Chapter 27: Hosu Aftermath

It is the late morning, the day after Stain's arrest.

Right as he fell unconsciousness, the Heroes on the ground send a call for an ambulance and police officers to come pick him up, as well as take a look at us. Big Bang took this chance to bring Kirinko back to her mother, who is no doubt still panicking and worrying over her.

The unconscious Hero Killer was arrested on the spot, all remaining weapons that he has hidden on him were confiscated and his stump of an arm patched up. I was half expecting him to jolt back into consciousness during all of this and attack the police officers before fleeing into the night, but thankfully that didn't happen.

It still could happen though… Losing an arm didn't stop him from stabbing Endeavor in the shoulder.

Me, Midoriya and Todoroki were all sent to the Hosu General Hospital to get treated for our wounds. Due to our different genders, I was given a different room from the two boys so I didn't get to know how bad their injuries got.

As such, I was left alone on the hospital bed in a spare ward, dressed in a loose hospital gown with bandages covering all the injuries I have sustained from the fight. Stiches on my left shoulder, left shin, right thigh and left forearm, with a possible scarring from the shoulder and forearm wounds; which didn't really bother me much seeing it can't really be seen from under my Hero costume.

I can still move my left hand and fingers well, so I guess I didn't get any lasting nerve damage from the rusty knives. From what the doctor told me; Stain has just barely missed them when he stabbed into my shoulder. Talk about a lucky break.

I did suffer from a minor blood loss though, so I'm still a little lightheaded.

I wasn't able to get much sleep the night before, only a couple of hours of shuteye and nothing more. My mind keeps thinking back to what the Hero Killer has called me, a hypocrite.

"You just wanted the credit of taking down the 'Hero Killer'. You're no Hero, just another glory hound hungry for more prestige."

"You're nothing but a glory hunting hypocrite that spouts empty heroic words for your own selfish desires; a 'fake' who priorities personal fame over everything else, a cancer that plagues the system!"

Those words keep echoing in the back of my mind over the night. At the time, I thought that was just talk of his warped perspective of the modern Pro Heroes, but as I think about it over the night, the truth of his words starts to become clear to me. Despite how I look at it, how I want to justify my actions at the time, I know he is right.

I could have given the information about Hero Killer to Nezu, leak it online, or do anything else. It would have been an easier solution, and wouldn't have cause this much of a legal problem.

But I didn't.

I could have followed Native's instructions and fled with Kirinko, or even try to escape with both of them if given the opportunity. It could have saved at least one of their lives.

But I didn't.

I've convinced myself that I have to be the one to put the stop to him, that I'm the only one that could do this, but in the end, all I wanted was to be the one to stop Stain, the one to put the end to the Hero Killer's career and the glory that comes with it. That's all it has been.

That's all it has always been…

"I truly am a hypocrite…"

*Slide*

"Pardon me."

The ward's door slides open and in walk Ingenium without his signature helmet on. "Ah, you're awake, Tempest."

"Yeah, couldn't really sleep…"

"Rest is an important part of staying healthy, you know." He noted, "It wouldn't do you any good if you don't sleep enough. Especially with what you have gone through last night."

I flinched at his somewhat off-handed comment, "I know that. But…"

He lets out a small sigh in response, "I'll lecture you some other time. You got a visitor."

As he says so, he takes a step to his side as another person walked in, a man in a full black business suit with the head of a dog who I immediately recognized.

"This is the Hosu City's Chief of Police, Tsuragame Kenji."

I knew it! This is the part where the whole reality of the legality of this whole situation comes crashing down on my head. The highest-ranking officer of this city's police precinct coming to speak to me, a student!? That has future bad rep written all over it! Oh man, did my insertion into Iida's role in the plot somehow makes the legal works even worse!?

"Hm, is something the matter, woof?"

"Ah, no! Nothing wrong!" I screams out in a panic, before realizing what I did and let loose a small whimper, "Sorry, sir…"

"It's okay. Just try to relax, woof. I just wanted to ask you some questions."

"I'll…try…"

At least his unique way to speaking has calmed my nerves a little…

"So, you're the first one on the scene, correct?" He asks me, I nodding in response, "Native has sends his report, and he has mentioned you saving him from the Hero Killer, woof. Is that accurate, so far, woof?"

"Y-Yes…"

"And he also mentions you defending him and a civilian child from the Hero Killer, correct, woof?"

"Yes, that's right…"

"When we arrested the Hero Killer, he was suffering from several broken bones among his many serious injuries, woof." He pointed out, I grimaced at his indication, "And your records at UA has mentioned that you have been trained in unarmed combat, woof. Am I right, so far?"

