Izuku left the dorms early in the morning – dressed in uniform and with a certain case in hand. He pulled his cap tight before heading towards the distant school. If he was serious about this, about Stain, he had some serious planning to do. "First of all, with all the trouble I've caused, I'm going to be treated liketheblack sheep…" In other words, if a vigilante suddenly popped up in Shiketsu's vicinity – especially one without a Quirk and with Shiketsu-patented gear – he would be the one correctly fingered at. "If my grades dropped in the process, or I was met with bouts of tardiness consistent with sightings, I wouldn't be able to hide…" Knowing this, he had one conclusion: he was going to have to operate within the lines. Of course, his goal didn't have to be stated, but his gear and position would need to be official. "Luckily, I have just the program – the Field Support study… Of course, the school might not be willing to support that… but I'll get to that bridge when I get there…"

Finding Stain was the other problem. "It's not like he's going to advertise his next target, but with nearly twenty victims, there must be some pattern… A link between victims beyond their jobs… Police files are sealed for the most part, but the Hero Fandom and the True Crime nuts somehow always find a way… Not to mention, since Heroes are celebrities, it'd be difficult to hide much…"

Izuku was through the doors of Shiketsu High, and the halls were practically empty with only stragglers here and there. Though, while he tried his best to pay them no mind, they certainly minded him – a stare, an odd whisper. The looks were strange enough, but the fact he heard his name uttered by complete strangers was worse. Media embargo kept his name out of the press, but not from the rumor mill evidently. He shook it off by the time he made his way towards the workshop. The light was red, unoccupied, but the door was open.

Izuku had recalled that students were allowed to access the shop an hour before class. There was a sign-in sheet, of course, and multiple cameras about the room. After dashing ink across a page, he quickly went to his station, abandoning his things, before going to the textile printer. He luckily found it unlocked and thus accessed an old file of his – sending it back to his profile. Pulling it up at his station, he accessed the designs of the body suit he created for the Maneuver Belt. He ditched his blazer and cap before rolling up his dress-shirt's sleeves.

The bulk of the design can remain: a base of spandex with a layer of straps meant to distribute his weight atop it; followed by a layer of Keprotec. Leather was used for padding and protection for abrasions, but clearly not very useful against swords. The replacement would be a layer of weaved Kevlar that would leave only the crotch, inner arms, forearms, inner knees, and calves uncovered. The empty space would be filled by extraneous hard armor: elbow-pads, shoulder-pads, gauntlets, and greaves.

There was also body armor. It would have a soft armor base of Kevlar and Nomex before hard armor would lay over his pectorals and upper back. He planned on using the same system as the Stein-Gauntlet to secure it. Around his abdomen, he'd have a total of four hard armor panels – segmented to ensure some form of mobility.

Of course, he'd need—

"Midoriya?" floated a voice – Uemura, the green-skinned girl with a beak and shell.

Okuma, the boy with orange freckles, hair, and eyes, exclaimed, "Holy shit – you're alive!"

"Yeah…" murmured Izuku. He only spoke to Okuma the one time, "Was that guy-talk…? Or was it girl-talk since he was talking about girls…" He took the adjusted file and sent it back to the printer.

"Yeah?" he echoed. "Dude, you're talkin' like you haven't been gone for three days! I heard you got attacked by the Hero Killer or somethin' – thought you died."

Via Izuku's tapping upon the printer's keyboard, the mannequin in the machine was adjusted to his measurements as the selected materials were loaded automatically. "Well, here I am."

"Are you okay?" asked Uemura.

"Fine," he replied with a shrug before returning to his station.

Okuma followed, "So, you were attacked by the Hero Killer?"

"Why would you ask that?" asked Uemura.

Izuku opened a new file on his system, "Yeah."

"Why are you so nonchalant about it!?" critiqued Uemura.

Izuku turned to her, "Sorry, um…" He fidgeted with his hands, "I hope I didn't worry anyone."

"Nah, you good." Okuma shrugged, leaning against a table, "People are curious as hell, though."

Izuku gave a smile, "Well, I'm glad to pique interest, I guess." He paused, "Just… hm… How interested are people in this?"

Okuma said, "Well, that Hero Course student made a big show of it and then there was the whole flare going off. Hard to hide that."

"True…" said Izuku, drawing the base of the body armor on screen.

Uemura blinked, asking, "What happened to your hair?" Okuma and Izuku turned to her, causing her to fidget, "You used to have long hair…"

"I guess… you could call the Hero Killer … my barber?" joked Izuku. "Heh…" He coughed at the silent stares and nonexistent gestures, "Sorry, uh… that wasn't… funny."

"You must be okay if you're cracking jokes…" said Uemura.

Okuma laughed, "Of course, he's okay – he's walkin' around ain't he?"

