Trigger Warning:

- witnessing someone else be abused

Today is the funeral.

The second part.

My chance to finally talk to Selene.

The event was being broadcasted, making it easy to locate where it was taking place.

I'm bunking my training session at Endeavor's agency to go there. Probably not a smart idea, but I can't really care. Not when I get to see her again. What I do care is not making things worse for her. For that purpose, I change out of my hero costume into a conservative black-and-white tuxedo.

In Japan, nearly all funerals are conducted via Buddhist traditions, regardless of the religion of the family. Although Selene is a Grecian name later adopted by Christians, she is actually Buddhist. She once told me that she knew so much about Christianity because she spent her childhood in England and was amused by some of its ideas. Amusing. I found the word choice interesting back then. Then, when she decided that the name of the Christian Devil would become her name, I understood. Buddhist funerals in Japan have three parts: the wake, the funeral ceremony, and the cremation. I am going to attend the ceremony. The one part of the funeral where people besides family members may attend. The wake was yesterday and not recorded live; the cremation will be done tomorrow and also will not be broadcasted.

I have no idea when she will return to school, so this is my only opportunity to converse with her.

So while I have my legitimate reasons for going there, I still do not understand why Bakugou and Midoriya decided to come with me.

"I can catch up on my work-study hours later," I state, turning back to glance at Bakugou staring into the mirror to wear his tie and Midoriya fumbling with the shirt buttons. "But why are you two so adamant on going? You guys won't get the extra chance like me."

Bakugou's eyes meets my reflection. "Because you won't be able to see her alone," he says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Your depressed ass didn't come out of your room all day, and when you did, you had a hella difficult time seeing her. Either you will need our help if you break down again, when you sneak in, or both. My money is on both." I open my mouth to ask if he is really doing this for me. He reads my mind. "Don't think I'm doing this for you, Icy Hot! If anything happens to you, your dad will come for our throats. And I will not suffer the consequences of your emotional recklessness. Got that?" His snarl dares me to contradict. I do not. His defensiveness has helped me realize the real reason he is doing this.

Selene. He and Selene were kidnapped together by the League last summer. Though he will never admit it, her being specifically targeted must have incited his fear. He wants information, just like I do. Bakugou seeks to know if the League might come for him again.

I can hardly fault him for that. That leaves Midoriya's motives. He is more upfront about them: information, classmate concern, and discernment of the villains' intentions. "The media only tells us so much," he explains. "I want to hear the events directly from her."

So after we apply finishing touches to our suits, we leave the restroom and board the train.

When we get off, we hail a cab to the Hanada mansion. The funeral is being held at the home of the deceased.

I wonder why Hanada-shi decided to hold the ceremony in the same place where his children were killed, but after passing through the tight security at the gates and seeing all the high-society attendees gathered in the front courtyard, I understand. Politicians, business magnates, celebrities, high-ranking officials from the police and military, news channels heads, their children, and even some of the top Pro-Heroes. The cream of the crop. This is a strategic statement to the villains, and a guise to form alliances amongst each other.

This abyss just keeps getting deeper.

We navigate past the circles of humans whispering in hushed, subdued voices. I catch a few words here and there. "League … burnt … survived … New Year … decayed …" Nothing new. Bakugou and Midoriya eavesdrop, too. That is when I spot Tsukauchi-san, a detective in the police department with strong connections to U.A. and in charge of the case. He might help. Pointing him out to my friends, the three of us make our way toward him.

Immediately, I pause in my tracks. He is in deep discussion with a sturdy, tall man. Short, crimson hair; turquoise eyes; scar that runs from his forehead down to his chin; iron-colored tuxedo that accentuates his muscular build. Who fits that description? My dad.

What are you doing here?

I do not notice I voice the question out loud until Endeavor spots me and parrots the same question to me. He looks left and right just behind me. "What are you three doing here?" he asks, utterly incredulous. "You all should be at the agency taking instructions from Burnin!"

"So much for keeping him off our throats," I hear Bakugou mutter under his breath.

Midoriya begins to stammer out an explanation, but I cut him off. "Same as you," I reply. "To speak with Selene."

He must see the deadness covering my face like a mask because he does not press further. Or perhaps silent communication between a father and a son tells him all that he needs to know. "Did you bring okoden?" Okoden is the money in a special envelope that the guests offer to the bereaved. A symbol of respect for the mourning family. I pat the suit chest pocket.

"Five thousand yen. Bakugou and Midoriya also have theirs. And yes, I remembered to use old notes, not the new."

