The week's nearing its end, and the Judge has to select his candidates but there are so many of them that he's having trouble selecting them. The crimes are numerous, ranging from cowardice to deliberate action. He doesn't know what sickens him more between the two of them. While scrolling down the list, he wonders if there's a Hero beside All Might that is worthy of being a hero. Vaguely, his mind conjures a man his age with two-toned hair and eyes of different colours.

Todoroki Shouto has committed no crimes, not that he's aware of, therefore he isn't listed. He's a blank page with no history.

He didn't act like a father.

Midoriya moves his cursor and with a few clicks a new page is created. It's a big catch. It's a gamble. He's not sure either Dabi or Toga, or even the both of them fighting like two oiled cogs, are capable of defeating him. If he selects Endeavor, then he has to find a stronger agent to confront the Hero but does one even exist? There's a reason why Endeavor is the Number Two Hero.

Midoriya doesn't have to search for information on the Hero. Beside his All Might figurines, he did own one of the Flame Hero. He didn't worship it as much as the Number One but Endeavor had his respect for becoming what Midoriya couldn't be.

He was working on assumption since Yaoyorozu didn't explicitly told him what Endeavor did or didn't do, but Midoriya trusts his intuition. The relationship between the two Heroes has never been the best and it's never been a secret. But people never dig deeper, never ask the good questions. They don't question why the gap between the two Todoroki is widening. But Midoriya is different. The Judge is different. They see and they listen and they always remember.

Midoriya's phone buzzes against the table, breaking his concentration. He glances at it and frowns at the message. It's certainly Tomura's style to call him at such a late hour, but the sender is Tsukauchi Naomasa, convoking him for an impromptu reunion taking place in a most odd location: Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro. The message is curt and imperious, specifying that he mustn't tell anyone of this meeting. Why would they go at a facility that closes at eight o'clock around midnight?

It feels as shady as when the League of Villains contacts him.

Curiosity piqued although remaining wary, Midoriya hops off his chair and gets out of his room. He's surprised to see his mother awake and watching some popular drama in front of their kotatsu. Midoriya feel waves of warmth drifting his way as he approaches her. He realises she's dozing, one hand clutching the telly remote while the other supports her chin, her arm propped on the kotatsu.

He closes the television, plunging the apartment in silence. Grabbing a sticky note, Midoriya puts it on the table and scrawls that he's out but that he'll come back soon. He hopes it's the truth. He has to select his candidates, after all.

He's never been to Sunshine Aquarium before and if he had the choice, he wouldn't go there at night. Instead of meeting a security guard and a locked door, he has no trouble entering the building. It's not as dark as he thought it would be, for the direct elevator linking the first floor to the aquarium is illuminated like a beacon. The ride to the rooftop is silent and Midoriya keeps checking his phone, somehow hoping to receive a message from Tsukauchi saying it was a prank.

The elevator doors open with a ding, revealing a waterfall screen. Stepping out, Midoriya inspects his surroundings. He's standing alone near the ticket counter and except for the sound of water rushing down, it's eerily quiet. He ambles to the welcome centre before faltering. The message didn't specify where he has to go. According to the plan, there are two floors plus an open area with a café. He decides to head to the café since it's the most suitable meeting place there is.

He's never been to Sunshine Aquarium before but he's definitely returning. An elevated system of rings filled with water shows sea lions and penguins swimming. They're evidently in separate systems, or else the water would be coloured red in no time. The moonlight going through the rings casts ethereal shadows on the ground and they dance following the water's flow. The entire rooftop seems to shimmer in a silver glow.

As beautiful as it is, some places aren't meant to be empty and this is one of them.

"Midoriya?"

Clouds obscure the sky, swallowing the moon and dimming its light, but Midoriya instantly recognises the voice calling him.

"Todoroki-kun? What are you doing here?"

"I received a message from Detective Tsukauchi." Todoroki's phone lights up the darkness, making Midoriya squint. "I assume you're here for the same reason."

"Yes, I am but I didn't see Tsukauchi-san yet."

"Neither did I."

The clouds are swept away, the light bathing the rooftop. Todoroki's standing a few feet away, a frown on his face. Midoriya checks his own phone but there's no new message notification. Is this one of the detective's strategies to make them grow closer? It's futile since none of them trust the other enough.

"Have you seen anyone else?" Todoroki asks him.

Midoriya shakes his head, a frown of his own starting to appear. "No. I think we're the only ones."

"The Judge first appeared in late September."

Both Midoriya and Todoroki's eyes dart on the entrance of the outdoor area. A silhouette's shrouded in darkness, observing them from afar, but there's no doubt that the voice belongs to Tsukauchi. He removes his hat, indeed revealing his gentle albeit worn features.

"On September twenty-ninth, to be precise. What date are we today?" He inquires.

"October twenty-third," Todoroki replies without hesitation. "Soon October twenty-fourth."

"And how many victims has he claimed?"

The question's directed to Midoriya, this time, and he has trouble answering with Tsukauchi's eyes locked on him. "Three."

"Ten. Lesson number two: a victim is a person who suffered from another. It's true that the Judge murdered three Pro Heroes but he also hurt Shimomura's girlfriend and his parents, Yamazaki's sister, killed Lilian Schmidt and destroyed Natsuhiko's life."

Midoriya experiences a pang in his chest that has nothing to do with his healing wound.

"Lesson number two?" Todoroki repeats. "What's lesson number one?"

"Lesson number one: everyone lies."

Midoriya's too shocked to react, the detective still examining him.

"Tsukauchi, why did you ask for the two of us to come here?"

Tsukauchi's focus finally shifts and Midoriya has to stifle a sigh of relief. He's never been more thankful for Todoroki's presence.

"The Judge kills Pro Heroes he considers guilty. Except for their profession, they didn't seem to be related in another way. However, I've discovered they are connected. Midoriya-kun, do you remember the website you first showed me?"

He straightens at his name, stuttering, "T-The website, sir?"

"Yes. You showed me a website. Shimomura Kai was guilty of failing his duty to rescue. Do you remember, Midoriya-kun?"

He nods, clenching his hands so they stop shaking. "Yes sir, I remember. What of it?"

"I dismissed its relevance when I first heard it but upon thinking about it, I decided it could be useful. I decided to copy the website's data on a USB key, one of my old detective habits, and what a surprise it was when I showed up at the office next morning to find it deleted."

"The page was deleted?"

"Not just the page. The USB key was empty and the original website, entirely deleted. Do you understand what it means?"

Midoriya's breath hitches as he gasps, "Someone's working with the Judge."

"Or worse," Todoroki mutters, "someone is the Judge."

Impossible. Midoriya staggers backwards, catching himself on one of the café's chairs. What happened that he didn't notice? If Tsukauchi had full access to the website's data, he could've seen the Judge's potential candidates. While it may be troublesome during the execution, it wouldn't jeopardise his position within the Police Force.

Is this a trap? His heart's thundering so loud he fears his bones will shatter. Even with his hands fisted, he can't control their shaking and he also has no say over the chills rolling down his back.

"The reason why you two are present tonight is because you weren't there when I decided to copy the data. Midoriya, you were already home and Todoroki, you weren't on the team yet. Everyone else, however, saw it."

Midoriya's head snaps up, eyes wide. Does it mean he's cleared of doubts, or is Tsukauchi toying with him to evaluate his reaction?

"Why did you wait before telling us?" He whispers.

"I thought I could find the traitor by myself. Aside from Tamakawa, the men who were assigned to me were recommendations from Chief Tsuragamae so I could be objective without any difficulty. But… I was a fool to think so and because of my arrogance, the Judge made three more victims."

"There are three investigators aside from the three of us and Tamakawa," Todoroki points out. "Yoshida, Katsuo and Subaru."

"We were more when we first started. Some members abandoned because the task was deemed too much. I've investigated them as well and found nothing."

Todoroki rubs his chin, asking, "And what is your instinct telling you?"

The detective sighs, "That I'm not searching at the right place even if the signs all point in this direction. I fear I've met a dead end."

"So what do we do now?"

Tsukauchi doesn't answer, rather sitting down beside Midoriya and beckoning Todoroki over. Once the Pro Hero is seated, the three of them mull over, silent, as the penguins and sea lions go back and forth their exhibits and the rings.

"Midoriya-kun, you've been silent."

He avoids Tsukauchi's eyes, murmuring, "I'm worried, that's all."

"I know. So am I. We have to catch him before he makes another victim. The leads we have are thin but I'm convinced this website is the key to find who the Judge targets."

"Pro Heroes who failed to rescue civilians like Shimomura, who ran away from a scene like Yamazaki or who were involved with illegal business like Tozawa," Todoroki deduces. "They were all unbecoming of a Pro Hero."

"We're not facing a bloodthirsty killer but the worst kind of them."

Midoriya doesn't like his foreboding tone. "Tsukauchi-san, what do you mean?"

"We're facing someone who believes that his murders are righteous. He'll be relentless like a bloodthirsty killer, but he's not going to get bored or slip up intentionally to toy with the Police Force. He's going to act rationally and efficiently with firm conviction that he's doing good."

He's not going to, Midoriya thinks. He already is.

"What if we trick him?" Todoroki offers.

"Trick him?" Tsukauchi echoes, thoughtful.

"We can pull his strings now that we know his motive. We can fake a scandal that will be so shocking he won't be able to look away. Lets' be creative: failure to save civilians, ignoring calls from his Hero Office, weapon trafficking. When the Judge will move that's when you will strike."

The detective shakes his head even before Todoroki's finished. "As tempting as it is, I refuse to endanger a Pro Hero's life."

"I knew what I got myself into when I joined your team and if I suggested this stratagem, then it means I'm volunteering. Let me be the bait."

"But you're innocent," Midoriya protests. "It's not only the Judge who will focus on you but the medias. They'll destroy your reputation."

Todoroki shrugs, not even meeting his eyes. "It's for a good cause."

"If the Judge kills you—"

"Then he'll kill me but in the end you'll catch him, won't you?"

Midoriya can't believe what he's hearing. "What are you saying?" He hisses. "Don't act like your life's worth nothing."

"You know nothing about my life."

"Maybe but that's not a reason to throw it away," he shouts, one fist slamming on the table.

"Boys."

Midoriya seethes and pulls back, forcing himself to stay seated and not to jump at Todoroki to grab him by the collar. Todoroki looks away but there's no trace of regret or reflection on his face. Tsukauchi sighs, one hand brushing through his hair.

"Todoroki, I'm afraid Midoriya-kun's right. We'll know you're innocent but the Judge and the medias won't know it. I refuse to drag your name in the mud for this criminal."

"We can't achieve anything without taking risks. If we don't do something — anything — soon, then with our current situation we won't be able to prevent a fourth murder."

"Let me think…"

"We don't have time to think," Todoroki insists, standing up. "We have to act before he does. Midoriya." The main concerned glares at him, still bitter. "Any ideas?"

"I'm not an instruction manual," he snaps back as he rises as well, heading towards the exit. "You figure it out."

"Midoriya-kun, wait!" Tsukauchi exclaims but he pointedly ignores him.

He gets into the elevator and punches the first floor button, cursing as pain blooms on his knuckles. The doors close noiselessly, sealing him off the world. The tension in his shoulders eases as he breathes out, leaning against the wall. He didn't act like himself back then. Tsukauchi will definitely question him the next time they'll be alone and Todoroki...

What a fool. Does he have to be so infuriating? Doesn't he understand that he's worth something, no matter how shitty his life may have been? Talk about shitty, yes, because he was born with a wonderful Quirk and accepted in one of the most prestigious Hero programs only to congratulate with near top marks and possessing a Hero Office at such a young age.

A wheezing sound fills the elevator, the lights flickering above him. Midoriya yelps as the metallic cage begins jolting, his hands searching for nonexistent handles. He hears ominous cracking noises from above him and a second later, the main cables snap, the elevator plunging down. Midoriya screams as he feels himself flying, hitting the ceiling as unmerciful gravity sends him towards the ground. The fall must've lasted a few seconds before meeting the first floor. He collides against the floor, wincing as the impact resounds in his head.

Everything is still. He gathers his senses, flexing his fingers tentatively. The lights have dimmed but he can discern the closed elevator doors in front of him. He props himself on his elbows slowly but the world still lurches. Groaning, he lets his head hang low, shutting his eyes.

A minor concussion. No broken bones.