"Whatever, come on, we need to hit the sign-in sheet," said Uemura, nudging Okuma's shoulder.

"Yes, yes."

Izuku's gaze lingered on them for a moment before refocusing. "If those two are representative of what everyone thinks… I think I might have more attention on me than I'd like…" Before everything, Izuku was a nobody and there was a comfort in that. But now, he had a feeling that people were paying attention to him. Receiving praise for actions was endearing, but this attention made him feel like an ant underneath a magnifying glass.

Okuma and Uemura had never really spoken to him before. After the cable incident early on in the year, the two bonded over mutual punishment. Good friends with each other with their groups knowing each other second-hand. Needless to say, Izuku was part of neither of these groups. Uemura hadn't spoken to him once. The only time Okuma spoke to him was so that he could figure out the girls Izuku knew. Now, things felt different. Uemura was concerned, but Okuma… he was just curious. And for some reason, it felt familiar like a looming mass of people overlooking him – eyes aglow and mocking smiles on their faces.

"Imagine if you told them what you were planning… Deku, a Hero…? They'd fucking laugh you into next week…!" he snickered.

His fingers dug into his arm before taking a deep breath and shaking his head, "I was right, though… Breaking the rules will not be easy… Better off following them…" He took a breath, "How am I going to convince Mr. Abraham to sign off on me…?" He spotted the time in the corner of the screen, "Another time… I should wrap up what I can and get moving for class…"

-XXX-

Ashido Mina would consider herself a people-person and that would, of course, entail reading people. She wouldn't call herself an expert, but the signs were pretty apparent. Midoriya was seated at the group's lunch table in the cafeteria – a welcome sight after these past few days. Though, he seemed less than comfortable. He was leaning over the table, propping up his arm and ducking his head underneath it. Chopsticks picked at his food while his other hand scratched the back of his neck.

Mina took a breath before pulling a smile and skipping over to the table, "Hey, hey, Midori!"

"Ashido!" He relaxed – almost relieved, "Hey."

"You okay?" she asked, taking a seat.

"Uh…" He scratched his cheek, "Could you take a look around…"

"Hm?" she hummed, taking said look.

Midoriya coughed, straightening and picking at his shirt, "Uh, it just feels like people are staring at me…" He forced a chuckle, "I thought I'd be okay, but sitting in that classroom with seventeen pairs of eyes locked on me… Feels…" He hesitated.

Mina scratched her cheek, "Hey… ya know…" She chuckled, fidgeting with her hands, "I was a late bloomer when it came to my Quirk." She outstretched her arm, displaying it, "When I hit four, I started getting these pink splotches spreading across me. My eyes looked like I was using ink for eye drops and I got a bunch of headaches from these things sprouting from my skull." She crossed her arms, leaning on the table, "It's not like I could hide it, ya know? It took about six months for my… transformation to finish." Her gaze fell, "I looked like a freak – every day just festering and growing. How could people not stare, right?" She straightened, "I kinda know where you're at – maybe not completely, but…" She offered, "It'll either go away or you'll get used to it – or a bit of both."

"I just… gotta endure, huh?" concluded Midoriya.

She winced, "Sucks to say…"

"I think I can manage that," said Midoriya. He took a breath, "Thank you… for sharing that."

"I already got your life's story – ain't right for it to be a one-way trade," she said.

He chuckled, "I guess you got a good amount of it, yeah…" His face contorted as if he were considering something before rubbing his chin, "Hey… Could I… tell you something?"

"Ooh, sharing secrets?" she giggled. "Psychiatrist Ashido Mina is ready!"

Midoriya fidgeted for a moment before taking another breath, "Would—"

Kaminari's voice tore between the two, "Midori! You're here!" He shook his head as he took a seat, "You got discharged – when?"

Midoriya answered, "Yesterday, I meant to text but it was so late in the day, and I wasn't sure if you were working."

"It's just good to see you up and running. How was class – it wasn't too hard to get back in, right?" asked Kaminari.

"Not at all – like I barely left," said Midoriya.

Ashido blinked as the usual suspects filled out the table. Whatever opening was there had shut tight. Midoriya had whatever walls that any quiet person had. He maintained distance, talked when needed, and tried not to share. However, at that moment, those barriers were lowered for just a moment, but suddenly locked up tighter than a bank safe. There was no way she'd be able to pick up that conversation – she was going to be forced to wait for those walls to drop once again.

It made her ponder, "What were you doing to say, Midori…?"

-XXX-

"I'm sure you remember – the board expects some form of punishment for your part in the… incident."

