to deal with this now?" Ayuna rolled her eyes as she leaned back in her chair, chafing against the seatbelt as the scenery passed around her.
"Come on, you know me! It's a total coincidence!" A familiar lilac-haired and pale blue-skin woman enthusiastically said to Ayuna as she drove the car.
"Yes, Chitose, you messaged me for lunch, and popped right at my workplace within minutes the moment I agreed with a reservation for two at Daxu Izakaya." Ayuna sarcastically remarked as she rested her head against her hands and leaned to the sides. "Total coincidence."
"Well, I wouldn't get this far if I skimmed on something so basic," Chitose replied before glancing at her rear mirror. "Besides, you still got in."
Ayuna could only sigh in resignation and rolled her eyes at that.
"So how's the family?" Chitose changed the topic as she took a turn. "It's been years since I dropped by your house, still no go?"
A brief shake of Ayuna's head dampened Chitose's mood as she pouted.
"Sigh, I wanted to see Kurono, how come he doesn't want to see his sweet big sister?"
"He's just shy." Ayuna veered to a more genteel comment, her child was always anxious around her and she does not know why. Perhaps it was the personality?
"I'll try to see if I can get him to join the next time we go out together."
"That'll be nice." Chitose smiled widely.
"And how's work at Shoowaysha?"
"Boring. All the scoops are about All Might." She waved a hand dismissively. "That he is teaching at UA Academy."
"Hmm." Ayuna feigned surprise and leaned forward. "Not your interest?"
"Oh no, it is certainly fascinating. The number one hero, going back to his Alma Mater when he is approaching 50?
He is looking for new blood, possibly a successor for his agency!"
Ayuna shrugged as she figured there was no way to keep those implications with how coincidental it looked despite Nighteye and the agency's PR best effort.
"But as you said, those scoops aren't my interest. It gets the numbers but that's mainly for the company." Chitose said as she found a parking spot right in front of the Izakaya. "We're here."
Looking at the place as Ayuna got down before being greeted by one of the waiting staff, a man whose body seemed to consist of clear green slime contrasted by impeccable dark green hakama that he wore, quickly led the way to their table.
Chitose made herself comfortable and started ordering food for them as they seated at a quiet table separated from the bar.
A quiet moment passed between them as they settled down before being served their drinks.
"How's…everyone?"
"Doing well, you should drop by and visit your parents at Deika City." Chitose leaned forward with a sigh. "I'm sure they'll accept you back if you just-"
"No." Ayuna firmly placed her cup on the table and kept a neutral look, ending any other line of discussion.
"If you say so," She wisely cut that topic short and continued. "But like I said, everyone's doing well. At the rate we're going, we can expand the city as well by next year."
"After all, Detnerat has made waves and a great start since Rikiya pledged a large donation years ago during the Jaku typhoon incident."
Oh yes, that. A flash of memory of what happened there years ago struck her but she pushed it away. She had to be extra careful since Chitose is here.
"Not that I should tell you this since you're there firsthand."
Ayuna let out a sigh of relief as she steered the topic away. "Yes, I appreciate the help though..."
"There's only so long I can keep this a secret." Chitose shook her head with a frown and spoke much softer. "Best to get ready for the day of libe-"
"I know." Ayuna waved her hands, she understood Chitose's position. That the latter continued to keep good on her words was all that Ayuna needed to trust her. Hopefully, long enough that she and her family might not need to see it.
"Also, before I forget," Chitose dug into her purse and brandished a small book, the shiny cover glistened back against the orange lighting. "For you, personal autograph edition!"
"You shouldn't." Ayuna laughed at that and accepted the gift though that was the moment Chitose's smartphone buzzed noisily.
"Excuse me, I need to take the call." The latter said after glancing at the number and left Ayuna behind as she exited the restaurant.
"Curious here, anything you need?"
UA Staff Office
2.58 PM
Hmm, what could the young ones do better? All Might sat in the teacher's office, looking through a large amount of information and recordings of all his students.
His current suit sagged around him as he sat in a depowered state, not wanting to waste it unless he had to. Ever since he passed One For All to his protege, he can feel it ebb faster from his body.
Thankfully, he was still able to operate for 48 hours and was somewhat physically healthy instead of being a stick figure.
Giving a glance towards the clock, he noted that it was nearly three in the afternoon.
That took a little more time than expected as he reviewed the last match of Class 1-B, the reliable Kendo Itsuka paired with silent Kodai Yui as the villain team.
And on the other side, Toga Himiko and Monoma Neito.
He winced a little when he recalled that match.
The heroes' team acted more like villains than the actual assigned villain team.
However, they also had much better coordination with one another and it was hard to imagine that this was their first time. The most he could comment on and recommend to fix the most was their behavior, aside from their quirk and physical conditioning.
Nevertheless, this was a fruitful attempt for his first class. Why, no one got seriously injured and everyone is wiser than yesterday!
He can start to understand Nana and Gran Torino's feelings when they trained him alongside the challenges provided.
Though he preferred to not use the latter method more than necessary.
"I am here!" His phone noisily buzzed as his thought was broken, a quick look and flick had him lowered an eyebrow as he looked at the message from his sidekick.
We found a lead.
That had him on edge as he made his way out of the office and into somewhere private first.
Picking an empty meeting room, All Might responded quickly as he raised his phone to his ears by returning the call.
"All Might."
"Nighteye, the lead?"
"Increase of activity amongst the Yakuza, as more of them looked to be laying low but are being assimilated rapidly under one group." Nighteye curtly reported to him, which worried the latter immensely. "Signs of struggle however are nonexistent, or hidden well enough."
But they ensured to thoroughly kept an eye out on Chisaki Kai and all of his lieutenants, how did they escape surveillance unless-
"They had outside help." All Might deduce to Nighteye, who only nodded and continued.
"Numerous low-ranking villains have also joined the Shie Hassaikai, we can expect them to reach the higher-ranking villains just as well."
"Is Tsukauchi aware of this?"
"Aware and prepared counter-measures even if it means getting help from other hero agencies. Endeavor, in particular, was adamant on being part of it."
That earned a reassuring chuckle from All Might, there was no one more reliable than him when it comes to case-solving.
"We have also obtained Hawk's help, he offered his services as part of his partnership. A helping wing, in his words."
That got a chuckle out of him at that pun. It seems that the new partnership of Hawks and Endeavour seemed to be going well. Or at least, professional enough that the two were on each other's wavelengths constantly.
"New products are also being distributed in the streets. They're no longer just distributing Trigger."
"And that would be-?"
"Insomniac. An improved version of Trigger, boost quirks and physical strength like never before." Nighteye reported as new messages came to his phone, detailing the new drug effects. "Last much longer, taken by oral or injection method. Nearly untraceable as well."
"Is that possible?" All Might narrowed his eyes at that, that's a huge improvement compared to Trigger.
"I've sent samples to David for him to analyze. Though we have found side-effects at least." The latter cleared his throat before continuing. "Lethargy, loss of short-term memories, and in extreme cases, bouts of sleepwalking."
Hence the name, huh?
"That's all for now, we're still gathering evidence and a perfect time to strike. Not to mention we're trying to find just who's making all this, Overhaul was a brilliant person but this-"
"Much more specialized?"
"Indeed. For the other investigation about the MLA, it's much worse than we thought."
Already, a bitter taste welled up in his mouth as he steeled himself for the news. "How bad?"
"Aside from Detnerat, we're uncovering ties to political parties, news, medical, tech, communications, and even fashion companies. This is just the surface, there's more that's yet to be uncovered."
Not on par with All For One reach, but deep enough that it can make large waves if it moved.
No wonder their oracle warned them of this threat, he can't imagine what would've happened if they didn't discover this until it was too late.
They needed to halt this threat from growing, or at least, weaken their cause so that it's feasible to take them piecemeal in the long run.
"Alright, I'll pass this information to Nezu. See if he's able to pinpoint or narrow down their reach."
"Also, remember to spend more time with your protege." All Might said with a grin as Nighteye nodded through the phone in acknowledgment.
"No need to remind me, and bring Midoriya with you when you drop by. He needs a lot more training, and the U.A. sports festival isn't that far off."
"Right after my session with Recovery Girl, once that's done, we'll head right there." All Might smiled through the phone and ended the call.
Troubling news, but All Might smiled as he moved forward energetically. Regardless of how it is, the future was bright. Already, Togata Mirio was proving himself to be an excellent hero for the upcoming heroes, and in the future, young Izuku will enter the stage with a blast!
That's also not getting into this year's batch of heroes in training, most of the staff mentioned that this year was particularly hopeful.
And it was his duty, as the Symbol of Peace, to ensure all of them are raised well!
Truly, it's an honor and for that, he'll go beyond.
Plus Ultra!
AN: Right, a little slow but I'm hitting some stride as I have reorganized parts of my notes, and future direction of how I want this story to go.
Please leave a comment and criticism, everyone of them will help tremendously.