Over the Top

by papireaz

When I died, I expected a few manga volumes. Maybe to learn what the One Piece is. Instead, I found myself in a world that I recognised, a story I had read and what's worse was that it was a story I had no interest in wanting to involve myself in! Then and again, the offer to become a Hero is far too tempting...

61. Issue 59

Save Your Tears - The Weeknd.

---

"You were my idol, my goal,

How can I reach you now?"

---

Bitter.

That's what the tea on the train ride home tasted like, the storm clouding the skies considerably as rain smacked against the windows constantly, not relenting for even one second. And man was the ride itself silent and sunken. I couldn't blame anyone for not wanting to talk - Kodai was asleep while Monoma was texting Yui, his girlfriend with a frown on his face.

Mina and Midnight sat opposite each other, staring outside the window in a contemplative silence. Who could blame them? It felt like even though we solved a case, what did it even mean after the news.

After finding out that All Might was dead.

I didn't even know how to really feel about the whole thing.

And Izuku?

It was clear that he had taken the news the hardest. He was hunched over, his hands supporting his head so that it didn't roll over the floor if it snapped off with the sudden jerks the train made, which weren't helping with the mood either. He hadn't spoken a word since that headline. It wasn't surprising considering the close relationship he and All Might had, and I even felt my throat get a little dry as I thought about the man.

He was my teacher.

Was.

It was harder to accept than I thought. All Might was such a big presence in all of our lives, that just opening any social media app bombarded me with posts about his death - The good and the bad. It was heightened by the fact that his agency didn't reveal what was the cause of his death, where he had been in the past year and a half since his disappearance after his fight with All For One or anything.

But one thing was clear for everyone to see.

What happens now?

"Sora…" I heard Izuku whisper to me. "He's gone."

"Yeah," I choked. "He's gone. It feels surreal, you know? All Might himself. You'd think he'd have died in a heroic last sacrifice, not on a random Sunday. I mean it's All Might. He's like the best hero to have ever lived, without him…"

What now?

Izuku understood what I was trying to say as our cart jerked slightly to the left, and the rain beating down on our window fell even heavier. Baddum. Baddum. Baddum. There was rain coming by the volumes, enough to fill a pool. The streak of lightning in the sky didn't help to add much to the mood, nor did its sound a few seconds later. I sighed, reaching deep in my bag as I found what I was looking for.

"Eat," I told him, throwing a burger at his face. "You'll feel better."

"...He's gone."

"And starving yourself isn't going to bring him back. Yeah, All Might is dead but that's no reason to starve yourself. Everyone's lost someone before," My eyes softened as Izuku turned his head to look at me. His eyes were red and puffy. "Everyone else thinks it's numbness, but it's not. It's the shock of it all that occupies your mind. You keep replaying the last moment you saw them alive in your head, over and over. And you wonder what you could have done to change things. That's grief for you. So shut up and eat or else I'll force you to eat through a straw."

"You don't know, do you?"

"Know… what?"

"All Might was in a coma this entire time. From all the way when he fought All For One to… well to his death," Izuku whispered to me. "I always found it strange. You remember it too, right? All Might was fine before that fight, in fact, he wasn't even that badly damaged in the fight. But for some reason, he just wouldn't wake up. For some reason he was in a coma."

I nodded in response.

"Huh... you mean when All Might killed All For One on live TV? Yeah. Hard to forget that gruesome moment was televised, especially when All For One got his chest caved in," I admitted. "But yeah. It does sound strange. Even back then, it was like All For One just stopped moving. I guess maybe the bastard wanted to die. That's the only reason I've got."

"...No. The autopsy showed something else entirely. Nezu shared it with me right after what happened," Izuku shook his head at me. "His nerves were fried. He paused because of that. And whatever happened to All For One transferred to All Might too. Because All Might was in a coma ever since, and somehow... I don't know how to League of Villains found out, but back during the Overhaul raid they taunted me about that information. Somehow, they knew it too."

Huh?!

"What? Dude…" I looked around to make sure no one was listening. "What are you trying to say? Alright, let's say whatever happened to All For One was transferred to All Might, that doesn't explain what happened to All For One. Maybe it was the backlash from all of his Quirks? Maybe... I don't know. But that doesn't explain how the League knew about All Might's coma."

"All Might had an injury. You know the injury I'm talking about," Izuku pointed to his stomach. "Doctors said it made his recovery that much harder. I always thought it was a last-ditch effort from All For Oneto get rid of All Might. That's what I believed at the time. But… I'm replaying the moment in my head, and it doesn't make sense. Both men were surprised at the outcome of the fight, both men were surprised at what was happening to their bodies and it feels so weird-,"

"That's your grief talking. You're making it sound more complex than it probably is, Midoriya. Eat. And sleep. You'll feel better and you won't think of these crackpot theories," I told him. Thankfully, Izuku listened to my words and within minutes he fell fast asleep. I felt sorry for him, it probably wasn't easy to have your mentor die on you like that. "Damned idiot. You heard him, right? Going on about these theories... You'd think he were some big shot detective the way he was talking."

On my right, Setsuna Tokage nodded at me.

The rest of her group was in another compartment, but she decided to sit next to me anyway. Our train had stopped by Tokyo, the city which her group had visited and successfully completed their trip. And now we weren't far off from Musutafu, despite that Tokage seemed much more reserved than usual. She was deep in thought, and I knew largely where her thoughts were heading.

I just didn't want to say them in front of Midoriya.

"You thinking what I'm thinking? There's only one person that could have done that. And you know him better than I do," Tokage muttered, shrugging her shoulders as she took a fry from my box. "What do you think? Could he have… Do you think that he is even capable of it? I know he's killed people before, even those he worked with when they went in his way, but this is..."

I scoffed at her.

"I have no fuckin' clue. I want to say that Zero did this, that this was his plan all alone, but… for him to kill All For One? Why? What the hell does he gain from it? No resources, no extra help for the League? It's not just cutting off a benefactor, it's like cutting off their one chance at victory. His one chance to get what he wants. A way back home," I replied. "And Zero had nothing against All Might. It just doesn't make sense, you know. If he did kill both of them, what would be the point? I just-, It goes against everything he had been saying beforehand, you know."

Tokage shrugged her shoulders in response.

"Maybe he has a plan or something. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe you don't understand him the way you thought you did. Either way, looking into it now is going to raise a lot of suspicions, I'm pretty sure they burned All For One's body ages ago. Incarcerated it and spread his ashes over some random bush somewhere," Tokage joked darkly. "It's a moot point. We'd have no leads and even if we did, this is pretty serious pie that the government, police and HPSC would love to dip their fingers into. Not to mention Endeavour and the rest of the independent Heroes."

"We?"

Tokage nodded.

"Yeah. We. Me and you. After all, when it comes to All For One, aren't we the people to go to? Doesn't it fall under our jurisdiction, especially if Zero is involved," Tokage replied. "We might not get another chance. You might not get another chance. I know that you have a raging hard-on to try and prove that you're stronger than him. If Midoriya has Shigiraki to beat, then Zero is your opponent."

"...There's no point in chasing ghosts. Like I said, it's a stupid theory. And Zero's... It's more complex than just a 'rivalry'. He's helped me countless of times before despite being a villain. What's more important is that I found a lead on Raiden," I told her. "He worked with the White Orchid Dragons of Sendai a few years back on some job. Maybe he would have done some work with the Yakuza in Musutafu. And that's a more important lead than All Might's death."

Tokage grunted in response, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Sleep. Mina told me you had a long day. Solved a good case?"

"I guess. What about you? Did anything useful apart from standing there looking like a hooker?"

Setsuna poked me in my ribs playfully, much to my annoyance.

"Oi. I'm a lot more useful than you. And I found someone… interesting. They were in Tokyo for a trip,but I'll tell you some other time. I'm a bit tired, so wake me up when we get back to Musutafu."

I nodded in response, watching her slowly drift into sleep before I leaned my head against my window and stared outside. It was ironic that the weather reflected all of our moods, ironic or simply fate. A storm was brewing, the sound of thunder boomed every now and then and all I could do was pray that when the storm hit, we'd at least be prepared.

But even if we weren't, hopefully we would survive.

And I didn't know what was worse.

The storm or not knowing when the storm would hit.

---

Chapter

Fifty

Nine

'The Cloudy Sky Brush'

---

Sighing, I lay down on my couch at home.

"Get up. Your fat arse is taking up my spot," Miwa called as she kicked my legs. I groaned in response, which only made her angrier. "I should call the police on you! Trespassing on my property! Get the fuck up you lazy fuck! Just because you don't have school for the rest of the week doesn't mean you can lazes about and hog the TV all day, some of us have shows they want to watch!"

"...You used the word fuck twice."

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Miwa took a slight pause to regain her breath, making me roll my eyes at her being dramatic as usual. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Get the fuck out of my seat!"

"What are you, autistic?"

"Maybe," Instead of waiting for me to move my legs, Miwa couldn't help but sit on my legs. Sigh. "But if I'm autistic, so are you."

"I'm not related to you."

"It was transmitted in the air, dumbass."