Assured, he nods once, ushering us to do what we want as long as we don't cause a scene. That does not mean I have forgotten my original purpose. I turn to Tsukauchi-san and ask him what he knows.

He prefaces his speech with the fact that there are some details that he is required to keep confidential. We tell him it's fine.

"I was just hoping you could tell us something that the news did not reveal."

"Well …" he considers, carefully. "The police department as a whole is confused how the League of Villains managed to get inside. This mansion has a strong security system, a little more than a hundred servants, and armed bodyguards. Like the zen garden here, all the other gardens form a perimeter around the mansion. There are no places to hide. But the murders happened in Hanada Selene's bedroom. There were no signs of a break-in; none of the servants on the night shift said they heard something; and the bodyguards at the main entrances did not report any suspicious activity. What's more curious is that the fire alarm in the bedroom was tampered with."

"Kurogiri is part of the League. He could have teleported them directly," I argue. Bakugou and Midoriya support me, too.

"Was," Tsukauchi-san corrects. "Kurogiri was a part of the League. We never publicized it, but between us, he was captured. Right now, he is being kept under constant surveillance at Tartarus."

That detail takes some time to sink in. When it does, I finally comprehend just how dangerous the situation was. I hesitate to voice the question that terrifies me just thinking about it. Knowledge is power. But do I really want to know the truth? I reflect for a moment longer. All those times the League of Villains had attacked, had the heroes known sooner, all of them could have been countered. Unnecessary deaths could have been countered; All Might would not have had to retire; U.A. would not have been scrutinized by the public. Selene would have been safe. All these ifs and buts. So many possibilities, but the only thing we can do is accept our mistakes, learn from them, and never repeat them. Ahearn-san taught Selene that lesson, who shared it with me.

We meet fear. We greet the unexpected visitor and listen to what he has to tell us. When fear arrives, something is about to happen. And if something will happen, it is best to be prepared for it.

Having found my conviction, I meet Tsukauchi-san's gaze head-on.

"Do you think the League of Villains has acquired new power?"

There. I said it. The fear that was knocking persistently until I let it in.

"I cannot answer that," he responds.

He does not have to. His evasion is enough of a confirmation. He suspects the same thing I do. Endeavor and Tsukauchi-san watch me bow and turn around with a silent goodbye. Initially, I had believed that hurting Selene was the villains' proclamation that without quirks, they were capable of causing harm. Turns out that the true declaration runs a little deeper than that. We have an arsenal of power that you heroes are unaware of. And we are not afraid to use it.

The League of Villains is planning something big. That is for certain. Now the questions are, when, where, and how?

To get hints to the answers to those questions, I must find Selene.

However, I do not get the chance to. Speakers emit out the message that the funeral will begin shortly, and all attendees must make their way to the grand hall.

Bakugou, Midoriya, and I enter the mansion. We do not stand by Dad's side, but we hover around him just enough so that we blend in with everyone else. The crowd and well-placed signs guide us to the funeral reception.

Even from my position, I can tell that the hall is enormous. Big enough to hold the few hundred guests that have attended and the media. The cameramen have already set up the equipment, and reporters are already jotting down notes from their interactions with the guests. Evening light filtering from rows of windows illuminate the three altars are set at the front for three deceased people. Gifting flowers is not typical at Japanese Buddhist funerals; however, due to Western influence, white and yellow lilies and chrysanthemums adorn the altars.

What really garners my attention is that the bodies of Hanada-shi's sons are not on display. As per Japanese custom, the bodies are set in a coffin packed with dry ice. They are set in front of the altar for public view, along with a picture of the deceased and incense. Only two of those three are present. Then again, it makes sense.

The first son is nothing more than dust; the second son is badly burnt; the third son is mutilated. No amount of makeup would make their bodies presentable.

Just across the threshold stands the person I love the most next to the person I hate the most. Selene and Hanada-shi greet each attendee one by one. She is wearing a plain yet elegant black kimono with matching black gloves. A simple necklace of pearls circles her neck, and her long, gradient tresses are gathered in a side chignon. Instead of a crown of flowers as is her signature style, behind the ear opposite the chignon is a yellow chrysanthemum. I notice that she is not wearing the pendant I gave her; if I was in her place, I would do the same.

"Let's get in line," I hear Bakugou grumble.

The queue moves forward slowly. Each person giving their condolences and bowing before signing the name in the registry. I'm curious how many of them are going to stay behind after the ceremony is over. Who has come here under the pretense of assuaging grief, only to further his or her own agenda? Midoriya's turn comes. Selene's practiced sad smile contorts to widened eyes and slightly ajar mouth. She recovers instantly and greets him with a natural, soft smile. "It's good to see you, Midoriya-san. How are you?"