Izuku nodded as he stood before Mr. Abraham and his desk in the workshop. The other students were lost in their current project – Support Arms: a Support Item with offensive capabilities that either directly link or synchronize with a Hero's Quirk. The selection of Hero and said Quirk would've been proposed during the outlining phase; either theoretically for a famous Hero or something for a student to test and use. Though, lost was a relative term considering how about six people were stealing glances at him.

"Well, as you might know, as the Support Course teacher, I am the technical expert when it comes to the school's Hero Learning Equipment," said Mr. Abraham. "So, as to serve as your detention, you will be assisting me in maintenance, repairs." He adjusted the papers on his desk, "I wish I could've found time earlier to go over this with you, but the curriculum is tightly scheduled, especially with the Work Studies coming up. Now, I'm sure I've taken enough of your time – we will begin this routine tomorrow."

"Actually, I had a question… about the Work Studies," said Izuku, hesitating with nearly every syllable. "Is this too early…? Fuck… Too late now…" He stood as stiff as a board as he stated, "I was curious about the Field Support program."

Mr. Abraham's face became proof of the universe's expansion as his eyebrows rose far above his eyes, "Field—Midoriya… I… It remains… Mr. Midoriya, are you legitimately considering the Field Support Work-Study?"

"Oh, boy…" He coughed, "Yes."

"I… After everything I suspected…" He trailed off before coughing, "I… I'm not sure that's best for you."

"Is it still available?"

"Yes…" Mr. Abraham adjusted his seat, leaning forward, "Mr. Midoriya, I'm not sure if it would be right to allow you to enter the program." He pinched his brow, "Perhaps not 'right', but rather safe." He focused his gaze, "Mr. Midoriya, you experienced something that even some Heroes may not face." He shook his head, "There's no beating around the bush, you died."

"And here I am," quickly said Izuku. "Look, I… I know what happened – I was there; I'm still interested in the program."

Mr. Abraham's face contorted, "I… I don't know." He scratched his cheek, "I feel as if it would be irresponsible to put you out there again."

"What if… Dr. Yaritezawa signed off on my health?" offered Izuku.

Conflict seemed to ease on the man's face, "That… would ease things…" He rubbed his chin, "I'm just a Support Course teacher… I'll need another opinion…"

"What if I could get a recommendation?"

"A recommendation?"

Izuku's internal voice cracked, "Yeah, what the hell do you mean by that, buddy…?" He thought for a moment before saying, "If I could get Mr. Haimawari, or even a Hero, to cosign the idea?"

Mr. Abraham raised a brow, "That might be difficult to get, Mr. Midoriya."

Izuku gritted his teeth behind his smile, "Y-Yep…"

"Hm…" Mr. Abraham leaned into his chair, offering, "I would… be willing to accept the signature of your mother as well." He smiled, "The recommendation from Hero or teacher would be of your professionalism and character. Your mother can speak for all of those as well as your personal health."

He internally cringed before, "So…"

Mr. Abraham relented with a sigh, "I won't block you from the program, Mr. Midoriya. So, as long as we can attest to your abilities and your health, I see no problem in your entry."

"Great," said Izuku.

"Do you require a new copy of the sign-up sheet?"

Izuku nodded, "Yes, please."

"I'll add a few more lines for the extra signatures – it'll be ready by the end of class," said Mr. Abraham.

Izuku bowed, "Thank you." He turned, making his way back to his station, "God… I had no plan… How in the hell am I going to get a recommendation…?! Mom would never sign off on it…!" He pinched his brow, internally groaning.

"You're entering the Field Support program?" asked Fujimori at his station, stopping Izuku.

"Gonna try to."

Fujimori smiled, "Me, too." He turned back around, waving, "Good luck!"

Izuku blinked, "…" He nodded to himself before walking away, "Thanks…" He took a deep breath, "You can do this… You can do it…" He wiped his face as he made his way to his station, "Detention will put you in contact with Mr. Haimawari… It'll be your best bet…" He picked up the War-Hammer, "Support Arms…Closest thing I've done like that was this thing…" He blinked, "Ya know it's more like a Kanabo than a hammer or even a sword…"

"Okuma!" shouted Uemura.

"What!?" cried he as his headphones were yanked from his head.

The guy stepped away from the workbench as she snapped off the machine, "Your headphones almost got caught in the grinder again!" She shook her head, "I keep telling you to get some wireless headphones!"

"Alright, stop yelling!" he groaned.

Izuku pondered for a moment, "Hm…" He then fished out his phone and sent a quick text to Jirou.

Izuku: [Hey, I have a Support Course project – thought of you. Could I have your permission for your costume files?]

Jirou: [I'm in mid of class]

[Whatre you making?]

Izuku: [Surprise?]

Jirou: [I'll talk to Mr Haimawari]

[Uemura was my Support partner, she might have notes on Quirk]

[Don't make anything weird.]