He rises on shaky legs, using the walls as support. There's not even a dent on the doors or a fissure so he can pry them open, not that he has enough strength to do so to begin with. Stumbling to them, he bangs on the doors. It's pointless, really. As far as he knows, Tsukauchi and Todoroki are the only ones in the entire building and when they'll leave, they'll realise the elevator doesn't function. He simply has to send the detective a message.

He's taking out his phone when a hole starts taking shape in the middle of the doors. The dust gives away his saviour's identity, for there's no one else capable of decaying metal.

"Tomura?" As glad as he is to be freed, he's also nervous. "Tomura, Tsukauchi-san and Pro Hero Shouto are in this building. We have to leave before we get caught. Where's Kurogiri?"

The villain doesn't answer, his hand still splayed in front of him. Midoriya scowls at his silence but doesn't waste time walking out of the elevator. The other villain or his warp gate are nowhere to be seen. They shine by their absence since they always seem to linger near the League's leader… or rather the leader designated by All for One in his stead.

"Tomura, we should go."

"Yes, you should go."

Midoriya takes a step back when he catches Tomura's face. He's grinning, red eyes gleaming with malevolence. He's practically oozing killing intent but it must be a mistake…

He's been asking himself the question for a while now: Isn't Tomura my ally?

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"You have to go," he tells him.

Midoriya catches a glimpse of Tomura's hand closing in and he ducks, distancing himself from the villain. As long as he stays out of range, he might have a chance to— He startles when Tomura sprints towards him, so fast he barely has time to dodge. He tries to deliver a kick with his knee in the villain's stomach but Tomura catches it. Midoriya blanches and squirms to get away but Tomura's fingers grip his knee firmly, making the fabric of his pants crumbles to bits.

"I knew you were nothing but trouble when we first me, kozo."

Midoriya hisses as his skin fissures and peels away but he keeps on watching Tomura. "I thought we were starting to understand each other."

"Only one person will succeed to Sensei and it's going to be me."

"I never thought about stealing your place, I swear."

He swings one fist to punch his face but Tomura grabs it in midair effortlessly. Only four of his fingers touch his skin but Midoriya doesn't know if it's deliberate or not.

"It doesn't matter if you did or not." The fifth finger connects with his skin, his Quirk immediately activating. "I can't risk it."

Midoriya clenches his teeth and twists his body in the air to free himself from Tomura's grip but he's unyielding. The two of them tumble down, Midoriya struggling to punch him while Tomura has abandoned his fist to focus on holding his knee. His skin's searing now, or rather his muscles since the skin's gone. He witnessed the danger of Tomura's Quirk countless times but he's never experienced its devastating effects before.

Abruptly the pain diminishes. It doesn't cease entirely but Midoriya feels like he can finally breathe, as if he's been submerged under water this whole time. His breathing coming out in pants, he looks up to see Tomura staggering backwards, holding his shoulder.

"Todoroki!" Tsukauchi yells from behind Midoriya and as if on cue, spikes of ice hurtle towards the villain at such speed that Midoriya has trouble seeing them. "Midoriya-kun, are you alright?"

Tsukauchi kneels next to him, taking in his ruined knee. Midoriya stares down as well, noticing that Tomura's Decay had begun to eat his muscles but Tsukauchi had intervened before it could disintegrate them.

"Put your arm around my neck, I'll get you out of here."

"But Todoroki—"

"Todoroki can handle this."

And he was. Todoroki was using his ice Quirk to keep Tomura away but still could be on the offensive by flinging spikes. They're like dancers twirling on their own axis and seeking to topple the other without leaving their spot. Midoriya can't tear his eyes away from the fight, glancing over his shoulder as Tsukauchi leads him away.

"Tsukauchi-san," he murmurs once they're out of the building. "Please go help Todoroki-kun."

"There's no need to." Both of them turn around to see Todoroki standing on the threshold, scowling. "His chauffeur came to pick him up before I could finish him off."

"It's the second time he attacks us," Tsukauchi notes. "I can believe that he's linked to the Judge but how did he know we were having a meeting? I only told you two."

"There are two options," Midoriya declares. "Either the Judge's tracking one of us and sent Tomura or it's a coincidence."

"What do you think is most plausible?" Todoroki asks, addressing himself to the detective.

"It's been an eventful night and I think we should all head home. We can think about Todoroki's plan and Tomura Shigaraki's involvement with the Judge tomorrow."