"How you're studying to be a doctor astounds me. Seriously. I think you have some form of brain damage, because you're so retarded it hurts," I told her. "Genuinely just commit seppuku."

Miwa pouted at me.

"You called me retarded…"

"And you swore like a sailor just a minute ago, really pushing the boundaries of censorship for this one, aren't ya'?"

"The only censorship here is the fact that I'm wearing clothes. I bet you'd like it if I got rid of my bra and drank all your beer though. Pretty sure you're a fan of Yottadere's. What a sick otaku I have for a brother," Miwa shook her head, flinging her hair backwards dramatically. "I wouldn't be surprised if you were a siscon too. Honestly, considering the fact that you're perverted gaze is set upon me, I shudder to think what your dirty mind is currently thinking of right now."

"It's thinking if I killed you, how would I dispose of your body?"

Miwa grinned at that.

"Haha! Got you! You just said you were thinking about my body!"

"...why do you have to bully me even at home? And what the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Because you're sitting in my seat. Do you know how many World Wars were declared over people sitting in the wrong seats?" Miwa asked me as she kicked me playfully in my chest. It was comical as she took my seat, and I could only roll my eyes at her antics. "Hehe, got my seat back! You know, for a Hero, you're pretty weak considering I just beat you up."

"You didn't beat me up."

"Uh, yeah I did."

"You didn't."

"You didn't answer my question! Do you know how many World Wars were declared over people sitting in the wrong seats?"

"...Two and a half?"

"Two and three quarters. Firstly, Archduke Franz Bird-With-Band had an eagle sitting in his car, making Germany declare war on America for the First World War. And then during the Second World War, Winston Church-On-Hill had Artist Shitler sit on his seat in an open gallery. Oh! And three-quarters come from the various other conflicts from three hundred years ago too!"

"'M pretty sure you got major history wrong there. But don't worry, history is not the strongest subject for you, so at least you tried," I sat up to pat her on the shoulders reassuringly. "I mean what good is history in science? Don't worry, you can't be good at everything like me. The superior sibling. I also don't read porn on the train. And I don't talk about lewd things with you."

"And that makes you boring! We're adults!"

"..."

Miwa pouted at me.

"If I can't talk to my brother about these things, who can I talk to then?"

"The Devil. You're going to hell, Miwa."

"For what?"

"Pre-marital sex-,"

"I've heard the rumours about you!" Miwa screamed at me in response. "Tokage and Jiro both messaged me saying that you were a massive manwhore. I don't believe it, but it would make sense considering before you went back to U.A. you spent so much time out at night and didn't come home till late..."

I sighed at that.

"Can we go back to talking about history? I'm tired of talking about love and romance and sex and whatever," I complained. "Why can't we go back to when we were kids where the conversations we had on whether we thought Xaruto was better than Kintama. Even now, Kintama is the superior series. But that's beside's the point, what were we even talking about before this?"

"History and why I'm so bad at it."

"Right. You want to be a doctor, so it doesn't even matter."

Miwa sarcastically agreed with me.

"Exactly! Who cares about the medical history of a patient, just chuck whatever sounds good to them and make them sign a waiver. Isn't that how they got Michelle Rack-Some-Kids?"

…

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You know—that famous Musician from the 1900s. Silly Jean. Nail-Biter. The Rack-Some-Kids Five?" Miwa asked me. I simply shook my head in response, I had no idea what she was talking about. "You know! The guy Lil Smith played in that old documentary film! Er, I can't remember the name of it. Damn it."

"Miwa, what are you talking about?"

She scratched her head at me.

"I… don't actually know. Maybe that's why I failed my 1900s to 2000s pop-culture unit in History class," Miwa winked at me. "Anyways, can you get up? Sitting on your feet is hurting my fat ass. Even though I reclaimed my seat, your feet are edging closer toward my deluxe buttocks."

I chuckled at that.

"Fat arse? Oh God. If you ever say that again I will kill you and stuff you in a locker."

"Why? Don't be sad that you wish you dated a girl like me," Miwa said as she tried to flaunt her 'assets'. Key word: tried. "You know it's not like I'm an innocent girl-,"

"Stop talking," I cut her off, placing my hand on her mouth. "I thought I said to move on from this conversation. I'd rather not hear about whatever dirty paedophile defiled my innocent little sister. Because my innocent little sister has done nothing lewd of the sorts, and I don't want any images of that in my mind-, Oh you fucking bitch!"

"What?" Miwa asked me in confusion, folding her arms in protest. "Just because I've slept with-,"

"You're seventeen!"

"Nearly eighteen. And so are you. And one of us is a virgin, and it definitely isn't me despite the rumours," Miwa said with a smile on her face. "If you want, I could totally hook you up with one of the slags in my school. Really, it would be so easy."

"No thanks. Well…" I paused to think about it for a moment.

What about Jiro?

I still liked her.

But she has been dating Kaminari for over a year now. Huh. Fuck. Wait, have they-,

"How willing will these girls be to enter roleplay?" I asked sincerely. "If I ask them to dress up and pretend to be someone else, will they say yes? Specifically anime characters."

"Depends on who."

Hm…

"I'm going to have to refuse your offer," I told her with a grin. "While it's tempting, I do want my first time to be special. Jokes aside, I don't want to rush into anything. Especially when I don't want it. And as for the rumours that I'm a manwhore... no comment."

Miwa shrugged her shoulders at me.

"Suit yourself. I just thought with All Might dying you'd want to empty your balls into a girl to relieve some stress," I winced as she used those words in that specific order. How was a girl that dirty allowed to be my sister? "I mean it feels good being filled up too-,"

"Just shut up already," I said, turning on the TV. "Seriously. If you say another thing alluding to your 'exploits' I'm going to fucking lose it. Wait…" I turned back to look at Miwa, then back at her tummy. "Is it just me, or have you gotten bigger?"

"...I'm not pregnant."

Hm.

"Just making sure your eggs aren't ovulating. I'd hate to be an uncle at seventeen."

"Why?"

"Well, I won't have enough money to spoil the kid rotten. I want my nephew, or niece, to be nice and plump. A fat baby. One which I can mock and buy food for, watching them eat so I can talk even more shit about the baby with my other adult friends," I told her wistfully. It was my dream after all. "And I can't wait to feed the gremlins vodka under the guise of 'special water.' Think about how funny it'll be when they get drunk?"

"You're a horrible person."

"Says the walking teen pregnancy."

"I use protection!"

I covered my ears as she said that.

"LALALALA! NOT LISTENING!" I yelled loudly.

Miwa growled as she grabbed me by the shoulders and started to shake me violently, but my yelling only grew louder and louder. Sadly, our fun was interrupted when our parents stormed into the living room looking far more gross than that time I got drunk and threw up on the dining table.

"What on Earth are you two doing?! Half of the China Sea could hear you?!" Our mother chided us. "Hello? Are you going to answer me, or do you want me to kick you out of the house for a few hours so you can shut up finally?"

"...Sorry."

"Yeah, sorry Mum. Just tell this lazy dumbass to get up and stop being selfish," Miwa huffed out. Eventually, I relented and stopped taking all the space on the couch, allowing her to properly sit down. "Do you know when you're supposed to go back to school?" Miwa asked me curiously.

I shook my head in response.

Ever since All Might's death, U.A. had been in lockdown. It was strange to see everything unfold the way it did, especially considering Nezu knew something. As did Izuku as he had practically gone into hiding ever since the announcement of All Might's passing.

"I don't know," I replied honestly. "I think we're waiting for the funeral to pass before school starts again. It's happening on the sixteenth I think. Or maybe the fifteenth. Technically, he was one of our teachers. Feels weird to know I'll never be chided by him again for skipping lessons. I'm gonna' go back to live in the dorms by the end of the week though."

"Or smoking during his lessons."

"Actually, I started to smoke after he took his sabbatical," I corrected Miwa with a smirk. "And anyway, I doubt he would have said shit to me for smoking. He always had a soft spot for me. Think it was because I was an orphan, or because I had light blue hair. A shame he can't see how far I've developed. Would have been nice to hear him say 'well done, Yamazaki-boy!' one final time."

Miwa snorted as she rolled her eyes at me.

But before I could hear her snarky reply, the doorbell rang.

Who would be ringing at this time?

I scratched the back of my neck as I got up from my couch and walked slowly to the front door, passing the mirror on the way there as I looked at what I was wearing. Blue shorts, a grey top and some socks. Hm. My hair was a little messier than usual, so I grabbed a black beanie and put it on before I opened the door and was surprised to see her.

"Sora~" Nejire sang as she jumped at me like a little kid, the two of us tumbling on the floor. What was more annoying was the fact that Nejire had no awareness whatsoever, so when she landed on me with her breasts suffocating me I wanted to scream and call for help. "Eh? What are you doing on the floor?" She asked me as if she hadn't just tackled me.

"S-Sora?! I didn't know you had a girlfriend."

I groaned at Miwa's voice.

"Nejire is like my older sister. Please, don't-,"

But instead of pacifying Miwa, my words had just lit a fire under her.