"…Yes…"

This is it! I'm definitely going to get screwed over!

"…I am sure you are aware of the laws concerning the usage of quirks, woof. The same laws that gave rise to the profession of 'Hero'. The reason this authorization of the use of such powers, powers that could so easily kill, was wildly supported by the public is because your predecessors acted accordingly to said laws, woof. But those without permission, without the explicit permission from the police and powers that be, inflicted harm upon an individual, even if that individual is someone like the Hero Killer, such actions would be a stunning breach of the law, woof."

"As such, you, and your Pro Hero mentor Ingenium, must be dealt with strictly and impartially. Am I clear on that, woof?"

"…Yes… sir…" I swallowed my spit before speaking up, "But… if it's fine with you, can Ingenium not get punished for this…?"

"I am pretty clear that this must be dealt–"

"I'm the one that acted against his orders!" I cried out, "I'm the one that engaged with the Hero Killer first without informing anyone! I'm the one to be blame with all of this, not him! He has followed the rules accordingly, not me."

I've chosen Ingenium for the sole purpose of taking Stain down. He didn't deserve to go down with me like this…

"A sidekick's actions, even an intern's actions, are the responsibility of the Hero that hired them, woof. He is partly to blame for not disciplining you enough."

"But he…!"

"Tempest, calm down." Ingenium tells me, "Let him finish."

"Eh?"

"Well, that sums up what I'm obligated to say as part of the police." The dog-headed chief stated, "The real issue is whether or not to deal with this issue publicly, woof. If we let the story out as it is, you and the two boys who were with you would be lauded by the public, but you wouldn't be able to avoid punishment."

"However, if we keep all this nasty business to ourselves, the Hero Killer's injuries will support the story of Endeavor was a key operative in taking him down. He'll receive all the accolades, woof. Thankfully, you managed to get him out into the open and there are many witnesses to his arrest that would support that story, woof. But in that case, all your decisive actions and achievements will remain unknown to the general public, with the exception of a few people."

He is most likely referring to Kirinko and her mother. After all, it's not like you can bribe a kid to remain silent. Although…

"So, what do you say!?" He states with a thumbs-up, "I'm an understanding man, and I'm not one to purse charges over this admittedly massive indiscretion, woof! Especially to such a promising young lady!"

I let out a small sigh of relief at the idea, before bowing to him, "Thank you, sir. For everything."

"…the world is an unfair place." Tsuragame stated, "You'll receive none of the commendations that you might have otherwise. But, at the very least…" He bows his head to me, "As someone invested in keeping the peace, I thank you."

"A-Ah! I-It's fine!" I assures him nervously. For the chief of police to bow to me of all people…? I'm not sure what to think of that.

"I'm best be off, woof." He tells me as he walks out the ward, "I have to inform the two boys of their shared fate, woof."

I'm not sure what to think of that comment, so I stopped thinking about it.

As the ward's door slides close, I'm left alone with Ingenium.

"…"

"Ingenium, I–OW!"

A chop from him slams into my head hard.

"That's for your actions." He noted, a trace of anger in his tone, "What were you thinkning!? I gave you specific instructions to inform us and then run if face with a villain, not the other way around."

"I-I know. But I saw Native was about to get killed, and I just… reacted."

"Hah… not sure if I should commend you for acting like a true Hero, or scold you for your reckless actions…" He groaned, "Listen, you are a student, a minor who has no license and the authorization to act as a Hero. Thankfully, Chief Tsuragame is nice enough to swipe all of this under the rug, but you could have gotten into a lot of legal problems for your actions. I'm sure Tatsuya-san has taught you that in school at least."

"Y-Yes sir… I'm sorry…"

"Well, that's it for me. You'll need to write a report for me by tonight, so here's a form to get you started." He took out a folded form from his pockets along with a pen and my phone, "You also might want to check your messages. It has been ringing nonstop for the past hour or so."

"Ah." Don't tell me…

I took them from him and unlocked my phone. Sure enough, there are at least several dozens of messages from Tsuyu, Taikou, Shinsou, Kirishima, Nemuri-nee, and my dad; with dad contributing to a good third of them.

*PING*

And just as I read through my message box, another of the same message from dad popped up.

Dad: call me. NOW

"Oh boy…"

"Yeah, I kind of figured it would be that…" Ingenium nervously chuckled, "I have to head back to HQ, so I'll leave you to it."

"O-Okay."

"And Tempest." He stops at the opened door before turning to face me, "Whatever that Hero Killer told you, know this. What you did back there saved two lives, lawfully correct or not. That's not being a hypocrite, that's called being a Hero. And don't let anyone say otherwise, okay?"