Izuku: [(•‿]

Jirou: [(o﹏o)]

-XXX-

"Boss, you're brooding again."

"Heh… Ya caught me," admitted Iida Tensei as Hashida, Bigshot, handed him an insurance report. The Engine Hero was in uniform, assisting in clearing out the operation room. Operation: Clean Streets, referring to their attempt to catch Stain, was the header to the report. Surveillance equipment was being taken back as well as the communication system and armament station. All were being brought back to the police station with Team Idaten providing assistance – all of its healed manpower. They couldn't do much as they were all still in the process of healing with a few members still in the hospital. Mirko was willing to patrol his agency's territory while they wrapped things up here.

"Thinking about the kid?" asked Hashida.

Tensei chuckled, partially exasperated, "That obvious?"

"A bit." He shrugged, "Seemed fine when I talked to him."

"That's what I'm worried about…" Tensei crossed his arms, "He seemed perfectly fine… But who could be fine after… dying…"

Hashida's face contorted, "I don't know…"

"I'm worried he's hiding it… Pretending he's unaffected so that everyone else continues on…" He rubbed his chin, "Then… I also wonder if…"

"If…?"

Tensei sighed, "He wanted to die…"

Hashida stepped forward, "What?"

"It's what he said when he faced Stain…" Tensei echoed, "I don't have to win… I don't even have to live…"

Hashida slowly crossed his arms, "Jeez… Boss… That's not that much to go off of."

"What?"

Hashida waved his hand, "I spit stupid shit at villains all the time – don't mean I'm suicidal."

"I'm still concerned."

"Are you sure it's concern?"

Tensei blinked, "What?"

"I think you're mixing things here, man." Hashida sighed, "You feel like ya couldn't save him – that you're lesser because you had to get saved." He shook his head, "But that ain't the case. All that means is that you're human. You can't save everyone, and you can't always be on top of things."

Tensei turned, leaning against the wall and hiding a frown, "…"

"And I don't think it's helped that you haven't said anything to the kid." He crossed his arms, "But… I'm starting to think it's because you're worried that the 'fine act' would have him tell you that he's fine or that he forgives you or he doesn't even mind."

"I don't deserve it."

Hashida sighed, "I don't think this is healthy, man. I want to catch Stain too, but that type of motivation is a double-edged sword. I mean ain't it worse to never talk to him?" He stepped into Tensei's view, saying, "Does the kid even know you're grateful that he saved your life? Our job is implicit – unnecessary… a civie, completely different."

Hashida's hand smacked Tensei's shoulder, "Nearly died for you and haven't even got a damn thank you, but ya gonna catch Stain for him? How's that work?" He shook his head, putting his hands on his hips, "If this wasn't my job, I'd be pissed."

Tensei tensed before letting out a sigh, "So, instead of getting rid of the guilt, you're just gonna shift it in another direction."

"That would be manipulative," said Hashida.

Tensei met his eyes, "…" He sighed, slowly relaxing, "I messed things up this time, huh?"

"Failure makes a fool out of all of us," said Hashida. "But luckily, we are always capable of learning and bouncing back."

"I'm going to catch Stain," said Tensei.

"We are," corrected Hashida. "Team Idaten are going to catch him, and make up for the mistake we all made that day."

"We won't underestimate him next time." He turned, looking out the apartment's window, "But first… I have to settle something…" He shivered, "I doubt I'd be able to rid myself of the… discomfort."

"A few words of encouragement from the kid and some handcuffs around that villain's neck will fix that right up," said Hashida, patting his shoulder.

"Right…" Tensei chuckled, patting Hashida back, "Come, we offered to help, but we're just standing around talking."

Hashida punched Tensei's shoulder, "Hey, I was helping – you were the one standing in the corner."

A chuckle, "My apologies then."

-\ XXX /-

AN: Work is so much, folks. Anyway, we're back with a plan, some anxiety, a fuck-up, and a pep-talk. The beginning of the chapter was mainly focused on the suit. Mainly inspired from various Googles of what Batman and Nightwing's suit are made of, but then looking into that information and finding not much of that technology being in reality. So, while inspired by it, I did my best to back peddle into reality, looking into motorcycle race suits and actual body armor. Lunch table was dedicated to having a moment between Ashido and Midoriya. Last chapter giving attention to Shinso and Jirou, trying to establish the group from Midoriya's perspective. Mr. Abraham's reasonable grip but still willingness for Midoriya's entry into the Field Support Work Study. Tested out some a texting format for the story - may or may not be a main stay. Finally, Tensei and Hashida had a Hero-to-Hero talk.

Chapter Title: "What you wish for" - Lyn via "Persona 5 Strikers"

With that, thank you for reading and criticize away!

Update Window: September 20th - 30th

Intended Due Date: September 20th - 25th