"Oh? I always knew you had a siscon streak, but not for the older ones. By all means, continue being a degenerate," Miwa teased me. "But seriously - Get the fuck up. If Mum and Gekko see you, they'll be pissed. It's cold and you're going to let some snow in. Even though it's not snowing. I meant the rain, shit, how could I forget the rain? I blame you and your stupid brain cells, Sora."

"Gekko? Like a lizard?" Nejire asked in confusion as she got up from the floor.

"Nah. My Dad," I replied, shutting the front door. "Miwa and I are adopted."

"So why don't you call Gekko your dad then?" Nejire asked as she tilted her head at Miwa. "If he raised you, doesn't that make him your Dad?" Fortunately, Miwa didn't fly off the handle as she usually did.

"...Nothing against Gekko, he's a really good father. It's just that I still remember my Dad," Miwa replied with a sad smile on her face. "Even if I'm adopted, that's never going to change. Doesn't help that Gekko's practically my Uncle."

Huh?

That was the first I've ever heard of this.

"Oh, right! You don't know, do you?" Miwa asked me. "Haha. Hinata and Gekko adopted me when I was younger than they got you, it's because they knew my birth father and mother since they were kids. Gekko and Hinata grew up with them, and Gekko is my Godfather. But it feels weird calling him Uncle when I live with him, and it feels even weirder calling him Dad, so I call him Gekko. Hehe."

"...I see. That makes sense," I nodded in understanding, before turning around to glare at Nejire who was listening to Miwa intently. "You still haven't explained what you're doing in my house though. Shoo! I don't want you or your craziness in my house!"

"Aww," Nejire pouted. "Aren't we partners? I thought we were going to be together forever?"

"Stop saying things that make it seem like we're dating!" I snapped at her, smacking the back of her head lightly. "Jeez. You do know I'm still seventeen, right? You could get in a lot of trouble for insinuating things like that."

"Insinuating things like what?" Nejire asked me, her finger stroking her chin as she appeared to be deep in thought. "Oh!" She bawled her hand into a fist, smacking it against her other hand. "That we're friends? But we're more than that! You love me and I love you!"

Miwa giggled and I grumbled in response.

This was the worst possible outcome.

I could deal with Miwa and Nejire separately, but together? It was like I was Oppenheimer and I realised just what a weapon I had unleashed on the world. I've become Death, the destroyer of sanity.

"Let's… take it to my room," I told Njeire, ignoring the thumbs up Miwa gave us. "I assume you came here for work?"

Nejire nodded in response.

"All right. Miwa, tell Mum and Dad that I'll eat food later. And no, I'm not eating fish. Bitch."

Nejire followed me to my room where I locked it shut and opened my window, reaching out for my cigarettes as I lit one up and began to smoke. Nejire sat down on my chair that could be spun around and looked like she was having a mighty fun time until she became so dizzy that she fell on the floor.

"Sorry," Nejire apologised, jumping on my bed. "I guess it feels good to have a home to go to sometimes."

"You don't have one?"

"It's not that I don't have one - Mine's in Akita. I can't exactly go home and visit my family often, especially when this city and U.A. is in south Shizuoka. The shortest train is still four and a half hours long," Nejire told me. "I practically moved out of my tiny town when I was fifteen. I came to the big city and shared an apartment with Mirio and Tamaki since their homes are also a few hours away from here by train."

"So that's how you all became friends…"

"Yeah," Nejire nodded in nostalgia. "We all bonded over the fact that we were a while away away from home and the support we had there. Giving it our all so that the journey to even get here wasn't for nothing, that's how we became the 'Big Three'. Even if in the end it broke us all apart."

"If you don't mind me asking, how is Mirio's family?"

Nejire actually cracked a smile at that.

"Good. They mourned Mirio but they got over it by smiling, it's what Mirio would have wanted. You know there are days where I wake up and it feels like he's still here, watching over me," Nejire explained. "But then I realise I'm just an idiot."

"...I think it's nice to believe in things like that," I replied, chucking my cigarette outside my window. "That everyone we meet is bonded permanently. Even through death. It's something even I'd want to believe. So no, you're not an idiot."

"Thanks," Nejire whispered. "But I'm not here to discuss that. You made a big mess in Sendai, you know that, right?" I snorted at her, reaching out for my second cigarette.

"You don't think I know that already? I don't care. I solved the case and even Nanao said she was fine with handling the rest of it for me," I replied, taking a long drag out of my cigarette. "But you mean the Yakuza, don't you?"

Nejire nodded.

"You basically said no to helping them. No one's recovered the weapons that were stolen," Nejire explained. "There's been some talk in the underworld. Those weapons might be the start of something, because of you."

I exhaled loudly, shaking my head at her.

"Nah. I'll just be the excuse they need to start something, which I'm fine with. It means I get to stick my nose into the Yakuza of this town and get what I want," I grinned at her. "And yeah, you're my partner. But isn't this supposed to be a group? I thought we were going to get more members than just two."

"Well, I've been looking to hire some members. Remember, you're the leader and I'm like the first mate! But Detective Nanao Iori is our boss, so I think we need two more people. Someone to help us run the technological side of things, and someone to be like, I don't know, our mascot?"

"I thought you were the mascot."

"But I'm a human!"

I sighed heavily at that.

"You…Ugh. Let me handle everything, you just focus on doing good work, alright? I'll speak to the Yakuza groups soon. I have a link to the Take Borei Ikka-," Nejire winced as she shook her head at me.

"They aren't a clan anymore," She told me. "Didn't you know? Ever since the Shie Hassakai raid, they changed their name to the Tatsuya Clan and absorbed all the other smaller Yakuza gangs in the city."

EH?

"W-w-what? Uh… well I still should have a link with them."

Nejire shrugged her shoulders in response.

"What's your case anyways? The private one you don't like to share any details about."

"I'm looking for my older brother," I explained to her. "I found out that he worked with the Yakuza in Sendai a few years back. Hopefully, he would have worked here in this city too. If there's a trail, maybe I can find him."

Nejire nodded in response.

"Sweet. Is that it?"

"Nah. Got a few other questions too. In Sendai, well, I heard a gang war was brewing up across Japan. And if one starts, it'll be this city that gets the worst of it when Kanto and Kansai decide to take over our region. I refuse to let that happen."

"Even if you have to work with the Yakuza? Doesn't that go against what you believe in?"

"I'm not going to help them hurt innocents. But not every Yakuza group does that," I replied. "It's naive to think that, especially when the Take Borei Ikkai used to be a contact, Aizawa used to help keep the streets clean. Just like how there are good and bad heroes, there are also good and bad Yakuza. I'm not green anymore that I won't be able to tell the difference."

Nejire rolled her eyes in response.

"As always, surprising me even at the last second."

"What can I say? I like surprises."

---

I yawned as I looked at the date.

Ninth of February.

A Sunday.

"Hello, how may I help you today, sir?"

U.A. wasn't due to start up again until tomorrow, which meant I had a free day today. Despite that, I was practically still at 'work' considering I was wearing my costume with my sword strapped to my waist, much like a 'samurai'. I rubbed the back of my head as I stared at the receptionist who looked up at me in confusion.

"I need to speak with… Uh… hold on," I fiddled around in my pockets before grasping the piece of paper Nanao had hastily written for me. "I'd like to meet with the head of Tastuya & Co."

"S-Sir?"

I ignored the receptionist's shock as I stared up at the large imposing building I was currently in. The tallest building in not just Musutafu, but all of Japan. The Millenium Spire. And it was a spire, twisting all the way around multiple times with each floor, it was a sight to behold. Standing in all its glory it certainly was the pride and joy of my city after everything it had gone through just a year ago - An event that helped to speed up the construction of this place that had plateaued for years.

With over sixty floors it wasn't hard to see why many banks, businesses, shops and restaurants used this place as their hub - With the first two floors dedicated to being a shopping centre, the next two floors for restaurants and a large cinema while the rest were filled with various large banks both national and international as well as businesses. Including Tatsuya & Co, a front for the recently formed Tatsuya Clan.

"Sir, Tatsuya & Co is requesting to know your name-,"

I winked at the receptionist, slyly showing her my detective badge. Shit. I forgot to add it to my jacket properly-, Argh! I forgot to do that!

"Sorry," I apologised as I rummaged around my pockets once more, eventually finding my badge as I showed it to the receptionist with a smile. "I have a problem with being organised. Somewhat."

It didn't take long for me to be sent up to the fifty-fifth floor, which wasn't just the floor on which Tatsuya & Co. resided - They owned the entire floor as I was told. I waited patiently in the elevator as it took me all the way up to their floor, the city of Musutafu - my home - growing smaller and smaller by the second. I had never been this high up in the air before, outside of aeroplanes when I was a small child in another life.

"Fifty-fifth floor."

As the doors opened, I instinctively wrapped my hands around the handle of my chokuto. I wasn't going to take any chances. Yet instead of a bunch of angry Yakuza waiting for me, it was just one. It was undeniable coming from the sneer on the man's face, his bleached hair, earrings and even the way he dressed.

"Detective Yamazaki, I presume? Yuuya Hinode. I'll be the one taking you to the Boss', got any problems with that, pig?" I sighed as I looked up and down at him, Yuuya didn't appear to be much older than me. I must have been taller only by a slight bit, however.

"Not at all. And the boss is Ryutaro-san, I presume?"

Yuuya didn't answer my question as I followed him through the floor. More and more members sized me up, but none of them were as outright antagonistic to me as Yuuya was, hell, some members even nodded at me with respect in their eyes. Eventually, Yuuya opened a set of doors into a lavish office with a familiar man standing at the window, overlooking the city.

"You can go now, Yuuya. Thank you for your work today."

"But Boss!" Yuuya glared at me. "He could-,"

"I'll be fine," Ryutaro replied. He looked the same as ever, nearly two heads taller than me with short grey hair and a beard to match his silver and red suit that looked more expensive than anything I had ever owned all combined. Yet that didn't stop him from grinning as soon as he saw me. "Detective Yamazaki isn't going to do anything to hurt me, will you now?"

I shook my head at him, amused.

"C'mon, that's more trouble than it's worth. Plus it's not like I can arrest you or anything, you haven't broken the law yet," I replied. "And to be honest, I couldn't really give less of a shit about what you do. As long as you aren't scamming or hurting anyone, just go about your daily business I guess."

"Haha! I knew I liked you from when we first met!" Ryutaro barked. "Yuuya. If there is anyone you can trust in this world, you can trust the man in front of you. 'Detective' Yamazaki and I go way back, even before you joined this place. He's a good man, one of the best in this city."

"Y-yes sir!" Yuuya replied. "I'll take my leave then."

As the door slammed shut, Ryutaro simply grinned at where he stood.

"Yuuya joined after the Shie Hassakai raid. Overhaul killed his entire family save for him," Ryutaro explained to me as he sat down at his desk. "Overhaul nearly killed him too. Until a certain Hero showed up to save the day… It's curious to me that Aozora was supposed to have died a year and two months ago, but he's standing in front of me. What are you, a ghost?"

I shook my head at him, snorting.

"A ghost? Do I really look that tacky?"

"Well, you wear a white overcoat, and boots, have a sword strapped to your waist, have messy brown hair, an ear piercing, smell of cigarettes and are trying to grow a beard. Either you're a ghost or a terrible vigilante," Ryutaro joked. "Detective, huh? The badge suits you. More than a mask ever did. I never thanked you by the way."

"And no one ever will," I replied, sitting down opposite him. "Is Eraserhead still…"

Ryutaro shook his head.

"No. I'm trying to go legit, Yamazaki."

"Sora," I told him. "And that's ironic. What's changed your heart?"

"You."

"Me?"

Ryutaro nodded in response, pouring both myself and him a glass of expensive whiskey. I thanked the man before taking a swig of the drink, enjoying the warm taste of it. Cinnamon spice-flavoured whiskey tastes nicer than I thought it would.

"The Take Borei Ikkai… it was a failure of an organisation. Compared to my predecessors, I was soft. I grew up in an era of peace, and as such I could afford to keep my gang sleeping restfully - Then Overhaul and his plans blasted everything to bits. His stupid gang war led to a lot of good men dying for no reason, then he broke the number one cardinal rule for any gang in Musutafu to follow."

"Which is?"

"Never bring civilians into the fold," Ryutaro answered me, shaking his head as he poured himself another glass of whiskey. "It's an old rule. Put into effect before any gang ever came up in Musutafu, when this place used to be a warzone that Kansai and Kanto gangs used to fight over. So many lives were lost back then. Not even the heroes could help since most were paid off to help either side and the government. They couldn't give a shit about a backwater place like this."

"It doesn't look like a backwater place to me," I replied. "Hell, I've never been to Kansai but from what I've seen of Tokyo, this city looks way better. But maybe that's my own bias towards my own city coming into play."

"Because it isn't a backwater place anymore," Ryutaro said, swivelling around his chair to face the city. Or half of it. "My predecessors of the Take Borei Ikkai - Even the founders of the Shie Hassakai - We all agreed to found our gangs to help this city flourish. Bit by bit, generation by generation, Musutafu became as it is currently seen. A hub for the economy that will soon surpass even Tokyo."

Huh?

"Why's that? Just because of one proxy tower doesn't mean that-,"

"Because this place is the breeding ground for new ideals. The new generation," Ryutaro cut me off. "Your generation. Yuuya's generation. The same generation our new Prime Minister Yamaguchi has hedged all her bets on. Change is supposedly coming, and this city is the heart of it. Whether you like it or not, Aozora and his 'sacrifice' wasn't just the end of Overhaul and the Shie Hassakai - It was the end of an era of peace. But it was also the beginning of something new."

"Like a revolution? Come on, there is no way Aozora's death was that important," I scoffed, rolling my eyes at him. "Most people forgot about Aozora three months after that whole ordeal. Let alone over a year. I doubt I had that much of an impact."

Surprisingly, Ryutaro smiled in response as he shook his head at me.

"I disagree. Your fight with Overhaul affected me," Ryutaro said. "A monster like Overhaul, someone that had broken every rule we humans limit ourselves to. And you stood up to him. I understand that perhaps you fought him for a different, more personal reason. Don't think I didn't notice your friend's name on that list of the deceased, but I also recognised that what you stood up for that day wasn't just heroics for the sake of heroics - You stood up for this city. It might have been the furthest thing from your mind at that moment, but the truth is undeniable."

…

"It made me realise that the Take Borei Ikkai was done. I disbanded it right after your fight with Overhaul, and all the money I had used went into the relief funds for the city. Unexpectedly, all my remaining men followed suit as they got jobs in construction, helping to rebuild what Overhaul took from us," Ryutaro explained to me. "And that's how Tatsuya & Co. was founded. I won't deny that I used this company to absorb any of the remaining gangs in Musutafu, but it's not for anything sinister. I just want to make sure I never have to see a young boy die for no reason ever again."

"I'm sorry, you know," I apologised to him. "As Aozora - I was a stupid brat. I'm still not happy that Heroes work with the Yakuza, allowing them to commit crimes and letting them go because it's the easy way. That's something I'll never agree with. But not every Yakuza hurts innocents, you can't group criminals into one category. That's something I've had to get over."

"Your friend's death, I take it? For what it's worth, I'm sorry," Ryutaro's eyes fell to the floor as he said that. Even if he never knew Denji, I could see that his death weighed heavily on his shoulders. They all did. "If it's any consolation, I made sure to see fit that whatever happens to his grandfather their family restaurant will remain open. I understand you worked there, yes?"

"...were you keeping tabs on me?"

Ryutaro grinned at that.

"Perhaps. 'Aozora dead'? As if you would die. I only met you a handful of times, but even I knew that someone like Overhaul would never have taken you down. And when Eraserhead showed up with that new apprentice of his, I knew in my heart that you were still alive," Ryutaro explained to me. "It took a little bit of digging, and I did destroy the evidence, but I found out all about you, Sora Yamazaki. I was glad to see you had settled into civilian life, but I'm more surprised that you came back into the fold."

"...I made a promise to someone. That I'd find someone and bring them back from whatever hell they are in. I won't break that promise, even if it kills me," I answered his question. "It's partly why I came here, actually. I have a few questions I want to ask you, and unlike last time I don't mind paying the cash."

Ryutaro nodded in understanding.

"I see. Like I said, technically speaking I'm not in with the underworld right now. I've left that life behind, sort of, but I can still dig up some information. Who are you looking for exactly? And please, do not pay me. This is a personal favour," Ryutaro said with a small smile on his face. "It would be poor form for me to try and charge the real Hero of Musutafu. More of a Hero than that fraud Death Arms ever will be."

"I'm looking for… Raiden Aotsuki."

Ryutaro's eyes widened at that.

"Raiden… Aotsuki… That's a name I haven't heard in years," Ryutaro whispered. "But why would you-, Of course! I looked into a Yukari Aotsuki for you back then, didn't I? Are they related?"

I nodded in response.

"Yeah. Mother and son."

"Ha. Fancy that. And what's your stake in this? You should know, Raiden Aotsuki was a serious player a few years back. Finding him won't be easy, and arresting him will be even more of a pain. I don't envy you one bit. But I have to ask, why?"

Smirking at him, I finished the rest of the whiskey he had kindly poured for me.

"Because he's my brother."

His reaction was comical, to say the least, his dark blue eyes looked like they were going to pop out from their sockets and roll over the floor any second. Not only that, but his jaw widened to the point where I thought it had become made of rubber of all things.

"B-B-Brother?!" Ryutaro yelled in surprise. "No fucking wonder you're so strong and stubborn. Your entire family is made up of monsters. Raiden Aotsuki wasn't just a famous criminal in the underworld, he wasn't an assassin per se, but if you paid him he did any job diligently. He was only about… two years older than you I'd say. Started out real young when he was eleven, but when he reached sixteen he just left."

"Think he's still alive?"