"I should be asking you that question," he laughs, forcibly.

My eyes narrow at the reaction.

She opens her mouth to respond, but Hanada-shi beats her to it. "Are you two friends?" His gaze alternates between him and her.

"We're classmates," Midoriya answers. "We get along all right."

I watch him reach around Selene and rest a hand on her shoulder. "Wow, Selene. You never told me that you had so many friends at school."

Had I not spent so much time with her, I would never be able to read her subtle mannerisms. The nanosecond her grin freezes in place. The brief dullness that flashes in her eyes. She reaches for the belt of her kimono and clenches the fabric the same time that Hanada-shi squeezes her shoulder. The gesture is not of a father hugging her daughter; it is a threat. And Midoriya is totally unaware of the danger he is putting her in.

I have to tell him to tread carefully, but how? There is a gap between us covered by a few strangers. But there is Bakugou. He is much closer to me than Midoriya. I call out his name. A few hisses later, his attention is on me.

"What do you want?" I pull his arm and drag him out of the line, only to make him take the spot in front of me. The guest behind me lets out an annoyed sound, but I pay no mind. Bakugou is equally, if not more, irritated. "What did you do that for?"

"I don't have time to explain, but please refrain from doing what Midoriya did. Don't try to be familiar with her." He gives me a dubious expression, demanding an explanation for my seemingly irrational desire. "Just do what everyone else has been doing. If her father asks questions, please do not insinuate any sort of relationship between you and her."

I'm gracious that he chooses not to fight me on this. "You better have a damn good reason once I'm done," he warns.

Midoriya leaves, and the next person takes his place. Slowly, Bakugou's turn comes.

A beat passes. He observes something I cannot.

"I offer my condolences," he says. Good. The standard respect everyone has been giving. Though he said it emotionlessly, it is nothing risky.

"Wait!" Hanada-shi stops him. My alertness senses ring like sirens. If only everything could proceed as planned. "Last summer, you were abducted by the League of Villains with Selene, right?"

Bakugou scowls a little at the reminder. "I was."

Hanada-shi's hold on Selene tightens. "I see," he says as if this is novel information. "Rest assured, everyone is fighting to prevent another incident from happening."

"Whatever you say," Bakugou cannot help but mutter.

He moves quickly, and I replace his spot immediately. Now I understand why the two of them stalled momentarily. The pearl necklace is to draw attention away from the ring of band-aids around her neck. Despite the makeup, dark circles peek out below her eyes. There is a band-aid on the bridge of her nose, too. She removes her glasses to adjust them properly.

It is then that she meets my stare.

Oh, how I've missed that liquid silver glow.

Midoriya hesitated one second; Bakugou paused for two seconds. I do not keep count of how long I remain quiet. I came here so I could speak to her. Comfort her. But now that I am seeing her in front of me, without bandages, on her two feet … all I am capable of doing is discerning how many psychological scars surpass her physical ones.

Selene is the one to break the silence. "Hello, Todoroki-kun. Did you have a pleasant journey on the way here?"

My mind fixates on the greeting. Todoroki-kun. She has not called me by that name in forever. My stare falls to Hanada-shi's hand. None of the tension has eased. He must have informed her of my ignorant mistake. I will play along if it means she isn't hurt.

"Hi, Hanada-chan." Our relationship has developed beyond the point of attaching surnames and honorifics. Yet it feels nostalgic to remember the happy memories from back then. "You must be grieving terribly."

She looks down before returning her gaze to me and gives a melancholic smirk. "Yes. Thank you for coming. I'm sure you must have been busy."

"Yes," Hanada-shi interrupts. "I heard that your work-study was at your father's agency. Being the Number One hero's son, you ought to have many responsibilities. Speaking of which, where is your father?"

"He is here, too. You'll see him soon enough," I reply.

"That's good." He looks at Selene. "You have such a good friend. He came to visit you in the hospital, and now he has come to comfort you." This time, he presses her shoulder so hard, she lets out an involuntary squeal.

Selene covers it with a delicate cough. "Once again, thank you for all your consideration." Still, her voice breaks at the end. The precarious balance is already broken. I begin to tell him to stop it, but her pleading eyes catch my attention. Don't, they tell me. Please. Just for now.

I swallow. Again, I am reminded that the repercussions of my actions will impact her.

After giving one more pleasantry, I have to force myself not to reach for Selene and pull her away from Hanada-shi. It takes everything inside me to walk away.

