Rumi Usagiyama was furious. The rabbit-eared hero was stuck in her hospital bed, staring up at the ceiling and stewing in anger as she waited. It seemed like hours before the door to her room opened once again, and she sat up as best she could. Pain coursed through her abdomen as she did so, but she chose to ignore it as she glared in the direction of the approaching footsteps.

"Did you convince these fuckers to discharge me?" Rumi asked, her expression turning to one of surprise as she caught sight of who had entered. "…oh. Hi?"

"Hey. Rizumu Saku's the name," the woman offered as she kept an arm around Dabi's waist. The man was leaning into her as she guided him into the hospital room, and neither of them looked particularly thrilled to be there. "Hawks is still arguing with the nurses about you. Doesn't sound like a lot of progress is being made."

"Of course not," Rumi spat as she laid back into her pillows with a grunt. "They barely even respond to the damned call bell in this place. Then again, maybe I'm just getting 'special treatment' because of my reputation."

"I know that feeling," Dabi offered as Rizumu helped him into a chair next to Rumi's bed. "So, you're the one who set Mirio up with the Shie Hassaikai, huh?"

"I'm not about to apologize," Rumi replied.

"Don't need you to. I guess… thanks."

Rumi raised a brow as she looked over at the couple, utterly confused.

"What?"

"Mirio's been a big help to both of us," Rizumu explained as she put her hand atop Dabi's. "I know you and Hawks planted him as a mole in the organization, but… he's both decent and really, really shitty at his job at the same time. He's managed to worm his way into becoming an actual friend, and despite a few pretty dire fuck ups… we want to help him out in return. We're not all that concerned with the Hassaikai as an organization, and neither of us is there by choice."

"…well that's shitty," Rumi replied with a frown. "Family matters, I guess?"

"I'm sure you already know some of it, if Mirio's doing his job at all," Dabi accused. "She's royalty around those parts due to her parents, and I got involved to stay with her. That's about it. They're a bunch of assholes who act like it whenever I'm around."

"They're not all assholes," Rizumu said with a roll of her eyes. "I'm not a fan of a lot of what they do, but there are some genuinely good people. Their leader, Arowana, is one of them. He's tried to keep the organization relatively clean and work on building the Shie Hassaikai name back to what it used to be… but it's still a crime family. I get the feeling our tolerance for that sort of thing doesn't match yours."

"At this point, that might depend on the day," Rumi admitted. "Hero society isn't exactly 'clean' either. Hawks and I, and some of the kids at U.A. are trying to do our part to prioritize the shit that actually matters. If the buzz I've heard here and there about what the Hassaikai are up to is true, then all of this is necessary and having you two involved and helping would go a long way."

"What exactly have you heard?" Rizumu asked as she leaned in closer to the bed. "So far as I know, there isn't anything that I'd call major going on. Then again, I don't spend as much time around the base as others. I mostly keep to the club and try to stay out of things."

"I've heard whisperings about something supposedly big. You've never heard of Project Sunbeam?" Rumi asked. "Even in passing?"

"In passing, sure," Rizumu admitted. "But I have no idea what it is. Just heard vague references."

"Mirio asked me about it," Dabi added. "We're planning to head to the warehouse while Arowana's meeting with All Might and see if we can find any leads."

Rumi shifted in bed, trying and failing to get comfortable as her bullet wounds ached.

"Hey, no offense, but… are you sure you're up to it? You went down pretty hard…"

"See, this is what I don't get about you hero types," Dabi started as he shook his head. "We've got an objective that's time-sensitive, so we should go and goddamned get it done. Who cares how I feel, especially given all of my problems right now are self-inflicted. We've only just met, and you're already trying to dial things back because of me. I'll be fine. Results are what matter."

"You're going to have to forgive him," Rizumu said with a sigh. "Just smile and nod, and I'll handle it later. Dabi's had it rough."

"I get it," Rumi acknowledged. "And you're already a lot less rough around the edges than some of the pros. If you two are going to go and see what you can find, then I won't keep you any longer. We should exchange contact info, though. You're sure you want to get involved in this mess?"

Dabi let out a chuckle as he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head.

"There is nothing I like more than stirring up trouble."

Overhaul stood before the full-length mirror in his new room, buttoning his equally unfamiliar vest. The piece of clothing was deep purple in color and featured gold buttons that had been polished to a mirror sheen. It was a nice look, though one that the man wasn't at-all used to. Given that the vest wasn't custom, it was a bit tight… but the thought quickly left Overhaul's mind as a clattering noise on his bedside table drew his attention.

His phone was vibrating against the wood, jittering and threatening to fall before Overhaul moved to swipe it off the furniture. Upon seeing who the message was from, he had wished he hadn't bothered.

Mirio, 10:24 AM

Hey man. Congrats again on the new role. Good luck on your first day!

Overhaul rolled his eyes and moved to pocket the device, only for it to buzz again.

Mirio, 10:24 AM

Sorry for making things tense between us and just in general by making so many mistakes. I'm not perfect, and I get caught up in the excitement of opportunity sometimes.

Mirio, 10:25 AM

Anyway, if there's anyone that can protect the boss during something like a meeting with All Might, it's you. You've got sharp eyes and you're dedicated. I think you're gonna go far. Keep it up.

Overhaul closed his eyes and took a deep breath. While he was annoyed and felt that he had every right to be, he wasn't quite sure why he hated the new arrival so much. What Mirio had said was true, after all- they would likely be working together a lot in the coming days.

Thanks. Now leave me alone.

Overhaul watched a thumbs up emoji pop up in reply before putting his phone away with a string of curses. He knew that replying would only lead to more badgering later on… but being angry was tiring, and he needed to stay focused.

Upon pulling on his suit jacket, his phone vibrated yet again… and Overhaul's anger flared as he wrenched it free from his pocket. He was ready to make a call and had one hand on his mask to pull it down before he noticed that the message wasn't from Mirio at all.

Aegis, 10:26 AM

Where are you? The rest of us are waiting.

A pulse of panic shot through Overhaul's heart as he frantically tapped out a reply to his new colleague and the rest of the group included in the new chat.

On my way now. Upstairs lounge?

Chronostasis, 10:26 AM

Affirmative.

With a quick little nod to himself, Overhaul tightened his tie beneath his vest and turned away from the mirror. He left the room in short order, only to freeze in place as he nearly ran into a floating suit identical to his own waiting just outside his door. The only difference was the feminine figure that the suit outlined, and the vest beneath the jacket was a deep green rather than the purple he wore.

"…Hagakure?" Overhaul asked, his voice somewhat muffled by his mask. "What are you doing here? And wearing that?"

"Hello… partner," the young woman said, pressing an invisible finger to Overhaul's chest. He could practically hear the smile on her lips as she made contact. "Looks like we're Arowana's Five Bullets, now."

"…what?" was all that Overhaul could manage to get out. "You're…"

"Assigned as a bodyguard, just like you," Himitsu answered as the suit transitioned to a hands-on-hips pose. "I threw enough of a fit about being forced out of U.A. by that idiot Togata that he's letting me join his personal protection unit. He gets to keep an eye on me, I get an important job, and you're no longer the only new blood. We all win."

Overhaul paused for a moment and took a step back, regarding the clothing with suspicion.

"Why are you so… insufferably bubbly? This isn't like you."

"Because I'm finally at least close to what I wanted," Himitsu explained as she transitioned to folding her arms across her chest. "Why are you so insufferably stiff? Come on- this is going to be fun. We've both been handicapped with bullshit jobs up until now. As Bullets, we can finally see some action. Get out there and do important stuff for the Hassaikai. In some ways… this is better than being at U.A., and way better than being a doorman. Right?"

"…right," Overhaul agreed. "Do the others know?"

"They're about to find out," Himitsu answered as she took Overhaul's hand and yanked him along. "Come on!"

Overhaul stumbled forward with a hiss, the flesh of his palm pulsating against Himitsu's beneath his new leather gloves.

"I am perfectly capable of walking on my own…"

"Don't want to hear it right now. Are you excited?"

"…no. If anything, I'm… somewhat nervous," the man admitted. "I've heard about the reputation those three have. Living up to such a thing is a tall order."

"Good thing neither of us plans on fucking this up, then," Himitsu said as she tugged Overhaul around a corner. "And luckily for us, they seem pretty friendly off the field. Well… maybe friendly is pushing it. Have you ever interacted with them before?"

"No. Nothing beyond simple nods when one of them returns to base," Overhaul admitted as he finally managed to wrench his hand free of Himitsu's. "Well… that, and Lattice's… attitude."

"He seems fine to me," Himitsu said as her floating suit shrugged. "Maybe it's because he's usually looking at my chest. Or maybe it's because he tends to come back drunk. I'm sure you'll manage to win him over in time."

Overhaul let out a sigh. He was fairly certain that Himitsu looked over her shoulder in response as they began to ascend to the main lobby, but he couldn't tell for sure.

"You are aware that they literally have to respect you because of your position, yes?"

"…I guess. Still, if that's the game they want to play, then I'll make sure they respect you, too. I've seen how hard you work. This is our big break, Overhaul. We should lean on each other."

"If I must," Overhaul resigned. "Leaning on anyone isn't my preferred methodology."

"Yeah? Well… change it," Himitsu suggested. "And maybe don't be so cold and shitty to people who offer you some help and courtesy without strings attached. They're hard to come by, especially around here. Guess that's to be expected in a den of criminals, though."

Overhaul let out a noise of annoyance as he entered the lobby and mulled over Himitsu's words. His mind immediately conjured up the image of someone who fit that description… and may or may not have been a member of the Shie Hassaikai at all.

Author's Note:

More U.A. next time.

-RD