"Oh definitely. But Raiden is the boogeyman, he is impossibly strong. Brutal too. He worked with some of the best Yakuza groups around, the Tachibana group in Kansai as well as the Hogosha Akuma in Kanto. He even ran a few jobs for me here in Musutafu," Ryutaro revealed to me. "But he vanished without a single trace. It'll be hard to track him down. But I think you already know it wasn't going to be easy, didn't you?"

I nodded at him.

"Yeah. If he's as stubborn as me, I bet he'll refuse to even meet with me for a while. But I'll still find him. And I won't ask you to find him for me, just that if you find any leads just give 'em to me," I replied. "I can find him myself. I am a detective you know."

Ryutaro laughed at that.

"True. But that look in your eyes - You didn't come here just for that, did you?"

"...I went to Sendai recently. Before the whole thing with All Might even happened," I told him. "I had a job there. With the White Orchid Dragons. A case of a crate of weapons being stolen led to a chase across the city. Turns out that Toyota of all companies was helping manufacture experimental and powerful weapons and selling them to the Yakuza. Sendai was afraid of a gang war caused by Kansai."

Ryutaro's face darkened.

"...I cannot ease your concerns, Sora. I'm afraid that Sendai might be right," Ryutaro honestly told me. "It's a difficult situation. Kansai, more specifically the previously mentioned Tachibana group your brother ran a few jobs for, have grown restless over the years. Overhaul was the calm before the storm, if the Tachibana clan moves then so do Kanto's Hogoshoa Akuma. That's when the real gang war will start."

"Is it a guarantee?"

"Nothing in life is guaranteed, especially something as large as this. You don't understand, detective. The Shie Hassakai are nothing compared to the Tachibana group or even the Hogosha Akuma. They have members in the thousands, with enough money to throw whatever villain they want to hire at each other. Enough money to bribe even one or two Heroes into doing their bidding. I can't promise a gang war will happen, but I also can't promise that it won't."

I nodded in response, clicking my tongue in annoyance.

"And you haven't told Ai-, Eraserhead?"

"As I told you, I'm no longer an informant for Eraserhead. He's gone legit, or rather he dropped all the contacts he once had. You could chalk it up to your influence on the man," Ryutaro smiled at me. "The same influence you exerted over me. As I said, Aozora's earnest life swept the nation. You've impacted this world more than you think, and it's a damn shame no one has realised that."

"..."

"Detective. I understand that you may hold me responsible for the Shie Hassakai and their rise to power, Perhaps if I had been less laid-back and was more harsh, I could have nipped Overhaul and his plans before they grew uncontrollable, and for that, I wouldn't blame you," Ryutaro bowed his head down at me. "But I can clearly see that you don't want even more innocents to die. Even as a detective, you are putting your best foot forward to save as many lives as you can. Thank you!"

"Raise your head. Jeez, I'm doing this 'cause it's my job, not because I enjoy it that much," I rubbed the back of my head in embarrassment. "I can't promise to save everyone, but I'll save whoever I can save. And you're not that bad as well. As weird as it might sound, I do think something like your group can help this city. I know far too well how people my age can fall into the wrong crowd because of life, giving them a chance to do something about it is better than letting them die."

It was a question that I found myself asking.

Had Denji joined Ryutaro's gang, would he have turned out better?

If he hadn't idolised the Shie Hassakai for helping him, could he have lived?

"I guess, what I'm trying to say is that as long as you don't hurt innocents - which I doubt you'll do - working alongside you isn't the worst thing in the world. You're not a bad man, and I doubt any of the men you work under are bad people either, just kids who made a stupid decision once or had their lives ripped out from under them. I'm not blind. Heroes can't save everyone, and the police can't help everyone," I told him. "If we all want the world to be a better place, we're all going to have to build some bridges between us. Work together. At least that's how I see it."

"..."

Ryutaro was shocked.

I could see it for myself, I had completely stunned the man.

"...Ha…hahaha," Ryutaro couldn't stop laughing at my words. It was strange, the man clutched his belly as he laughed as much as he could. "Work together? That's the most outlandish idea I've ever heard. Heroes, police and even criminals. The fact that you think it's possible for that to even happen and are going out of your way to practice what you preach is... haha. But you should know that your brother - Raiden - was exactly the same. He said something once just like that."

Huh?

"He was just as much of a fool as you are. The bastard was only a kid yet he was so kind despite it all, even as he worked with the scum in society, he didn't stop trying to help others," Ryutaro said. "I always found it strange. But you? You're even more of a fool than he ever was. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I told you, that generation of yours is going to change the world."

I flushed red under that.

C-change the world?!

"Oh, come on. We're not that good," I rolled my eyes at Ryutaro and his silly words. "I doubt we could change this city, let alone the world. But I'll take your word for Raiden, I will find him one day."

"I don't doubt that you will."

I looked at the time.

"Ah, shit. I was supposed to go to a meeting with my boss twenty minutes ago," I yelled, scrambling to get up from my chair. "Wait! I'm going to need a way to contact you."

"Get Yuuya's number. He could learn a thing or two from you."

"You really believe in this Yuuya kid, don't you?"

Ryutaro laughed in response.

"Believe me, he's the only one I trust to succeed me. You should know that the only reason he joined this gang was because of Aozora. He couldn't be a hero so he thought he could protect this city this way," Ryutaro told me. "The kid has got guts. The same way you seemingly never give up. Another one of Raiden's traits you share. Something else your generation had that mine lacked. In the face of tragedy you'll stand up and fight while we sit back and prepare so that when it hits again, we're prepared."

I nodded at him.

"Alright, alright. Hh by the way before I forget, you wouldn't happen to have gotten an offer lately?"

"Offer?" Ryutaro tilted his head in confusion at me. "No. This company or I haven't gotten an offer from anyone. Why? Should I be worried about an offer? Even if I do get an offer, I'll turn it down. This is my company after all."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance but shrugged my shoulders. I guess the mystery benefactors for the weapons were still at large, and maybe that case would never be solved.

"No worries then."

---

School was boring.

"As such, we are committed to making sure that All Might is properly commemorated in our school. We will be snoring that each of you no matter the course will learn about All Might and his impact on history," Nezu droned on in the assembly. "In addition to that, both classes A and B will be attending All Might's funeral at the end of this month."

Huh.

"Any questions?"

As always, Momo Yaoyorozu's hand shot up in the air.

"Yes?"

"Sir, what should we do until then? In terms of our Heroics class. As I understand it, despite taking a sabbatical, All Might was still supposed to be our teacher. Will a new teacher replace him or will Aizawa-sensei continue to cover for him?"

"As of right now we have not hired a replacement for All Might, however, I am looking for a fresh and bright Hero to join the ranks of our staff," Nezu replied. "But Aizawa will continue to cover for the heroics class for Classes A and B as he has been doing for the past year and a half. Any more questions? Alright then, if you could all please head directly to your first period that would be great. Oh! And could Sora Yamazaki please stay behind? That's all."

Tokage shot me a funny look, as did the rest of Class B.

"What? I haven't done anything!"

"No one said you did," Tokage replied. "I'll make some notes for you. A nice little gift for when you come back after you get in trouble. Again. You and your delinquent behaviour…"

My brow twitched as she said that, but I didn't give in to her attempts to try and get a rise out of me.

I was better than that.

I didn't miss the looks Class A gave me either, but they were less because of what Nezu said and more so because of what they had recently found out about me. Primarily the truth of what happened that day as well as some of the reasons why I left their class the way I did. The fact was that the entire class wanted to talk to me, but I kept avoiding them like the plague.

Even if school was out for a week, I made sure to avoid them as much as possible.

I was thankful that Nejire allowed me to stay in our office for as long as I wanted because I had no doubt that some members of Class A would have knocked on my front door and demanded to see me.

"Sora," Nezu's voice broke me away from my thoughts. "Follow me please."

I didn't say anything as I followed the rat to his office and sat down opposite his messy desk, filled to the brim with bits and pieces of important papers and letters from not just all over Japan, but the world.

"Do you know why you are here?"

"'Cause of my smoking habit?" I asked. "I mean it's for my Quirk-,"

"Yes, yes, of course. But no, the real reason I called you in here is because of your most recent escapade. I heard your work in Sendai was beautifully done, Tadami sends his thanks," My eyes narrowed at Nezu as he said that. "You distrust me? Understandable, but you should give me the chance to explain myself."

"You sent us on a wild goose chase for no reason…"

"It had a purpose, I assure you," Nezu replied. "I wanted to snap Izuku Midoriya out of the funk he was in, so to speak. We need One For All's strength now more than ever. You see, the truth is that All Might died two months ago. However, the public and Midoriya were none the wiser. In fact, it was I who leaked the news to the press on purpose. If it wasn't for my actions, the world would still be under the impression that he was alive."

Huh?

My eyes narrowed as Nezu smirked at me.

"How-,"

"How was Midoriya in a funk? Because of you, of course. And how do I know that you know about One For All? Because I'm in on the secret. But you must be wondering how I think that you know all about One For All without being a spy for All For One, don't you? Well, it's thanks to your premonition Quirk. Do not fret, I don't think that you were ever a spy for the League."

"I prefer to call it Visions, but we'll meet in the middle, shall we? And I was trying to break Midoriya's stupid idea that he can endure everything. The fact that he helped criminals get away with crimes just so he could save more people, that's what his words basically confirmed. That's idiotic," I replied with a frown. "It's a far cry from the Midoriya I once knew, yet it makes perfect sense. He became so obsessed with becoming like All Might that he cheated his way to get their to compensate for his weaknesses."

"How so? I think Midoriya's ideals are perfectly suited to how our world functions. It's foolish to believe that everyone can be saved, wouldn't you agree? After all, Aozora couldn't save everyone during the Shie Hassakai raid. In life, one must be pragmatic or else the entire foundation of the world will crumble before your very feat," Nezu told me. "Ideals can only take you so far when faced with the truth of the world. Midoriya understand that sometimes, a Hero must do something unheroic for the sake of the world. Even if the world doesn't understand it at the time."

"...I refuse to accept that," I told him. "It's why I'm not a Hero, even if I'm on the Hero course. As a detective, I'll hold on to my ideals no matter what. But you should know that the case in Sendai led me on an interesting goose chase myself, one about the mystery benefactors of the weapons. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

Nezu smirked at me in response.

"I don't know. In fact, I sent you to Sendai because I wanted you to find out information on that specific topic," Nezu answered honestly, or if he was lying to me he kept his facade up. "But they covered their tracks well. I'm glad you picked up on them, I've been wondering who they were for a long time now. After all, Toyota wasn't the first company they've approached."

"Who are they?"

"I have no idea," Nezu said. "But as I previously said, this isn't their first appearance. No, it's likely that they have their feet in other businesses and organisations too. Bribery can get you very far in this life sadly. In fact, it's a case I specifically helped to found the Special Reinforcement Group for."

"What?!"

Nezu nodded in response.

"Heroes can't look into the matter, not when there hasn't been any use of Quirks. I've made you particularly aware of that fact recently. Right now, we need a detective in our corner. To do what us Heroes are legally stopped from doing. To ensure that the peace we've so desperately tried to protect for so long remains, that our systems are upheld no matter what."

"So this is just a game to you?"

"It benefits you too. After all, do you not have your own investigations? Aizawa might refuse to tell me, but don't think for a second that I won't find out what you are trying to investigate personally," Nezu told me. "Being a detective is more of use for you and me than being a Hero would. That's the truth. I simply want to clear this up with you."

"...why?"

"Because things aren't lining up. And with All Might's passing, life will certainly change. We are in the calm before the storm, Yamazaki. I'm simply preparing, building a strong foundation, so that when the storm comes we aren't all swept away by it," Nezu explained to me, stirring his tea. "I understand your apprehension, but humans are simple creatures. You survive, and you rebuild. I'm ensuring that the process remains. As well as finding out the truth for my own curiosity of course, but you shouldn't exert your influence on that class."

…!

"Excuse me?"

"I said you should keep away from Class A," Nezu warned me. "They are a crucial part of this board. As much as you might deny it, they are the knights. Shining brightly as they can move across the board together. But you? No, you're a rook. You help support Class A, but in no way are you an important piece, Sora. Your support can be negative to the development of Class A, you know. I think we both know that, history has shown that fact as clear as day, and I think Class A is starting to wake up to that fact."

"...You-,"

"Don't misunderstand me, I'm not telling you not to make up with them, in fact, it would be most beneficial for their development. But don't delude yourself into thinking you mean as much as they do in this board of life. You're a detective, reaching out for the truth dangling in front of you. A detective and a Hero have some overlaps, but they represent two very different things in our society. Class A is the shining light of our future, and you must help pave the way for them. That's your role."

I growled at Nezu.

"My role? I'm not going to let you control me-,"

"I never said I was going to control you. This is the role you've accepted yourself, Sora. Didn't you leave U.A. to allow Class A to flourish? Don't tell me you disagree with your plans back then, after everything that you sacrificed. This board isn't of my design, what you did as Aozora helped to form this board. This is the role you yourself wanted, no? To support Class A, but to not be in the limelight."

"I-, That's-, No. No," I replied, shaking my head at him. "I don't understand-, Wait, you fucking bastard! This is just a test!" Nezu's smirk unnerved me, but it at the very least confirmed my suspicions. "...Tsk. You gave me a scare there."

"Correct. You were a rook, back as Aozora. You helped to support Class A, but Aozora helped to break this board as did All For One's death," Nezu explained. "It's strange. You helped to transform both yourself as well as Class A into not just more important pieces on the new board, but the most important pieces. The King and the Queen. Class A is the King, the piece that decides whether we have won or not."

"Huh?"

Nezu sighed.

"You don't know chess, do you? Shall I use Shogi terms?"

"No, I understand chess fine. More than shogi anyways," I replied. "It's just you're not making much sense. How is Class A the king? And who's our opponent?"

"Society of course," Nezu said simply, as if it was common sense. "And Class A has been moulded into the King by internal and external factors. They hold a lot of power, and they can rally the board, but they can only move one square at a time. This is because of who they are, and what they've gone through but also because of the recent laws and the pressure they have to succeed. You, however, are the Queen."

"Why's that?"

"You are versatile, Sora. Because of your current decisions, the law doesn't apply to you in the same way it applies to them. You can investigate crimes with or without the use of a Quirk thanks to the fact that you are the only detective ever to hold a valid Hero licence, even if it is a provisional one. You are a student of the U.A. Hero course. At first, I thought Class A would be the most valuable piece, but surprisingly it is you."

"..."

"You and your relationships. A tentative friendship with the Prime Minister of this country? A close friendship with Setsuna Tokage, who I have no doubt will if the chance arises, leave this place to follow you even if you become something akin to a villain. And then of course Aizawa and his loyalty to you, he wouldn't sell you out even if you became a villain. I have no doubt that Aizawa would betray me and the rest of the heroes to protect you. And of course Class A - After what happened most recently, I doubt they would fight you."

"...What are you trying to say?"

"That for the other players on this board, you represent their Queen too. Or rather, you could. I've shown you how this world works, and the dangers that are starting to pop up. And there are many more pieces still accounted for, the dangers of the Yakuza, Stain and his cult with Yozora, the Shie Hassakai's scientist Azreal, these mysterious backers that you encountered and finally the League of Villains led by Shigiraki and Zero. I have no doubt that All Might's death will spur them all into action."

"So what? We'll deal with them like we always have."

"It won't be that simple, Sora," Nezu told me. "The law is starting to get in the way. And the public is starting to get sick of Heroes, of the corruption that you humans have spread. That law specifically came from the public's wishes to be heard, that's the society we are playing against. If we lose, imagine the chaos and order it could cause?"

"What are you trying to say?"

Nezu simply smiled at me.

"Haven't you figured it out? I'm saying a force out there wants to disband Heroes completely."

My eyes widened at that.

"That's-,!"

"Inane? I agree. This is why a piece like yourself is so valuable, but also so dangerous. After knowing what you know, you could very easily turn on us and think that heroes deserve to be disbanded. That the power we hold ultimately does more harm than good," Nezu explained. "And if that happens, what do you think will happen to Class A? To Setsuna Tokage? To Aizawa? You're a double-edged sword, one that could completely end this game. And everyone is starting to realise that."

I frowned at that.

"How?"

"I've had three offers from the HPSC recently regarding your transfer from U.A. to their agency," Nezu told me. "Also many government intelligence agencies offer you a request to join them. Many agencies from Endeavour to Gang Orca have also put in a request for you to work as a liaison with them, and this is just the beginning. Aozora may be dead, but detective Sora Yamazaki is far more important in this climate."

Tch.

"So what, you distrust me too?"

"Quite the opposite. I believe you to do what you believe is right, something you've always done," Nezu answered. "As much as you fit the mould of the Queen, I have to disagree. You're the wild card. And while Class A might be our King, they can become versatile. They can become our Queen. And that's because of you. You are aware of the failings made by Class A, aren't you? They limit the changes they can make themselves because they want to only endure."

I nodded at him sadly.

"Yeah. I want to change that," I told him, "Are you telling me that I should follow through with that? No, you don't care if I do that. So long as they still represent change, you're happy with whatever outcome. So what? You just want me to be myself?"

"You still aren't getting it. I called you in here not to tell you what your role is, but so you can find your own role," Nezu replied. "Reach out for the truth and make your own judgments. All Might's death has sped up our turn incalculably, and with our board being restricted more and more each turn, it'll be hard for us to come out unscathed. You could save us-,"

"I don't really care," I cut Nezu off, getting up from my seat as I put an unlit cigarette in my mouth. I could tell from Nezu's expression that I surprised him more than usual. "Listen, this all sounds complicated, and honestly? I couldn't give less of a shit. Life isn't a chess game, it's more complex than that. I'm gonna do what I've always done, and that's never going to change."

"I see…"

"Thanks for giving me the chance to come back here. And for helping me become a detective, but only I decide my fate," I told him with a smile. "And Class A gets to decide theirs. And you, yours. I've never cared for fighting for something like society or this country, I never have. I've always fought for the bonds I've forged throughout my life, and I always will. Thanks for the talk though. See ya'!"

I waved at Nezu as I shut his office door, only to be surprised to see Aizawa standing right outside with a massive grin on his face.

"...You were listening in, weren't you?"

"Of course," Aizawa told me. "You know Nezu still has plans for you, whether you like it or not."

"I know. But everyone always has plans when it comes to using me or even working around me. That doesn't change anything," I said to him. "It doesn't change what I want to do either, and what I will do."

Aizawa chuckled at that.

"I don't doubt it. Now come, I'm supposed to be teaching your class heroics."

"Can't I bunk?"

"Do you want detention?"

"Fine, fine."

---

…

"Hey Sora, can we talk? Not as the Vice-President of Class A, but as a fellow student!"

…

"Sora! Hey man, are you free right now? There's something I want to talk to you about, and I promise you it isn't about porn."

…

"Shitty cloud watcher! TALK! NOW!"

…

"Sora. Why are you avoiding us?"

"Huh?"

I was staring at the blue sky on the roof at U.A., a cigarette hanging loosely from my mouth as I tilted my head in confusion at Jiro. She had her hands on her hips as she studied me.

"I'm not ignoring you guys," I told her. "I've been busy. That's all."

"We've been back for a week now. You still haven't spoken to anyone in Class A… you can't avoid us forever. I know you don't want to have that conversation, but we can't clear the air so to speak until you open up," Jiro chided me. "We all need to move on. Don't make it any more painful."

"Move on? There's nothing to move on from. This isn't a conversation we need to have, it's actually quite simple," I told her in response, taking a long drag from my cigarette. "Just move on. Let it go. We have nothing more to discuss."

"Sora," Jiro emphasised my name. "...Fine. At least come to our Valentine's Day party. Everyone else is going. From Monoma and his girlfriend to Mei and even Tokage. You don't have to spend all your time sulking around and smoking."

"I don't sulk!"

"Then why do you love spending so much time up here?" Jiro asked me with a sly smirk on her face. "I know for a fact it isn't because you love the view or the breath of fresh air."

"I like it 'cause it's peaceful," I grumbled. "No one disturbs me. And Yui's coming all the way from Hokkaido? What a dumbass. Fine. I'll go, just tell me what time I have to go - And do I have to dress up?"

"Just wear whatever's comfy. And the party starts at our dorm at nine," Jiro answered. "Be there. Seriously. I know you think it's silly for any of us to say or feel this, but we all miss you. If that means even the littlest thing in that heart of yours, at the very least say hi. You don't have to ignore us."

"I said I'd come, woman! Don't push your luck!"

Kyoka Jiro giggled at my antics, and it felt weird.

Damn her… and her smile.

---

"Pour me another fucking shot!"

I barely gave Tokage enough time to pour the shot properly as I drank it all and asked for another. Blurgh. It was Vodka, and I hated Vodka. But it made the night bearable. Jiro wasn't lying when she said it was Valentine's Night, because most people had either gone with their partner or had invited someone to go with them.

It made me sick to my stomach.

Izuku had gone with Ochako, his girlfriend of course.

Bakugo and Mei were somehow dancing?!

Momo and Todoroki were having fun as well.

Mineta and Tsuyu were French kissing in the corner.

Kendo and Tetsutetsu were dancing ecstatically in the centre of Class A's living room.

Kirishima had dragged Mina away from the drinks table and began to try and chat her up, which was made funnier by the fact that Kirishima was so drunk that he was wearing his top the wrong way around.

And even Monoma and Yui, who had come down all the way from Hokkaido, had dressed up properly and were taking pictures everywhere.

It wasn't that I was jealous of them - I was happy to see that everyone was happy in a relationship. Even people like Sero who had gone with Pony, or Hagakure and Ojiro who were sitting comfortably together. Practically everyone in Classes A and B had either gone with each other or had brought someone with them.

Everyone but Setsuna and I.

Sniggering in the corner all alone, I watched as Setsuna had a whole bottle of Gin to herself. I sat down next to her with my empty shot glass, raising it up slightly as Setsuna filled it up for me.

By far the most infuriating couple in the room was Jiro and Kaminari.

They couldn't keep their hands off each other.

"You look like someone shat in your bed," Setsuna joked, taking a swig from her Gin bottle. "But I can't blame you. Jealousy is a bitch, right?"

"I-I-I'm not jealous," I stuttered out, refusing to meet her eyes or the sight of Jiro and Kaminari kissing passionately while everyone else cheered for them. "I'm just sick of the music being played. That's all."

Setsuna rolled her eyes at me.

"I hate all these happy couples," She admitted to me. "I know it makes me sound really sad, but I can't help it. I do want them to break up. I can't stand watching them have a happiness I know I can't have."

"Huh? You're not that bad."

"It's not that. I know that I am pretty, I mean I have a good body and face plus I'm in shape, I just also know my personality sucks," Setsuna said. "I also know I have so many fucking issues that even if I get in a relationship, I'll fuck it up. I have so much trauma from both lives that I can't even speak about it with someone I trust, let alone a boyfriend. I'm probably going to be single for the rest of my life."

"...You'll find someone," I told her confidently. "But I do understand what you mean. I guess I can't accept the fact that anyone can love me when I can't even love myself. That's bound to cause any problems with any girls I like."

Setsuna snorted at that.

"No, you just love a girl that doesn't love you back," She replied, elbowing my arm. "I don't blame you. Back then, you and her fit so well. Even now, I still think you two would make a good couple."

I shook my head at that.

"With how I am now? I'd probably break her heart even more. And that goes doubly for any other girl out there, I'm a selfish and reckless idiot who's slowly dying," I whispered, gulping down my shot of Gin. "Not to mention I'd never make her or anyone else happy. I'm not happy with myself, you know. Any relationship I'd get in will inevitably end in heartbreak, so there isn't a point for me anyways."

Setsuna poked my ribs as she simply stared at me in boredom.

"You're too negative sometimes."

"How could I not be negative when it comes to this?" I asked her. "In my last life I was too much of a class clown and a people pleaser to ever get a girlfriend. One week I was this person's punching bag, the next week I was tied with that person. And then this life? Man, I wasted the first twelve years of my life being a bully and hating others 'cause I was afraid. I don't know how to let people in."

"...Yeah. I get that too," Setsuna said, her eyes glued to the floor as she smiled sadly. "It feels like no matter what we do, we're always holding back. No one here knows who we truly are, you know, and they never will. I'm surprised you managed to hold on to Jiro for so long, especially when you constantly lied to her."

"And do you think I still wouldn't constantly lie to her? She doesn't know I'm dying. No one but you knows that. Class A just found out about what happened during the raid and the fact that I was All For One's 'experiment' and now they're looking to make a truce with me out of pity," I spat out in anger. "It annoys me, ya' know? I don't want their pity. 'Cause I refuse to look at my life as a tragedy."

"Why's that?"

"If I do, it'll mean to reject everyone that I've grown to care about. I'll be another hypocrite hating the world for the shitty hand I was dealt with instead of doing something about it," I said honestly, taking another shot of alcohol. "And that's the same as spitting on Yukari's sacrifice. I refuse to do that."

"...you look up to Yukari, don't you?"

"By all accounts, she ruined my life. Everything I have to blame in the world is because of her, but the reason I'm still not stuck being weak and helpless is because of her - The first time I met her as a baby she changed my life for the better, and the last time I met her she once again changed my entire life," I smiled in memory of Yukari. "I already have a mother, but Yukari… she still means a lot to me."

"I feel the same way about my Mum," Setsuna added. "I hate her guts. She experimented on so many kids for All For One, and even on me. From what Nanao told me, she was a crazy psychopath dedicated to science. Yet when All For One assassinated her, she didn't give me up for whatever reason. She decided to protect me, either so her experiment could live on or because she felt some emotion for her daughter. Whatever the reason, I'm thankful to her that I'm still alive."

"Shall we drink to shitty birth mothers?" I asked with a sly grin on my face.

"Cheers. I'll drink to that."

The two of us sat in silence as we drank the night away, watching as the party continued. Even as couples went to their rooms for 'sleep', Setsuna and I kept sitting in the corner of Class A's kitchen as we drank as much alcohol as we could, telling each other stories of our childhoods in this life. It was fun.

"Haha, is that so? I didn't know you were that bad as a kid," Setsuna wiped a tear from her cheek. "I guess I was also a brat as a kid. I wasn't a bully per se, but I was quite stubborn. The teachers always told me to eat this or that, and I never budged. You have hospital food for one lifetime and suddenly you become a picky eater."

"I miss my food from home," I admitted. "Japanese food is overrated. Sometimes I just want a steak pie, some mash and gravy. Or other times I want some cheese twists - or some bread and hummus? You know I eat bread with every meal, and everyone here looks at me like I'm some freak. I swear, European food is so uncommon here in Musutafu when in Tokyo it's massive."

"I know! It's my old culture too and yet having it here feels so wrong!" Setsuna agreed, bobbing her head to the catchy song playing in the background. "Sometimes I don't want ramen or sushi. I just want a beef moussaka. Is that so hard to ask?"

I snorted at her.

"Do you know how much I'd kill for a nice souvlaki wrap right now? It's been an entire lifetime since I last had one. Hell, I partly want to go back into Europe to taste one," I moaned. "I guess you came from Europe, too?"

Setsuna nodded at that.

"Yeah. You know, it feels weird. To speak about the past as if it matters," She said. "Because it's just memories. No one from those memories exists here, who we once were never even existed in this place. But for some reason those memories still tie us down, I know that one reason I can be an unlikable twat sometimes is because I never got the chance to go to school in my past life. I spent nineteen years in a hospital bed waiting for a terminal illness to finally end my suffering."

"...I got hit by a truck," I offered, causing Setsuna to burst out laughing.

"A truck?"

"Yeah," I nodded in embarrassment. "Right after school. More people filmed my death than called for an ambulance, which I guess makes sense as to why I started to resent people and became a bully. It's why I hate being a Hero, I just hate people like that. And this world is filled with cunts that would film someone dying rather than risking their life to try and help."

"Isn't that a natural response to everything though? Not everyone can be as fearless as you," Setsuna replied. "Like I said, we both have huge fucking issues. Seriously, imagine us trying to seriously date someone when we can't form meaningful relationships with anyone."

"Oi. I have a strong relationship with my family."

"Your friends are your family, and they are the ones you push away the most," Setsuna pointed out. "That part of you hasn't changed. The real reason you haven't told anyone but me and Aizawa that you're dying is because you're afraid, aren't you? Afraid of everyone treating you differently."

"...I'm not sick. My body falling apart will hurt, but there isn't a real treatment, at least not yet," I replied. "But I'll find one. Getting everyone else involved at this stage is just going to hurt them for no reason. Seriously, imagine my sister or anyone in Class A learning that shit? They'd freak the fuck out. My cigarettes would be gone, I'd never be allowed to be a detective or fight, and I'd be trapped. You get what I mean, right?"

"I do. Suddenly you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and everyone sees you as a liability, someone who's not going to be there for long. They think distancing themselves is for the better, but that's the worst feeling ever," Setsuna told me, rubbing her arm as she looked to be deep in thought. "...Feeling alone when you're dying. Knowing that no one is going to be there when you croak. I don't blame you one bit for not telling them. 'Cause that's how they'll treat you, and we both know it. Fucking assholes, the lot of them."

"Shall we drink to everyone being cunts?"

"Might as well. Cheers!"

Our glasses clinked with each other as we necked down our alcohol.

The only people outside of Tokage and I still left dancing were Monoma and Yui, as well as Kaminari and Jiro who were sitting on the couch, giggling about something. Kaminari had his arms wrapped around Jiro, who rested her head against his chest.

…Fuck.

"Jealous much?"

"Maybe," I admitted softly. "If it burns in my chest, what does that mean?"

"Why would you ask me what emotion you're feeling, idiot," Setsuna chided me. "Do you think I'm the best at this stuff? I barely know what I'm feeling on most days. Let alone how to describe each emotion. I've never been in a relationship before, I barely even knew my fucking parents. I didn't have a single friend outside of the books and series I watched, and do you know what's even more fucking worse? I let a doctor in his thirties fuck me! Granted I was nineteen and it was a week before I died, but still! DAMN IT!"

"...I thought it was another patient?"

"Please, as if I'd let a terminally ill person hit that."

"You're so drunk," I giggled, grabbing the bottle from her hands. "You didn't even have much, you lightweight. I bet you're a virgin, just like me! You're just too afraid to admit it. So you make up all these wild lies to make it seem like you're more mature than you actually are."

Setsuna flushed a bright red at that as she kicked me in my shins and tried reaching for the bottle I had grabbed from her.

"You have no proof! A-And I'll stab you if you say something like that again! Didn't you say it yourself? Don't stick it in crazy! So give me the fucking alcohol and maybe I won't cut you up into little pieces and feed you to your sister!" Setsuna threatened me, but she was so drunk she slurred it out. "Sora! Bakazaki! SOOORAAAAAA!"

Eventually, I relented.

"Thank you," Setsuna said before she took a large gulp from the bottle. "You know, I do want a boyfriend. Even with all my fucking issues. Isn't that fucked up? I'm jealous of others because I have so many issues that prevent me from being loved. You're the same. We're both two jealous fucks, aren't we?"

"Nu-uh," I wagged my finger at her. "We're better. 'Cause we're single, we can sleep around and have as much fun as we want. Even if I'll never do that. But I could! So doesn't that count for something?"

"You're right!" Setsuna agreed. "...I also won't sleep around. I'd feel too bad to do it, not that I'd ever admit that of course! But you know what? Fuck love. We don't need love! It's overrated anyways."

"Yeah! FUCK LOVE!"" I yelled, drawing the attention of everyone else in the room. Monoma and Yui looked at me both in confusion and humour, while Jiro simply stared at me with pity in her eyes. Kaminari had a soft smile on his lips, but for whatever reason I couldn't get a read on his eyes.

Weird.

"Sora, do you think maybe we drank too much?" Setsuna asked me. "I think I'm going to-," She didn't get to finish her sentence as she turned around and vomited in Class A's sink, much to Jiro and Kaminari's horror.

"Haha," I laughed at Setsuna. "Lightweight."

"I don't think you should be talking," Yui said as she sized me up. "You look like you can barely stand. Just how much did you drink anyway?"

"A lot."

"That doesn't narrow it down."

"I'll be fine," I waved her concern off, taking out one of my cigarettes as I lit it up. "I'll just have a smoke and I'll be fine-,"

"WAIT! SORA, THE FIRE ALARMS-,"

"Huh? The fire alarms were fine when I lived here-,"

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

My cigarette was instantly drowned by the water sprinklers, as was my hair. Jiro whined in response as Kaminari patted her head affectionately while Yui chuckled loudly. Thankfully, Monoma was helping Setsuna empty her stomach so she'd feel better in the morning. Slowly, but surely, everyone from Class A and even a few familiar faces came rushing downstairs half-dressed and very annoyed.

"Haha," I smiled at all of them sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head. "Uh, surprise?"

"Dude," Sero groaned. "I was totally rearranging Pony's insides-,"

"Okay, never say that again!" Mina kicked him in the stomach.

"You're disgusting," Mineta said. "At least refer to it as lovemaking, a sacred art form-,"

"Don't make it weird, kero," Tsuyu slapped the back of his head. "It's four a.m. Why did you have to set off the sprinklers? Now we have to wait for Aizawa to come and insert the key to stop the damn things."

I chuckled awkwardly.

"Uh… when did you replace the sprinklers?"

"A few months ago," Jiro replied, "You know, we can finally speak. About, er, you know."

I rolled my eyes at her.

"We don't need to speak about anything, seriously. I don't care," I answered honestly. "I've never cared. And I never will. I don't need your pity or your guilt. Your apologies don't do anything to me. The same way now that you guys know, no apology from me is ever going to do anything to you. Maybe it'll be nice to here, but we both have to reflect and change. That's the only way we'll get better. So, truce?"

"Truce?"

I sighed at that.

"...You know. I'll try and stop ignoring you all, and in turn, I guess you all try to stop treating me, uh, the way you have?" I was unsure of what I was saying at this point as I tried my hardest not to close my eyes. "I think that's what a truce means. Man, I'm drunk. Hey, make sure Setsuna's not choking on her vomit. We have another bottle to get through."

"You're not drinking anymore alcohol tonight."

"Oh, shut up. Like you can stop me. I love drinking!"

The way Jiro smiled hurt.

Especially when she was getting hugged by someone else.

"Are you sure about that? I'm willing to bet that everyone here loves you sober more than you love drinking."

"Yeah, yeah. Try me… Fuck love!"

---

You know, that final confrontation scene was going to be 2k words longer.

But I hated it.

Speaking about emotions and how they really feel, it's not Sora. It's not that he won't speak about how he's feeling, but he's never really blamed them and he's grown to a point where their words don't mean anything to him.

He can only change and be better, only he can forgive himself.

And I'm much happier with this lesser scene because I think it speaks more to the story at large. I think it's more cathartic to have these issues solved in fewer words and expanded on later on a more personal basis between characters because there is a greater understanding between Class A and Sora now instead of speaking more and more, showing greater conflicts that have already been explored.

Is it the end of their plotline?

No.

But it's as good as it can be after everything that's happened so far, and the plotline is still going to be resolved at some point in a much more cathartic way, that's more words, more epic and more emotional that definitively will resolve their issues - And it's not that far off from happening.

Until then, this is a little plaster that helps as both parties reflect and grow. A little plaster that goes to show the effect Sora has on people, and a little plaster that shows that perhaps everything is not fixed… Yet.

The next few chapters will be very different in tone though :)

EDIT: Just before I was going to update this chapter, it has come to my attention that Akira Toriyama the creator of Dragon Ball, Dr Slump and designer for Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger and many more franchises has died. This man was the leading factor as to why I love stories so much enough to write them, if it wasn't for his silly tale of Goku I don't know if I would have been into anime as much, or stories in general.

So, thank you Toriyama-sensei for your works and hopefully you Heaven is amazing for you! Rest in peace.