After signing my name in the registry, I put my okoden in a tray. Bakugou and Midoriya have already saved a seat for me. Not close to the front of the funeral service, but not too far back where we cannot see anything. As the remaining guests filter through, Bakugou demands for an answer to my bout earlier. I debate what I should and should not tell him. After all, discussing Selene's abuse is only her right. Finally, I come to a decision. I tell him that if Hanada-shi figured out that any of us had a relationship that extended beyond classmates, he would target us to pursue his heroism business venture. That is the safest thing I can tell him.

Midoriya listens, too. His face turns red when he realizes the blunder he committed. "It's okay," I say. "Just don't do it next time."

"Is that why she was so distant with us all this time?" he asks. "I mean, everyone in class are friends now. We get along fine and are pumped out about all sorts of activities. But Hanada is reserved, and she avoids group activities. Is this her way of looking out for us?"

Bakugou counters, "But she gets along with Icy Hot, just fine. So that's only part of the reason. You have to remember she is not from the same socioeconomic class as us. She's wealthier than Yaoyorozou. Damn! Rich!" His glances dart around the elaborate hall to emphasize his point.

Both of them look at me for affirmation. "Bakugou's right," I sigh after a bated breath. "There is more to it than that. But that is her place to reveal or conceal."

Midoriya, being his inquisitive self, wants to press further, but I silence him with a pat to the shoulder. He takes the cue.

The ceremony begins. A Buddhist priest stands at the front, facing everyone. He recites sutras in Old Japanese. One by one, the attendees are invited to the altars to say our prayers and light incense. My turn comes, too. I lift one of the sticks with my right hand and light it with one of the many candles. Using my left hand to put out the flame, I set the incense upright in the burner. The aroma coagulates with the tens of other incense sticks. I repeat this two more times for two more deceased.

Some hours later, the funeral ends. Night has fallen, and the light from the garden lights stream through the windows.

Hanada-shi goes down a corridor by himself. Selene is left alone to distribute gifts in return for the okoden.

This is my chance!

She and some servants pass out goodies of designer handkerchiefs and packets of salt. In Japan, the term defilement refers to sickness and death. Salt is believed to be purification. Each guest is expected to toss a pinch over both shoulders upon arrival at home. The salt will purify the body of the impurity of death and disease.

"You guys said you would help me sneak in a conversation with her." I look at Bakugou and Midoriya. "Can you keep watch on Hanada-shi?"

Bakugou raises an eyebrow at my word choice of giving respect, but I do not offer an explanation to that. Midoriya tugs on his arm, and both hover around the corridor.

I make my move now. Swerving left and right around the people, I cover the distance between me and Selene. She treats me the same as she did with everyone else: another expression of gratitude and a gift.

"Could we-" is all that leaves my mouth before people start jostling me for taking too much time. Somehow, I stumble far away from her. Another shove makes me lose my grip on the gift.

I bend down to collect the handkerchief and pouch. Immediately, I notice something hard peek out of the folds of the cloth. Snatching it with everything else, I go in the direction of Bakugou and Midoriya. "Restroom. Now," I order.

Once inside one, Bakugou locks the door. I open the handkerchief, which reveals a note. It is Selene's handwriting.

Forgive me for this pretense.

My circumstances are such.

I know you want the truth.

Meet me by the skating rink.

Midoriya opens his phone, searching for the locations of the nearest skating rinks. They are more than half an hour away by foot. Bakugou is incredulous why she would ask us to go somewhere that far away just to get answers.

But I still in place. Selene does not mean an actual skating rink. She does not even know how to skate. So there is only place she must be referring to: the lake in the vicinity of the Hanada mansion. The place where we celebrated my birthday last year together. Where she reignited my love for ice skating. Where I tried - and failed - to teach her.

"Guys, go with Dad. Tell him that I'm staying behind." Both of them begin to protest for a good reason. But this is a secret I do not want to share with them. "Look, I know which place she is talking about. Hanada-shi is already suspicious of us, so it's best I go by myself and confront her. Promise to share what I learn, okay."

It takes more convincing to get them to agree. They sit inside Dad's car the same time most of the other guests prepare to leave. Most. Somewhere in this manor, conspiratorial discussions between a monster and other monsters are taking place. I learn that Dad was invited to stay behind. With a firm nod toward my friends, I usher them to have patience.

I input the directions toward the lake.

The security guards check my ID and let me pass through.

There is a bitter chill in the night air.

I light a small fire in my palm.

A manifestation of warmth and determination.

No matter what, I will have a proper conversation with Selene tonight.

Citation:

"We meet fear. We greet the unexpected visitor and listen to what he has to tell us. When fear arrives, something is about to happen." - Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo