Two Days Later

Hosu City (8am)

I'd entered Gloria's rental condo, a cluster of unfolded clothes and an unmade bed viewed my sights. She was a well-meaningful friend and aunt, but Gloria was a manhunter. Her eyes caught interesting men, and they got lovey-dovey over her curves. Alongside her curvy hips, Gloria's disco vibes were energizing not to overlook. Her family loved disco and any music related to their culture. It was fun hearing Gloria's favorite music when we drive along together.

She was in the bathroom, changing into her hero suit. I sat on the bed and noticed a pair of yellow sunglasses. They looked familiar. Gloria had been talking about meeting an awesome man at the Flirtatious Wine Host Bar. It was a few weeks ago, but Gloria and him were a perfect match. When she stumbled out of the door, attempting to shove her foot into a glamorous high heel boot, she saw me and the glasses. "Oh, shit. Present Mic left his shades again."

"You're dating Present Mic? Isn't he a teacher at UA?"

Enji got a call from the school; an offer of becoming a part-time teacher. He refused over one reason: All-Might. He agreed to be a teacher at UA High, which didn't suit Enji's mood. I was glad he declined, because All-Might would annoy him 24/7.

"He's single, and loves disco."

She wasn't wrong; Present Mic hosted a podcast and a radio talk show. He shared what the pro heroes had been doing, as well as invite special guests and have them speak their opinions. A spokesperson with an ecstatic personality. Just the person Gloria needed in her life. "Got the call from Mrs. Cozi?"

I nodded. We got her message a couple hours ago. Mrs. Cozi wished to talk about the Q-Pills and how they'd been affecting the black markets. The League of Supa-Villains ran over the black markets, selling their illegal support items to criminals. Q-Pills were by far their most dangerous items. Giving each user, even if they weren't quirkless, abilities temporarily sounded awful. What's worst was the aftermath of using those pills.

"Yeah, I got the call, Gloria. Let's get to the rendezvous point."

We left the condo, hopped into Gloria's white jeep, and drove to Mrs. Cozi's destination. Now, she couldn't arrive in Japan, because of her work. Being head director of the Underground Agency was serious business. To support this, she sent a hologram device to Gloria's address and she'll contact us virtually.

We'd found the rendezvous point Mrs. Cozi mentioned. A luxurious restaurant with private lounge rooms for pro heroes. Once we flashed our pro hero licenses at the staff, they'd showed us to the lounge rooms. We entered the one Mrs. Cozi reserved, seeing a marvelous sight. Golden trims, flower designs on wallpaper, and a crystal chandelier shining angelic white light. Gloria set the holographic device on the coffee table and pressed a red button. It flickered a projection upwards, revealing a blonde-haired woman in a gray business suit. Janice Cozi.

"Hello, Mrs. Plume and Glam. Nice to see you again. Sorry for not meeting you in person. I have other businesses to study." She bowed.

We copied her gesture and took the apology. "Don't mention it. So, we've been watching the League of Supa-Villains for weeks now. From what we saw, they're selling illegally untested support items to the black market. Various criminals have been using those items to rob banks and spread terrorism across Japan."

"Q-Pills, the latest item they created, spread mysterious incidents. One incident involved a robber transforming into a rock-like monster and attacking a police squad."

Janice rubbed her chin and nodded at us. She wanted us to continue the subject.

"Our research concludes on how Q-Pills function. A user swallows a deep blue pill, waits overnight, and develops quirks. Either a quirkless or quirk-enhanced individual can gain abilities with these pills. However, side effects show devastating symptoms."

"How severe are these symptoms?"

Gloria cleared her throat. "Purple spores have been growing out of their backs once the pill's effects wear off. With additions to purple spores, they've developed fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. No signs of death are seen, but judging by the symptoms, it's inevitable."

I knew Gloria was lax and out-going, but in front of Mrs. Cozi, she sounded professionally efficient. Mrs. Cozi nodded again and hummed. She stopped rubbing her chin and opened her sky-blue eyes. "Alright, that's enough information. I'll converse this to Dr. Java. Maybe he'll craft a cure for the pill's side effects. For now, focus on finding the league's actual hiding place. Report it when you do."

We obliged, and Gloria turned off the device. "Man, this spy stuff is draining my energy." I stretched my back, relief washing over tensed muscles.

"I know, but the league has something up their sleeves, and it's shitty."

We left the lounge room, thanked the staff, and exited the restaurant, standing near Gloria's jeep. "I've heard your nephew's birthday is today. Got a gift for him?"

I smiled, thinking about Shoto's reaction to my gift will be. Then, I remembered my message to Enji, fearing the worst. My face stiffened, and Gloria grimaced. "Don't tell me you shared the information to your brother? He's gonna mess his birthday up with whatever manly shit he's buying."

"I know, but maybe the gift won't be too outrageous."

Gloria leaned against the car door frame, an obvious eyebrow raise glancing at me. If her slanted lips and squinted eyes weren't obvious, I don't know what was. "He's gonna screw things up for Shoto. I just know it. Anyway, here's my gift to him." Gloria tossed a disco ball charm necklace to me, my hands caught it. The sunlight reflected tiny beams of silver, each landing on the jeep's sleek surface and my face. Had to shut my eyes to avoid temporary blindness.

"What a delicate necklace. He'll like it. Thanks, Gloria."

She clicked her tongue and pointed a finger at me. "Sure thing, girl."

We hopped in and drove away from the restaurant. Thoughts raced about what Enji's gift will be. A plush-doll of himself? His hero costume most kids buy for Halloween? Or maybe a picture of himself? Mostly gifts that centered around him. Nah, Enji wouldn't dare buy stuff about his hero persona and give those to Shoto. 'I'm overthinking this situation, am I?'

*Yesterday Morning

"Rei, what happened to your sweater?" I'd approached Rei, whose white sweater had a diagonal strip of wet mud.

"Some passenger drove by and splashed mud on me. I was picking today's newspaper when it happened."

I removed the sweater, but Rei stopped me. "Enji, don't. The kids are present."

"Touya and Fuyumi are adults, they're fine seeing you half-naked."

She slapped my hand, which stung. I backed away, as Rei smoothed down her dirty sweater. "Either that passenger wasn't aware of the rain last night or was in a hurry, you shouldn't worry. Okay, Enji?"

I wanted to know who attacked Rei through a pathetic prank. That incident wasn't accidental; someone purposefully drove on a mud puddle to harass Rei. "Okay, I won't worry. Just change into a fresh sweater."

Rei nodded with a pristine smile and marched down the hallway. Fuyumi noticed our brief conversation and came to me, furrowed eyebrows and concerned eyes expressing my thoughts. "Is Mom okay, Dad?"

"She's fine. I won't forgive whoever splash mud on her."

"At least she wasn't harmed, right?"

"Yes, your mother wasn't hurt."

"Good. Tomorrow is Shoto's birthday and Mom and Miya planned a party at our house."

A party? Ugh, thinking about what happened last time shook my spine. Never again would I allow rowdy teens into our house. But since it was Shoto's birthday, I'll allow it. "Are you buying a gift for Shoto, Dad?"

"A gift worthy of my youngest son? What would he want?"

The possibilities were endless. On the top of my head was a picture frame of me and Shoto, both wearing my hero costume. I'd smiled upon that image, but Fuyumi, who'd read my mind, tapped my shoulder. "You're too predictable, Dad."

"What?"

"Shoto isn't you, he's himself. Try thinking what he would want on his birthday."

Ah, now Fuyumi was pushing me to respect my family over my ambitions. So, I'd pondered hard about which gift will satisfy Shoto's birthday tomorrow. Difficult, yes, but I concluded on the ultimate gift.

Musutafu Mall (12pm)

Three hours of visiting and scanning the Musutafu Mall's interiors, I'd felt tired. I'd never visited malls, because of my schedule. However, Shoto's birthday was a special occasion, and I called off work to buy him the ultimate gift. Dressed in my navy blue sweater and denim jeans, I strode through enormous crowds, still in search of the toy store. It felt embarrassing to visit a toy store, but it had the gift I wanted.

My phone rang in my pocket. I pulled it out and answered. "Dad?"

"Yes, Fuyumi?"

"Did you find the store?"

"This mall is twice the size of a football field. Finding a toy store section is like searching through a haystack. A needle as thin as hay itself, the search was tiresome and time-wasting."

"What floor are you on?"

"Floor C." There was a map on each floor. I analyzed the one nearest to me and found Floor C.

"The toy store is on Floor D."

"Floor D?" I'd found the floor and where the store was. "Oh, there are over three floors?"

"Dad, malls have over three floors."

"I thought the additional floors are meaningless."

"Oh, Dad. You need to leisure more."

I rolled my eyes, because Fuyumi was right. Work had been overlapping my life. "Thank you, Fuyumi. I'll buy the gift before the party begins. When is it?"

"4pm, Dad."

"Alright, bye." I hung up, stuffed the phone in my pocket, and climbed upstairs.

On Floor D, fewer crowds roamed across the area. A few minutes later, I'd found the toy store. Its neon sign spelled child nostalgia. The last time I came upon a toy store was twenty years ago. Father bought a water gun on my thirteenth birthday, used it when we visited a water park on summer vacation. A smile sketched on my face, as I entered the toy store. Once I'd found Shoto's ultimate gift, I paid the cashier $45, and left.

Blocking my path was a woman with streaks of black, green, and pink hair. Her golden yellow eyes looked me up and down, the ruby red lipstick shining a glossy texture. Oh, this woman. Kimi Sanamaki, daughter of Sanamaki Incorporation's CEO. Unlike Rimaki and his absent-minded father, Kimi and her father were the worst. Sanamaki Incorporation had ten companies, two were pro hero agencies.

Over years of success, the business became a gigantic provider to Japan's financial solutions. I'll applaud Kimi's father for supporting the country, but I couldn't overlook their condescending attitudes, specially how she behaved.

"Hello, sir. I'm Kimi Sanamaki, hottest girl on the block."

'Ugh, the nerve of this woman.'

"What brings you here?"

"I bought a gift for my son."

Kimi twirled a strand of neon green hair around her finger, a fingernail covered in manicured polish. Its color matched her lips. "How thoughtful of you to get a gift for your son. How old is he?"

"Today, he's turning twelve." I'd tried leaving her sight, but she followed me.

"Twelve is a lucky number."

"..." Should I prolong this conversation?

She followed me, her high heels clacking the tiled floors. Her expensive gown looked skimpy and skin-revealing. A public mall had a dress code. Everyone wore casual clothes, yet Kimi wanted to impress men by revealing her glorious feminine traits. It sickened me, but I'd kept it to myself. We reached the first floor and Kimi yanked my arm to a circular table. "Let's talk some more."

"I prefer we not. My son's birthday party is in a few hours."

"You can tell your wife to delay. Nothing too bad about it."

"I said no." I broke free of Kimi's grip, losing interest in our pointless conversation. As I walked towards the entrance, Kimi grunted and stomped after me. She grabbed the back of my sweater, stopping me inches near the entrance. Its doors slid open, yet I'd remained still. "You have something to say?"

"Of course, Enji Todoroki."

I'd turned around, a smirk as evil as the devil's, spread across Kimi's face. "I have more words to say."

"Such as…"

"Your sister, 'Plain Girl Miya?' She may be beautiful, but she's a single loser with no future. A heroine with smoke abilities isn't cool. The best she can do is obscure visions. Smoke suffocates people, which better suits for a villain, not a hero like her."

Miya mentioned Kimi working at the hostess bar. How obnoxious she was towards Miya, spreading rumors of her scandalous behaviors and mocking her quirk. This woman was an adult bully, never growing out of her impulsiveness.

"After looking into her family history, I'd found you, Enji Todoroki. Your family looks too basic. Why would you marry a bland wife with ice powers? You could have marry me."

Kimi, when we were attending UA High, asked me out several times. I refused, but she'd never stopped. This went on until Kimi's unexpected announcement during graduation rehearsal. I would never marry an immature woman like Sanamaki.

"She's so bland that her children copied her traits to a T. I was glad to splash mud on her."

My chest tightened when Kimi confessed to splashing mud on Rei yesterday morning. Heat seeped under my skin and muscles, a growing ball of rage waiting to explode. I clenched my fists, eyes trembling, but focused on Kimi's sinister grin.

"One day, I picked up my niece from pre-k and this weird-haired woman complained about her attitude. I had enough of her bull-shit and splashed my frap on her apron. Me and my niece laughed at the display I left."

Her laughter echoed within the mall's vast area. My fists clenched harder, nails digging through flesh and blood dripping on the floor. Fuyumi encountered Kimi? She'd never mentioned this, though her apron had coffee stains. That was her doing. I couldn't take it anymore. Letting my outburst will gather attention, so I'd calm down the nerves.

"Endeavor, the number two hero, has more class than you and your lame family. I mean, your youngest son has two colored eyes and hair. He looks like a freak of nature."

She snickered more, which fueled my rage, nerves vibrating. I calmed down again, closed my eyes, and sighed. 'Time for this tyrannical woman to suffer.'

"So, how about you date me and ditch that family?"

"On second thought, I'll talk to you. Let's take a seat."

I'd gestured Kimi with my left hand, the one without the tiny blood marks in its palms. She understood my compliment and followed me to a table. Once we sat down, I cleared my throat, ready to lay the smack-down.

"Have you changed your mind?"

"No, Sanamaki. My family may look simple, but they're special. My son, Shoto, has both my quirk and Rei's. He's the perfect hero for our generation. My other children have lives of their own. Fuyumi's a excellent teacher to children; Natsuo's thinking about college someday; and Touya, although he acts rebellious, cares for his siblings. My wife, Rei, is the sweetest woman. I didn't marry her, not because of her quirk. She was honest to accept the arranged marriage. That got me interested in her. I blame myself for choosing my expectations over my family's well-being. My sister is right; I'm a monster."

Kimi yawned, exhausted of my moving speech. She planted a forearm on the table and leaned forward, a scowl replacing her evil grin. "What's your point?"

"My point is you targeting my family. I won't allow a spoiled woman harm my children and wife. You and your father will suffer the consequences."

"Hah, how are you gonna do that?"

"Are you dense? Who are you teasing now?"

Kimi's expression shifted into worrisome confusion. She leaned against the chair, eyes widened and mouth agape. "Wait… A-Are you…" Her shaky finger pointed at me, just the reaction I was waiting for.

My fiery mask and mustache covered my face, which stunned Kimi. Her face went pale and sweat dripped from her forehead. The makeup she worked so hard streaked downwards, leaving a disgusting impression. "Y-You're ENDEAVOR!?"

Her shrill echoed across the mall again, this time everyone's eyes was on us. I stood up, crossed my arms, and scowled at Sanamaki. "That family you've been mocking is mine. Miya, for your information, isn't pathetic. I'm aware of your abuse on her, even when we were in high school. I wanted to butt in, but my expectations kept me forward. That was a regrettable action."

She got on her hands and knees, head lowered and a mixture of sweat and makeup trickling the tiled floor. "I'm sorry! I didn't know your family was special!"

"I'm not done! There's more I'd discovered about you, Sanamaki. You were the one who placed a bounty on Miya, my sister."

She lifted her head, tears streaking her cheeks and throat hiccuping. "H-How did you know?"

"A friend detailed everything you and your father have been doing."

Hawks called me two days ago about the Sanamaki Incorporation being involved in a black market crisis. They supported an illegal organization by providing money towards illegal support items. Alongside untested support items, the business performed shady actions behind public eyes. Kimi, after looking into my family history, while unaware of my hero identity, called the organization to kill Miya. She almost harmed Rei and Fuyumi twice! Add the verbal teasing of my sons and I grew beyond pissed.

"As punishment, I'll reveal your father's criminal records through social media. I'll also report this to your boss at that host bar."

"Please, don't!" Kimi crawled to me and grabbed my calf. "I'll lose everything. Daddy will disown me and I won't have a place to live!"

"If you want to keep that luxurious life of yours, then use your quirk."

She froze. Just as I thought. Hawks also revealed another shocking twist I'd didn't expect. The reason Sanamaki dismissed herself from the graduation rehearsal twenty years ago? It was because she doesn't have a quirk. She applied to UA High to gain attention as a pro hero. Attention-seeking and arrogant? Those two terms matched Kimi's and her father's actions perfectly.

"You faked a quirk, signed up to UA, and grew egotistical until someone ratted you out."

"Uh…"

"You had to think before someone found out, so you plead your father to get rid of the snitch and performed your dismissal."

"Ah…"

"Not only did you faked a quirk, but you escalated that rotten personality in your adult years. What a despicable woman. You're not worthy of becoming a hero."

I'd collected my things and trudged to the entrance. Sanamaki's wails grew louder, but I paid no attention. Her family should suffer for her behavior not improving. Like with Rimaki's father, I blamed Kimi's upbringing on her father. He should had been strict on Kimi, instead he allowed that behavior to rot. That confrontation took nearly thirty minutes of my time. I had to hurry to the house.

Todoroki Abode (4:30 pm)

The party was small, but doable. I'd invited Izuku, Bakugo, and their families. Asano wasn't invited, as I knew her attitude would repeat last time's mistake. Bakugo doesn't mind that decision, as the party felt casual without Asano's presence. Glad I'd concluded on that choice. Mom baked a delicious vanilla and strawberry cream cake. I took a bite, and it tasted great. So fluffy, sweet, and tangy.

When the gifts arrived, I was nervous. Most of the gifts were easily simple. Izuku gave me a sketchbook to draw out hero costumes. Bakugo gave me a wallet, which I'd found descent. Fuyumi carried a pile of folded clothes to me. Natsuo didn't have any extravagant gifts, but a card with a funny cover was okay. Touya never came, because he went to a friend's house. At least he gave me a gift card to the mall. I'll buy something tomorrow as a thank-you.

Dad, who'd been standing near the corner, glared with intensity. I had a terrible feeling his gift will only be about himself. It was his turn to present his gift, and it was a box, covered in wrapping paper. The paper had flames as its design. Of course, Dad would pick that design. "Here you go, Shoto. I hope you like it."

"What is it?"

Probably a picture frame of himself.

I'd ripped the wrapping paper off the box. What I saw wasn't a picture frame. I saw a soba noodle making kit. Mom and I saw a commercial promoting its product seven years ago. She asked if I would like it for my birthday. I nodded, but that wish never came true. Until Dad stepped up and bought it. My eyes widened over the box's design. I was speechless.

"Happy birthday, Shoto!"

"Don't. It's your special day, so enjoy it."

Never in my life would I see Dad appreciating my birthday over his ambitions. Without speaking, I hugged him back. "Thanks, Dad."

The Next Day (7pm)

Tonight was peaceful than expected. I hadn't seen Kimi in a while. She would stroll in, pose in front of our clients, and watch them gravel at her feet. But she wasn't around. Mt. Lady, a special guest hostess, shared what happened to Kimi. The details were uncomfortably satisfying.

"Her father's company got canceled?"

"Yeah, Facebook and Instagram showed secrets Sanamaki Incorporation have been doing. Supporting an underground organization, employee abuse, and more. Kimi, that self-centering bitch, got arrested yesterday near a mall. Her crimes involved faking a quirk for ten-plus years, placing a bounty without permission, and public disturbance. The biggest crime was dissing Endeavor. Hey, ain't Endeavor your brother?"

Enji told me he encountered Kimi at the mall. She attempted to seduce him, make him divorce Rei, and abandon his family. It sounded awful and her dissing his family was unforgettable. Luckily, Enji knew about Kimi's abuse on me years ago. He apologized for not helping me, as his expectations and our father's death distracted him. I forgave him, but hearing what he did to Kimi and her family was outstanding.

"That much!? How rich is your family?"

I shrugged my shoulders at Mt. Lady. "Ask Endeavor, number two hero in Japan."

Gloria nodded and sipped her white wine. Her client overheard our conversation and hopped in. "The Sanamaki family, after losing its successful business, became an isolated family. Other businesses won't hire Toma for what he committed."

"Yep, Kimi dragged her family into this mess. I should feel sorry for her ass, but she caused you too much distress. She deserves to rot in prison."

I nodded and sipped my glass of wine. My chest felt lighter after knowing Kimi won't bother me or my family again. She brought this upon herself and the consequences will reform her some day. I hope.