Taishiro said little as the night dragged on, though Rumi did more than enough talking for the both of them. It had started slowly, the woman's thoughts scattered and somewhat unconvincing, and had eventually built to a crescendo that the older professional hero could no longer ignore. Keigo had only jumped in to elaborate upon his partner's points with personal anecdotes about what he had seen and heard, and otherwise remained silent. And so it was that the three heroes had entirely lost track of time while they huddled around a laptop as Rumi clicked through photos and documents.

"And yeah, that's… just about everything," the woman finished as she leaned back into the couch next to Taishiro. "The Shie Hassaikai are up to something, and they're calling this whole initiative 'Sunbeam', whatever that means. Keigo's overheard some things here and there about a prototype. No one ever says the word 'prototype' without it being a basis for something evil."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far," Taishiro said cautiously. "That being said… the Yakuza making or researching a prototype probably isn't a good sign. How much of all this does Togata know?"

"The bare minimum," Keigo answered. "He hasn't checked in lately, and we haven't told him about Sunbeam, because… well, there's nothing to tell. That, and I'd honestly prefer he stumble into it on his own if it really is something significant. If we send him chasing leads that aren't even there, it could get him into trouble. Well… more trouble."

Taishiro rubbed at his chin and looked out the window. The man was surprised to see the moon already hanging in the sky, and he realized he had absolutely no idea how many hours he had spent in Rumi's apartment.

"So you are worried you might be potentially jumping at shadows."

Rumi and Keigo exchanged a look, only for the woman to make an annoyed little noise as she closed her laptop.

"…you can thank the other pros for that. I'm just covering my ass, alright? If it does turn out to be nothing, then… good. We pull Togata out, and we have nothing to worry about. But if this is something that's being ignored and the Shie Hassaikai are aware of that fact and taking advantage of it? We'd be screwed. They may be weak right now, but I seriously doubt they're stupid."

"Yeah, I get it," Taishiro acknowledged. "You've shown me enough to take this seriously. Just… one question. 'Sunbeam.' Where are you hearing this thrown around?"

"Rarely," Keigo admitted. "Every so often, I hear it being dropped into conversation over at The Glistening Pearl. Didn't really think much of it, at first, but… that's not a word you use often, is it? Always being said by men in suits, none of which I recognize. I only really started paying attention when I heard it again at a bar elsewhere in Japan, being thrown around. It means something, and it's usually in the same conversation where I hear 'prototype.' Rumi's heard it, too."

"Yeah," the rabbit hero agreed. "I don't know if it's specifically the Shie Hassaikai working on it or if they're just talking about it, but they know something. Togata's worming his way in, and eventually, we'll ask if he's heard anything."

"The Pearl…" Taishiro said with a shake of his head. "I guess I could go poke around there, too, see if I notice anything. Haven't been to that particular establishment in a long time. Nemuri and I used to frequent the place, and she would do occasional shows there. More her thing than mine, but they had good food."

"Nemuri? That sounds familiar…" Keigo considered as he furrowed his brows.

"You'd know her as Midnight," Taishiro said with a shrug. "We used to be a thing."

"You and Midnight?" Rumi asked incredulously. "Seriously? You dated one of my professors? And she used to work there?"

"What's so weird about that?" Taishiro asked indignantly. "We're still good friends, and she had a side hustle. Only quit doing it because certain heroes she isn't a fan of started coming around to see her. Give me some time, and I might even be able to get her on board to help us out… if you trust me to do that."

"…no one better to keep eyes on a strip club than Midnight, I guess," Keigo considered. "But we stop there, if she'll help us out. You, Amajiki, Midnight, Togata, and the two of us. No one else. We clear?"

"Crystal," Taishiro answered as he rose from the sofa while bracing his hands upon his knees. "Listen, I should get going… it's late, and I've gotta clear some office space for you two. We need to have a meeting soon with Togata and Amajiki, get this all straightened out and form a concrete plan for reconnaissance. I'll bring Nemuri. There is one other thing, though… do you really think Hado's gonna stay out of this with her two best friends knee-deep in this mess? You said she already knows Togata's in deep cover."

Rumi raised a hand and rubbed at one of her ears, looking annoyed.

"…no, I don't. Just… can we start with just the people already on the table? Ryukyu and I don't get along. If we have to get her involved, we will, but hopefully we can hold them off."

"We'll see," Taishiro said cryptically as he headed for the door. "Thanks for bringing me in to the loop. I'll call once I've got an office set up for you two. Have a good one."

Rumi waited for the massive man to leave the apartment before she unceremoniously flopped sideways, laying her head into Keigo's lap with a weary sigh.

"…why do I feel like we're going to end up catching a ton of shit for this?"

"Because that's how it is for heroes these days," Keigo answered as he began to play with Rumi's hair. "Only a matter of time before someone goes after All Might, or Endeavor. Maybe we'll be able to turn our reputation around with this. Maybe not. Honestly, though… who cares? We've got each other."

"Yeah," Rumi mumbled. "Maybe…"

Katsuki hadn't been listening. Much to his surprise, he had spent several hours mostly staring out at the ocean, simply watching the waves rush in and out as the tides changed and laughter echoed around him. Somehow, he found that he wasn't as annoyed by the company of Eijiro and Mina as he had expected to be. They occasionally asked him questions, but both seemed content to back off after his short, typically one-word answers before they became occupied with chatting up Kyoka once again. Conversations had started and ended abruptly, leading to odd periods of silence as the other three teens on the beach casually sipped their beer.