After calling for a taxi for Midoriya, Tsukauchi hands him a few bills, for which Midoriya's grateful because in his hurry to reach Sunshine Aquarium he didn't even grab any IDs or money. He's hesitant to leave his two protégés alone, though, his eyebrows furrowed.

"I'll make sure he gets home safe, Tsukauchi," Todoroki intervenes, already swapping places with the detective as Midoriya's support. "He has nothing to fear with me."

"Thank you, boys," Tsukauchi tells them but Midoriya has no idea why they're being thanked. "I'll see you tomorrow at one."

"One?" Midoriya repeats.

"I made you work late, so make sure you get rest."

On these parting words, Tsukauchi fades away in the darkness, his hat back on his head and hiding his features. The two younger men sit down on a nearby bench, Todoroki helping Midoriya not to hurt his knee furthermore, as they wait for the taxi. The silence, however, is broken fast.

"You forgot an option back then. One of us may be the Judge," Todoroki whispers, and even if his tone isn't accusatory, Midoriya knows he's being targeted.

"It's an option," he admits, grimacing inwardly.

He stares heavenward at the moon partially hidden by clouds breezing by. The wind picks up, rustling the leaves and carrying some of them far from the trees. One of them falls on Midoriya's lap and he picks up. He feels compelled to crumple it.

"Midoriya, are you the Judge?"

He's been waiting for this question for a while now. Of course, it had to be Todoroki asking him. It could've been worse, like Tsukauchi and his damn Quirk, but confronting Todoroki seemed worse. Midoriya's never been as confident as when he fools his colleagues and his superior with Todoroki. The latter belongs to another realm, one that Midoriya admires, and for now Todoroki has been nothing but honourable as a Pro Hero despite his cold demeanour. He isn't All Might but somehow he inspires equivalent respect.

Midoriya throws his head back and laughs. It's hearty, originating deep from his ribcage, and he can't remember the last time he laughed this much. It's the stress crashing down, for there's nothing funny in this situation. Had he been less tired, he would've cried. Is this it? The end of his three-week long career as murderer and his four-year long career as a pathetic excuse of a 'police officer'?

Todoroki waits for him to calm down before repeating his question. "Midoriya, I'm serious. Are you the Judge?"

Sobering down, he wipes the corner of his eyes. "I'm not." The Hero's eyes narrow and Midoriya scoffs, "Why are you asking if you don't believe me?"

"I'm asking you because I wanted to hear the truth but I believe you didn't."

"Don't act like Tsukauchi-san, Todoroki-kun. It doesn't fit you."

"The Judge doesn't fit you either."

"I said I wasn't the Judge," Midoriya insists.

"The taxi's arrived."

A black car's indeed heading their way and stops in front of them. Todoroki helps Midoriya to get inside before shutting the door, remaining outside. Midoriya grabs his arm before he can leave.

"You're not coming?"

"No, I'll walk."

Or perhaps he doesn't trust Midoriya not to kill him during the cab ride. It's a ridiculous thought. Not only it would be messy but he wouldn't be subtle at all. Midoriya's about to let him go when he notices frost on Todoroki's forearm. The Hero jerks his arm away, glowering.

"Why don't you melt it? Now that I think about it, I've never seen you use your fire."

"You should get going. It's almost one in the morning."

"But seriously, melt it. It shouldn't be too difficult."

"It's none of your business."

Midoriya shrugs, "Well, stay frostbitten, like I care. I think it's a little pretentious to refuse something you're born with. Some would die to have such a power and you just reject it."

Todoroki ground his teeth as he growls, "You don't understand."

"Maybe but I know what it is to be born with nothing. When I see people like you refusing their Quirk I wonder why you got one if you don't plan using it. You should just be Quirkless and offer your power to people who are ready to use it."

The cab honks, the driver irritated as he asks them if they're going to spend the night talking. Midoriya glares at Todoroki. Oh, how unfair it is and what he would do to have such an amazing Quirk like him.

"It's people like you the Judge targets."

Before Todoroki could answer, the taxi's driving away, leaving him standing alone in front of the building. Midoriya closes the window, folding his arms. Tsukauchi advised them to think about what happened in the morning but it's a half past twelve so technically it already is morning.

Midoriya's not sure he understands everything that happened but he has a bad feeling.