It has been a couple of months since Ippan took Izuku to the hospital and discovered his natural evolution. After that situation, she continued her job in Musutafu, dressed in her Hero Costume to ensure the safety of citizens.

Over the past few months, Ippan has become popular with many for her good deeds for the city when she saved lives or stopped Villains from committing the horrid and unthinkable. She's even become favorably popular with beachgoers and the Coast Guard from the times she rescued them from tsunamis, whirlpools, and water utilizing Villains, thanks to her Quirk.

As of now, Ippan was in the living room on a big chair with her best friends who were on the couch, holding her sleeping 6-month-old baby. They were focused on the laptop Shino was on, typing in before entering a website that displayed a Hero Rank Chart for...Well, Heroes.

"So? What are the results?" Ryuko asked jovially as Tomoko noticed the sleeping Izuku and quietly squealed from his adorableness.

"Well...No surprise, All Might is still No. 1 at the top of the board." Shino removed her gaze from the Symbol of Peace's status and scrolled down. "As for us, the Wild Wild Pussycats, we're ranked...No. 452..." She peered at their status for a second and shrugged. "Eh. It's a start, right?"

In response, Ragdoll nodded to Mandalay while Pixie Bob looked closer at the screen to see their trinity rank and grinned. "Yeah. Low rank isn't so bad, huh?" She looked at her friends, showing little care of what rank she was at now.

"Actually..."

Ryuko, Tomoko, and Ippan looked at Shino who scrolled back up the chart. "Ippan, you're rank is No. 250!" She announced smiling wide.

"Wait-"

"What?"

"Really!?" Ippan shouted quietly and carefully handed Tomoko her baby before getting up from her chair to have a closer look.

"No. 250 Hero: Sharkine..." Shino nods. "Yep, you're up there."

"Oh my..." Ippan looked in awe. "I-I can't believe it. I'm ranked that high in under a year."

Shino giggled. "I mean you saved many lives and fought villains that terrorized the denizens and caused trouble, including those we couldn't beat. I'd say the rank you earned is justified."

Though hearing this, Ippan continued to eye the screen, amazed at her rank. "I-I...I'm speechless. Just utterly speechless." She admitted, never expecting herself to make it this high up past her friends, having sworn the day she became Sharkine it would've taken longer for her to get near the top.

"I know, right?" Tomoko agreed, soothingly rocking Izuku as she smiled warmly. "We're so happy for you."

"In fact, why don't we go celebrate!" Ryuko suggested with a grin, looking at Shino and Tomoko and then Ippan. "We're past the 500 mark and you're past 300. That's something to celebrate, right?" She asked, earning agreement from Shino and Tomoko, who handed Ippan her baby back.

"What do you have in mind?" Ippan asked Ryuko gaily.

"Your favorite place in the proximity of the camp: The Plunge Pool!"

Tomoko then added. "And it'll just be the five of us! You, Izuku, and us!"

Immediately after those three words left Ryuko's mouth, excitement grew in Ippan. Besides the pool outside the building, there was one she and her friends used to go to celebrate for a special occasion. While it's far from where they are, there's a path they can take that's accessible by foot and vehicle, making the trip there a cakewalk.

"The Plunge Pool..." With one arm, Ippan swiftly and cautiously hugged the three with sparkles in her eyes. "We haven't been there in so long!"

The last time all four were there was when they were just 13. During a hike, Ippan noticed the moisture in the air becoming potent along with the sound of roaring water, and followed the direction it was coming from. Soon enough they found The Plunge Pool and swam in it after discovery. Though they've only gone twice, it was an experience they never forgot thanks to the sound of the falling water.

"Well then, let's get ready."

After Mandalay announced this, she, Ragdoll, and Pixie-Bob went to their rooms to prepare. Before going to her room, Ippan noticed a shirt in her arms and looked to see Izuku waking up. Opening his eyes, he giggled seeing his mom.

"Hey, sweetie. We're going swimming!" Ippan held him in the air as he laughed adorably at the information. With a giggle, Ippan kissed his head, held him close, and walked to her room. "Though you can breathe underwater, you're going to need floaties and a life vest for this so I can keep an eye on you."

The baby Izuku stops laughing and tilts his head.

"Eh?"

Minutes Later

Having driven down the path, The Wild Wild Pussycats reached their destination. The Plunge Pool is as they expected, a large steep circular body of water, surrounded by a rocky wall, attached to a mountain with a waterfall pouring into the pool.

The moment the trio arrived, they had taken a dip in the refreshing water, each wearing a two-piece bikini. Shino's was red and became orange to the frills below the top or around her waist. Ryuko's was blue with white stripes and a sky-blue knot in the front and center of her top and at the hips of her bottoms. And Tomoko's was yellow with little white dots peppered around them.

They were laughing, giggling, and splashing each other, due to the sunlight beaming down in the area. It wasn't until they saw a big familiar SUV parked next to their vehicle. The door then opened to reveal Ippan with her son in her hands, dressed in his green trunks, also sporting matching floaties and a life vest. As for Ippan, she was in a black two-piece bikini that was just right for her slim size.

"Alright, we're here!" Ippan announced to her baby as she exited the vehicle and entered the water.

While The Plunge Pool was deep, the rim opposite from the falls was shallow, only reaching her legs since she was tall. Getting on her knees so the water was up to her belly, Ippan placed her son in the water, allowing him to float. Seeing he wasn't sinking but bobbing, Izuku laughed. Smacking and kicking the water with his hands and feet, Izuku created splashes that reached his mom's height.

Noticing this, Ippan acted quickly and shielded her face. "Aww Izuku, stop it! You're making mommy wet!" She tried her best to hold in a laugh as the water made contact with her body.

As this happened, Mandalay, Pixie-Bob, and Ragdoll smiled at this heartwarming scene between their friend and her baby. However, when they focused on Ippan, their faces began to glow slightly or significantly.

Thanks to her baby and the mist in the air, Ippan's skin was glistening in the sunlight, making her near imperceptible six-pack perceptible. Not only that, her bikini was hugging her lean form sufficiently from her hips and breasts.

Moving her arms as Izuku stopped splashing, Ippan noticed her friends staring at her with red cheeks, much to her confusion. "Uh...What?"

"Y-You're just...So good-looking, Ippan."

"Yeah...Also beautiful."

"And hot...Don't forget that."

Shino, Tomoko, and Ryuko's answers left Ippan's face as red as a cherry from their compliments, realizing now what those stares were for. The last time she saw them red and gaping like this was when they met their idol, Feline Hero: Gato Feroz, and that was when they were 9.

"T-Thanks?" Said Ippan, nervous from the gaze her friends were giving her.

Suddenly an idea came to her. Diverting her friends from her, she held Izuku close and began splashing him with small droplets, making him laugh. To Ippan's luck, The Wild Wild Pussycats have gone from ogling her to gushing over Izuku.

"Awww!" The trio let out in joy.

While they gushed, Ippan thought of their reaction and response toward her. 'What was that?' She looked at the three each as they made faces to get an adorable reaction from her baby. 'Do they really think I'm...I'm that attractive?'

This didn't help cease the red that was lingering in her cheeks. Their compliments, the words they used touched her heart, and something else, something deep within that she never felt before in her life.

Suddenly she was hit in the face with cold water, snapping her out of thoughts, along with a familiar giggle. Looking down, she saw it was Izuku, who was splashing her again.

"Oh, you want mommy's attention?" Ippan picked her baby up as he laughed. "I think it's time to show you how to swim. Would you like that?" Much to her joy, Izuku clapped his hands in excitement in response.

"Can we help?" Asked Tomoko, who was beside Shino and Ryuko. "We can take turns guiding him around the pool."

"And under the waterfall...If you want." Suggested Ryuko.

"It's moral to get permission first." Mandalay clarified, considering Ippan told them about Izuku's capability to breathe underwater.

"Sure." Answer Ippan with a look of approval. "And I mean that for both."

This satisfied The Wild Wild Pussycats as they swam away from Ippan. Mandalay and Ragdoll swam to the side of The Plunge Pool while Pixie-Bob swam under the waterfall, unfazed and unbothered by the rush of water that soaked her from above. All the while, Ippan remained opposite the waterfall with Izuku still in her hands as he looked in amusement, seeing the trio swim spread apart from each other. This interested him since this was his first time seeing them apart.

When they were in place, Ippan let go of Izuku, who looked directly at the waterfall, and waited for one of the Pussycats to call him to their position each. Before they could, Izuku, despite being 6 months old, kicked his feet and swam off in the water. He was going directly toward Ryuko with the benefit of his floaties, giving him a bit more leverage in velocity.

Following her maternal instincts, Ippan followed her baby from behind without delay, feeling she should've known he was gonna do this. Entering the falls, she sees her son open his arms and embrace the awestruck Ryuko by the abdomen with his eyes shut.

"Wha..."

Before Ryuko could let out anything else, Izuku let go and clasped her hand, kicking the water to the opening, trying to pull her out of the waterfall. Realizing what he was trying to do, she gave him a bit of him by kicking slightly until she was out. Believing he saved her, Izuku let go with a smile and swam toward Shino.

At the same time, Ippan glanced at Ryuko who looked back bewildered. Before the mother could go after her infant, he was already swimming toward them with Shino. She was also astonished, as Izuku hugged her back while pushing her forward. Of course, she kicked her legs, but lightly enough to avoid hurting him by mistake.

Letting go of her, Izuku swam past Shino, Ryuko, and his mom toward Tomoko while the three just watched. While the last of The Wild Wild Pussycats watched him approach, her amazement turned into excitement. She realized what he was doing for her and her friends and it was touching.

"Come on Izuku, you can save me!" She exclaimed with a big grin.

Opening her arms she was ready to be "Saved" by the green-haired tot. As he closed in, Izuku became weary but remained determined, using every speck of energy left in his body. When he was close, Izuku used the rest of his energy to hug Tomoko, who in turn hugged him back.

At first Ryuko and Shino presumed Izuku was gonna guide Tomoko back to them, but Ippan could already tell that was unlikely. When the last Wild Wild Pussycat swam toward them, they saw Izuku in her arm napping with the back of his head resting against her body.

"Shhh...He tuckered himself out."

Smiling warmly, Tomoko gingerly handed the baby back to his mom. Back in Ippan's arms, Izuku snuggled in her arms, making her and her friends again beam at his innate cuteness.

Minutes Later

Sitting on a rock, cradling her child, Ippan held him close to her chest to keep him comfortable. Hearing the excitement from above, she looked at the top of the waterfall to see the trio as they jumped, slid, or fell from the top into the water. Each of them created a splash on the way down.

The three resurfaced shortly after making those splashes as Ryuko lay on her back and Shino lay on her stomach, floating above the surface. Tomoko, who remained upright with the water up to her underarms, looked at the waterfall and points.

"Last to the waterfall is a rotten egg!" Tomoko shouted enthusiastically before swimming over to the falls with Shino and Ryuko catching up.

By the time they were all under the waterfall, they were splashed by the cool misty water from above. It was refreshing, leaving their hair drenched as the mist grazed their shiny skin. With a sigh of pure relaxation, the three rested against the rocky wall behind them under the waterfall with their heads back and eyes closed.

Ippan giggled, pleased to see her friends having a great time. Looking at her napping baby, a thought came across her mind that she's been thinking about for a while now.

From the many times she'd accomplished her career as a Pro-Hero, Ippan began to notice how dangerous it can be, whether it was to save or incapacitate someone. If something happened, if she were to perish, Izuku would grow up without a mother, and her friends would be left devastated.

This made Ippan sigh.

As much as she loves her Hero work, she loves her friends and son more. It was all a sad to think of. She's afraid of losing her life and departing from the only family she has, yet she must do her job if she wants to support her child and herself.

"Hmm..."

Placing her free hand against her chin with her eyes closed, Ippan began to wonder about other possible career choices besides Heroism. There has to be a job for her to do that's harmless, one that at least doesn't involve fighting.

Ippan shook her head. 'No...Not right now.' Opening her eyes she looked at her friends and son with contentment. 'Right now, I just need to relax.' Soothingly nuzzling her face against Izuku's hair, she sighed solacely.

After a couple more minutes passed, Mandalay, Ragdoll, and Pixie-Bob swam over to Ippan and emerged from The Plunge Pool, ready to head back home. But before they leave Ippan has one more thing to do, for old times' sake. Turning to Tomoko, Ippan presented her now awake baby to her.

"Hold onto Izuku for a moment, please. I'm gonna take a quick dive."

Tomoko looked at Izuku before holding him, nodding to Ippan who soon made her way to the slope leading up to the waterfall. As she carefully climbed, Tomoko noticed Izuku reaching up to grab a lock of her green hair and smiled as she wiggled her index finger above him.

"You did a good job saving your aunts from drowning, Izuku." Tomoko praised, making him laugh.

"Ma!"

With a gasp, The Wild Wild Pussycats froze at Izuku's response. Ryuko and Shino were wide-eyed but Tomoko was that and open-mouthed. Her face was glowing, becoming a deeper hue of red as the baby played with her finger.

Izuku called her ma.

The baby of her tall friend called her ma.

"Cannonball!"

A shout echoed before either of the 3 could speak as Ippan leaped from the waterfall. With her arms around her legs and knees against her chest, Ippan screamed excitedly as she plummeted down the falls straight into The Plunge Pool's center. This created a big splash that nearly reached Tomoko, Shino, Ryuko, and Izuku as the three former looked on at the water.

Ippan emerged, climbing out of the natural pool, shaking her hair dry as she approached the trio and her baby, satisfied by the jump she made. "That felt great!" She announced before picking up a towel, which was one of the many her friends brought, and dries herself with it. Ippan rubbed the towel on her legs up to her hips and rear before bringing it up to her stomach, back, chest, and finally her head. "You have no idea how long I wanted to do that."

The triad felt lucky that their friend was drying her face with the towel, otherwise, she would've noticed they were staring at her again. Looking away in time, Ippan approached them with a towel over her shoulder as Tomoko gave her back Izuku, whom she held close, hugging him gently before looking at her friends. "Now, let's head back."

As Ippan headed back to her SUV with her baby, her friends returned to their car while drying off with their towels. Once everyone was in, they drove away from their favorite zone back home.

15 Minutes Later

Having returned to the house, heading upstairs and changing Izuku and herself back into their usual clothes, Ippan came down from her room with her child. Looking over at the kitchen she saw her friends, all changed back into their regular attire as well. They were talking to one another, laughing, and bringing up things they saw or did during and after their Hero work.

The sight made Ippan curl her lips before sighing. As nice as it is, there's something important she has to notify them about.

"Shino, Ryuko, Tomoko." The three turned their attention to Ippan, who entered the room, placing Izuku in his baby rocker, and securing him. "There's something I want to discuss...It's important."

"Did something happen Ippan?" Mandalay asked, looking as confused as Ragdoll and Pixie-Bob.

With a deep breath, Ippan looks at them. "I decided to go and look for another job." As she expected, this made her friends gasp by the announcement.

"You're quitting your Hero work? Why!?"

Ippan chuckled but assured Ryuko. "No-no-no-no, I'm not resigning, I..." She scratched the back of her head a little. "Well, you see...I was just thinking of getting another to take...a..." She glanced at her baby, who was teething on his hand looking at her, making her sigh. "No...I can't lie to you all...I want to look for a second job because I realized if I only do Hero work, I might overdo it and sap myself of energy, either ending up wounded or even worse...killed."

Looking at Izuku, she beamed a little. "To prevent that, ensure I stay alive and well for my son, and earn money to provide for him, I'm going to look for a second career. One I can accomplish at any time while providing the safety to those in the region if there was ever an emergency."

When Ippan finished, she waited for a response from the trio, hoping they would understand the decision she was making. After almost a minute had passed with only the sound of Izuku teething, Ippan started to become concerned. Were they skeptical about her choice? Or were they disappointed in her? It worried her.

"Girls...I'm s-"

Ippan didn't have enough time to finish as she immediately felt 4 arms wrapping around her body at the waist. Looking down, to her surprise, she sees her friends have brought her into a hug. Ryuko and Shino were on the left and right of her with their right and left arm around Tomoko who was in the middle.

This baffled Ippan so much that she couldn't even question or say anything about this.

"Ippan..." Tomoko raised her head to look at her friend. "You can do that. Don't apologize for it or take it back."

"Eh!" Ippan let out. "R-R-Really? Y-You mean it?"

"Of course we mean it! Heroes do it all the time!" Ryuko grinned, looking up along with Shino.

"Some Heroes do it." Shino corrected. "Whether it's for friends, family, or to simply rest from what most Heroes do all the time."

Tomoko then finished. "And like Heroes, you don't have to tell us about your choices...Unless they're illegal." She shrugged. "Just, follow your heart with what feels right or feels wrong. It's your life and your choice to make for Izuku, and as long as those choices are good, we'll be there to support you."

Taking in both the hug and words from her friends, Ippan was silent. Suddenly, tears started to roll down her face with a smile spreading gradually across her face. Dropping down on one knee, she opened her arms and brought them into a return hug, careful not to break their spines.

"Th...Thank you."

It was all Ippan said as her friends kept hugging her as she did, saying nothing as they remained like that. It was only when they heard Izuku crying. They separated from the hug and looked at the baby.

"Looks like he's hungry." Ryuko pointed out.

With a nod, Ippan got her baby out of the rocker and went back upstairs to her bedroom. Entering her room, she sat down on her bed with care before lifting her shirt. After moving her bra to reveal her chest, she guided her baby to the right, letting him latch on and drink her milk.

Leaning back, Ippan sighed happily, feeding her baby. That's when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in." After saying this, the door opened to reveal Tomoko, who entered. "Oh hey, what's up?"

Tomoko stepped inside and walked over to Ippan. "I wanted to tell you whatever you choose to help Izuku, we'll be there to support you for it. Don't ever give up on that goal."

Ippan shook her head. "I wouldn't, especially when I have you and the others to help, and my son to keep me going."

In response to that, Tomoko smiled warmly and leaned in, kissing Ippan on the cheek and Izuku on the head, leaving the former stunned. "I'll see you downstairs when you're finished."

With Tomoko leaving the room, Ippan phased out of shock and touched her cheek where her friend had kissed her. She couldn't help but smile. 'She's so cute.' Ippan looked down at her baby as he was still drinking from her breast. "You're so hungry, aren't you?" She chuckled, keeping Izuku close.

A Few Days Later: Musutafu, Japan

In her Hero Costume, Sharkine roamed through the streets of the city. It's surprisingly been quiet lately. There was no havoc, screams, or even an explosion in the distance, it was just...Peaceful.

While she doesn't see or hear crime happening or anything fishy as she walks, Ippan is in her thoughts, trying to figure out what second career she could find. She knows that there are many to choose from, but due to her height and strength, she's worried most of what she'd pick would end in disaster.

"Why is it so hard to choose another job?!" She asked herself in annoyance, only to let out a sigh. It's been more than 2 days since she started looking, yet nothing seems to stick for her.

Stopping in her tracks, Ippan leaned against a wall near a glass window beyond her height and closed her eyes, muttering. "Maybe I'm not looking in the right places or considering other careers. I mean their must be..."

Just as Ippan was about to look away from the window next to her, she shook her head and looked at what was inside. It was a big lobby with several chairs and two couches inside for waiting, but what caught her eye was what was on the walls. In front of the crimson wallpaper were photographs of women, together or separately, clothed in very alluring outfits. These outfits they wore consisted of dresses and bikinis, along with Maids, Nurses, Firefighters, Olympians, and even Hero Costumes.

"Eh?" Ippan blinked several times to see if her eyes were deceiving her, but they weren't.

Looking up above the double doors that lead entry to the building. There was a sign that was glowing with a mix of crimson and blue that read in a fond of bold and cursive: Sensual Gradients. Below it on the window of the left door was also a sign that said: Modeling Wanted.

'Modeling?' Ippan looked at the photographs and then the sign again. "Nope-not it!" She shook her head and began to walk away. "No-no-no-no-no!" Taking a deep breath, she stopped in her tracks and looked back at the sign. After a moment in thought, Ippan turned back around and approached the double doors. "I...Guess it wouldn't hurt to try." Without hesitation, she entered the building.

Looking around, Ippan got a better look at the inside. The lobby was a lot bigger than she saw outside and besides the crimson wallpaper and photographs, the floor was made of white marble. The chairs and couches were also crimson, including the tables, and the ceiling lights were rounded almost like saucers. At the end away from the entrance was the front desk, and behind it a hallway that led down to doors going to breakrooms, photography rooms, and so on.

Ippan looked around, amazed by the lobby as she approached the front desk. Seeing nobody was standing there, she lightly tapped the bell on the counter with her finger, making it ding.

"Be there in a second!"

Surprised by the British feminine accent, Ippan stood where she remained, doing as asked. In seconds, a woman with jet-black hair and pewter gray skin emerged from one of the rooms in the hall, wearing a sparkling midnight blue button-up shirt, a white silk skirt, and black heels. When she got closer, Ippan noticed that while her right eye was normal with a diamond-shaped oceanside-colored iris, her left eye was an optical lens of a camera.

From what Ippan can guess, this woman has some kind of Photographer Quirk.

"Good evening! I am Kiyomi Shashin, CEO of Sensual Gradients!" The woman, Kiyomi, greeted cheerfully, opening her eyes. "How can I-" The woman paused realizing that the individual in front of her was taller than she expected. "Help...You...?"

Slowly she tilted her head upward from the legs of the woman to her head. 'S-Sharkine?!' Koyomi thought as time seemingly froze around her, examining Ippan to be certain it was the Pro-Hero she was looking at, her lens eye adjusting slightly as she did. 'The Shark Hero, here!? In my company?!'

"Uh...Hi." Ippan greeted with a small wave, looking down at Kiyomi, who looked shocked. "...Is there a possible job opening for model-?"

"Why yes we do!" Kiyomi answered with a sparkle in her eye and lens. "And it looks like you're hired!"

"R-Really!?" Ippan responded wide-eyed and mouth-gape with a faint blush on her cheeks, earning a nod from Kiyomi.

"Mm-hm!" Moving away from the front desk to the hall. "Just follow me and I'll present to you your room. In the meantime, I shall inform you about modeling."

Ippan still looked a bit unsure if she could do this...But, seeing that she had been hired for something she could accomplish without a problem, she pushed aside that bit of doubtfulness she had and followed the camerawoman further into the building.

Meanwhile, Kiyomi was having a bit of trouble keeping her excitement down. In all her career, she never had a model with the Mutant Quirk of a Shark, especially with how rare it is to come by a woman with said Quirk that makes them look so fierce, yet sensual.

While walking, Kiyomi looked back at Ippan. "Now while it may seem modeling is a difficult task to achieve, it is quite easy, and pays handsomely." She clarified. "Other than the garments, undergarments, and products we're provided from our suppliers, all you need to do is choose what you want to wear first and pick the pose you feel is right. You can also request items to assist with the decor, including snacks and beverages to add a bit of authenticity to the shot."

Ippan nodded, absorbing what she was told with what was left of her skepticism faded away, now replaced with interest. Soon enough, Kiyomi faced a door, big enough for Ippan to fit through, labeled Room 15. Opening it, the two soon entered, allowing the latter to get a good look at the room she'd likely be taking photos in.

As expected the room was the perfect size for her with the wall at the side being layered over with a green screen as the floor near it was covered in a multi-purpose tarp. Around it were studio lights with a computer to alter the shade and lighting, depending on the setting. Opposite from the green screen was what looked to be a couch, a glass table, and a mini-fridge.

Stepping over to the table holding the computer, Kiyomi picked up a couple of photographs, looking at them with pride before looking back at Ippan. "To help ease yourself a little for this, here are some examples of what you'll be doing here during business hours."

Presented the photos, Ippan took with her index and thumbs and took a close look at each of the photographs. To her wonderment, these were photographs of Kiyomi Shashin herself, each one of her posed in different styles of clothing. In one photo she was in a bikini with her arms behind her back, winking. The next one, she's dressed in only overalls, applying roof tiles to the top of a house. In another, she was lying on her stomach on a lavish bed in lingerie, her chin resting on her hands as she smiled.

"Wow...Each one's so..."

"Glamorous?" Ippan nodded, making Kiyomi giggle. "I know."

"So...When do I start?"

"Whenever you're ready, darling." Kiyomi clarified with respect. "This'll be your first time modeling, so you'll have all the time you need to prepare."

Ippan looked at her before turning back to the photos, pondering about the career she now has the chance of doing. Suddenly a ringing echoed in the room. The sound's origin was vague until Kiyomi rolled her sleeve up, revealing a watch device, which revealed a message.

After reading it, Kiyomi let out a gasp. "I have to go, the model in Room 8 is ready!" Running out the door, she came to a halt and looked back at Ippan. "Remember, if you're ready, give me a call and come back before your scheduled debut."

With that, Kiyomi ran off out of sight to the room she was needed in. Looking back at the photos one last time before leaving Room 15 and then the building, giving herself time to think.