Eventually, Katsuki's attention was drawn up to the moon. He wasn't entirely sure when the sun had set and its counterpart had risen, nor was he aware of when Kyoka had traded places with Eijiro and moved to sit beside him. The sudden tap on his shoulder caught him entirely by surprise, and all he could do was look over in the girl's direction with a confused look upon his face. Kyoka gave him a smile of content, though something about her expression was a bit off. The subtle smell of alcohol upon her breath caused Katsuki to scowl as she spoke, and he almost tuned out her question on instinct as he looked back up at the sky.

"Hey… you've been quiet. What are you thinkin' about?"

Katsuki knew that telling her that he was thinking about how the stench of alcohol reminded him of his mother wouldn't end well for either of them.

"…U.A., and what we'll be doing when we get there," he lied. "What else is there to think about right now? We're moving in pretty soon."

"Yeah, we are!" Eijiro said enthusiastically in a tone that was far too loud. "Then we can hang out like this all the time!"

"Shhh!" Mina insisted as she sloppily clapped a hand over her boyfriend's face. "You're makin' my head hurt, man!"

"Sorry!" Eijiro replied in a near whisper. "Is this better?"

"Loads," Mina praised as she flopped back onto her towel and looked up at the stars. "But yeah… we gotta do this more often. Probably can't drink, though. I don't wanna get kicked out."

"We'll find a way," Kyoka replied. "Or at least, we can try to find a way. Make it a personal challenge."

"Or we could not," Katsuki offered. "We'll be busy studying and training. There's no need for this kind of shit. It's a waste of time."

"Then why haven't you left?" Kyoka asked, seeming somewhat emboldened by her buzzed state.

Katsuki looked over to the girl once again, his expression unreadable.

"…I told you before. Someone's gotta make sure you don't do anything stupid or hurt yourself doing this dumb shit."

"So, we're friends, is what you're saying," Kyoka said slowly. "You care about my health. You'd be sad if I died by falling over into a mountain of garbage."

Katsuki rolled his eyes.

"…yeah, sure, if that makes you feel better. You won't even remember this conversation tomorrow, so run with that idea if it makes you happy."

"Aw, that's cute!" Mina sang. "Kyoka's got her own little angry guardian angel! With explosive sweat! Dude, your Quirk is so cool…"

"…uh-huh," Katsuki answered as he closed his eyes and massaged his forehead with his thumb and fingers. "You're all drunk. Just leave me out of it."

"Not drunk!" Eijiro insisted. "Just… uh, loosened. Hanging out! Having a good time!"

"Eiji, you're too loud again!" Mina insisted as she smacked a hand into the boy's chest.

"Gah! Sorry!" Eijiro said, rather loudly.

"That's better…"

Katsuki suddenly stood and stretched, ignoring his soon-to-be classmates. For a moment, he considered walking away down the beach and leaving them to their own devices. Just as quickly, he thought better of it and sat back down next to Kyoka, only for the girl to flop backward and mirror Mina's positioning.

"…hey, sorry if we're annoying," Kyoka said with a grimace. "I know I annoyed you yesterday, too."

"…what the hell are you talking about?" Katsuki asked as he watched Kyoka begin to fidget with one of her earlobes.

"With my family and stuff," Kyoka clarified. "I'll be less annoying at U.A., I promise. I'm just… trying to take my mind off shit right now, so I'm being stupid. And drunk."

"You're not… that annoying," Katsuki admitted, choosing his words carefully. "And you didn't annoy me yesterday. I told you- I get it. Family stuff is shitty. I came to check on you out of obligation as an up-and-coming hero, and also… I guess to just not be a shitty person. You ran outta the meeting in tears. Who wouldn't go after you?"

"That's all probably true," Mina slurred as she waved a hand. "But you're not obligated to sit here with us for hours and listen to us bullshit about movies and music and shit. So… why are you still here? I don't buy the 'protecting us' excuse, dude. We can handle ourselves."

"Let it go," Eijiro urged as he moved to lie down beside Mina. "Things have been nice tonight. Let's not ruin it now…"

"What if I said I don't know?" Katsuki asked with an edge to his voice as he locked eyes with Mina. "I don't know why I went along with all this, or why I've just been sitting here half-listening to you three. Maybe I just gave up since I know I'll be hearing it for the next four years. Maybe I just want to get the hell away from my house for a while. Maybe I'm starting to tolerate you people. I don't know. Happy, now?"

"Yeah, actually," Mina admitted with a satisfied grin. "But I wanna help you find the answer over time. You're an interesting guy. I think we should do this kinda stuff more often once we get to U.A., alcohol or no. Loosening up isn't so bad when you just give in, is it?"

"It's pretty bad," Katsuki denied. He paused for a moment before slowly laying back and folding his arms behind his head to end up beside Kyoka. "But I've had worse."

"That's the spirit!" Kyoka teased. "Hanging out with us isn't quite rock bottom! That counts for something, right? Here's to many more nights looking at the stars like total dorks. Maybe next time, you'll talk more!"

"Maybe," Katsuki considered. "Maybe not. And you're right, I guess. This isn't rock bottom. I think I've already hit that, and I'm on the way back up. Slowly. Or maybe that's just naïve."

"Don't jinx it," Eijiro warned. "Who knows what new lows we might hit once this hero stuff really gets going? Life's probably about to get a lot harder, man."

Katsuki simply snorted, keeping his eyes skyward.

"…tch. Bring it on. I can take it."

Author's Note:

Or can he?

-RD