I found myself choking up at his words. I've gone against his instructions, nearly got him into legal trouble, and yet, he still considers me worthy of being a Hero. I… I…

I rubbed away the tears before turning to him and bowing. "Thank you…"

"No problem." He smiles at me, "Now, you might want to call your dad. He has just messaged me to do just that. Word of advice, you might want to turn down the volume. He can get really loud."

I let out a nervous sigh at that as he leaves the ward. I look down at my phone, took a deep breath before dials his number and brace myself.

A single ring later…

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?"

"I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking!"

"DAMN RIGHT YOU WEREN'T! Ingenium told me everything, and I have a lot to say to you! First of all…"

I spent the rest of the morning just listening to dad lecturing me over the phone. My ears wouldn't stop ringing for at least an hour after that…


"What is with you and not asking for help? I could have headed right there if you have called."

"I've left my phone in my room. Besides, aren't you on the other end of Japan right now?"

Taikou groaned into his phone, glancing around at his current location that is Tottori city, "That's true, unfortunately… How are your injuries?"

"They aren't that serious, all things considered. Some need a little stitching up, but that's about it." His childhood friend informs him, "There might be a scar left behind, though."

"Considering that you just tussle with the Hero Killer, a scar might be a small price to pay for not being dead."

"It's not really that visible unless I remove my clothes, so it's fine."

He let loose another groan at her words.

When he saw the news that morning, he immediately sent a message to her and urgently waited a reply. He did not expect for her to call back some time in the afternoon and inform him that she tussled with the Stain of all people. Seeing as she was somewhat expecting something to happen during this week, he wasn't that surprised.

"You know, Nemuri-san is going to freak out when she finds out." He pointed out and let loose a chuckle when he heard her gasp.

"Oh lord, have mercy…"

"I'll be there at your funeral."

"Don't jinx it!"

"Hehehe." He chuckles, "So, seeing that you are hospitalized, I take it that your week-long internship is over?"

"Not quite. I still got to fill in my report of the incident, and I still have the last day to pack up."

"Ah, paperwork. Still can't believe that's part of being a Hero too."

"Oi, Blazer!" His mentor, the Rabbit Hero: Miriko calls out to him, "Get off your damn phone! It's villain time!"

"Got it!"

"Blazer? Really?"

"It's good name! Urgh, I'll call you back!"

He hung up before following the rabbit-themed amazon down the roof of the skyscraper they were perched on just moments ago. With a step on the glass window, his feet blaze to life as he follows his mentor towards the following building, Miriko jumping from building to building without any effort.

"So? How's your girl?" She asks him.

"My what!?" He shouted while nearly stopping his flame output from sheer shock.

"From what it sounds like, you are talking to your girlfriend."

"Oh, Genko is NOT my girlfriend!"

"Ah, one-sided, huh? Heh, that's rough, buddy."

"We're not like that!"

He couldn't convince her otherwise for the rest of the week.


To Be Continued…


Omake

"Oh my god, what did you do!?" Midnight screams in horror when she saw her 12-year-old niece walked into the house with her bangs a completely uneven mess.

"She tries to cut her bangs." Her childhood friend tells her.

"Are you serious!? You couldn't even go to a salon for it!?"

"I didn't think it would be that difficult." She shrugs her shoulder.

"Urgh!" She pulls her out of the house by her arm, "Listen, you are a young lady now, so you have to start taking care of your looks! Your face, your hair, your skin, you need to take good care of all of those!"

"That sounds like a huge pain!"

"That it is, but it is worth the effort, I assure you." She tells her, "A Hero has to look her best 24/7 after all. And a Hero worthy of Hermes has to look stunning to match."

"Ah…"

"Now, after you get your hair done, we're going to get you some hair products. And a facemask. Oh, some moisturizer would be nice!"


And done! Wow, didn't think I would finish this chapter this fast! Then again, it is on the shorter side, but there's not much I can say about the aftermath of the arc, especially with the epic as hell fight from the previous chapter.

So, yes. This chapter is pretty short, but the aftermath of the Stain arc is pretty short, all things considered, so I guess it's fair.

I was planning on placing in a scene where Genko apologizes to Midoriya and Todoroki, but I feel like that is a little too out of character for her to do. And I couldn't really write the interaction well enough to be readable, so I sadly has to remove it.

That being said, I pray for everyone to take good care of yourselves, wash your hands, practice social distancing and try to stay home if you aren't working, and stay healthy!

With that, I thank you for reading this!