With the bright light of the rising sun piercing the blanket of gray above, their near-empty car was filled with a pale bloom. In spite of the heat of the blossoming monsoon season, it felt cold. "Maybe, it's the A/C…" thought Mina. Or maybe it was that look on Midoriya's face. It wasn't a cold glare out the door's window or a rigidness held in his features. If anything, his face was almost completely lax if not for his shut jaw. "Half expecting his eyes to start drifting in different directions…"

"Midori?" she called.

"Hm?" he hummed.

She offered, "Detroit."

His eyes refocused, shifting to her. "On the train?"

She shrugged, "They have headphones in."

"I…" He let out a breath. "I don't know."

She resisted rolling her eyes. "Come on–"

He laughed, "I-I mean… I don't know how to word it." He sighed, "I just… I feel like I… I screwed up. With my Mom…"

"Nothing else lingering about last night?" she offered.

"What happened to me…" he muttered. "I think I know…"

"Okay?"

"Back after the Sports Festival, when I was… under, apparently, Mirko brought Recovery-Girl to the hospital."

"That Hero working out of U.A.?"

Midoriya nodded, "She used her Quirk during my… surgery. She and Dr. Yaritezawa made it clear that they were going to be… side effects.

Yesterday, after the attack, I had two wounds. One on my forehead and the other on my chest. Small breaks where the spikes got a little too close for comfort. About an hour later, when we were having lunch. They were healed - no scabs or bumps. Scar tissue in the same shape was left behind. When they healed, they burned, and this morning…" He lifted his bangs, revealing his blemishless forehead. "Gone." He shrugged, "Scars fade. They don't vanish overnight usually." He tapped on his phone in his pocket. "I checked."

Mina blinked, taking all of that in. "So…" She shook her head. "That fever was you… healing?"

He nodded, "The big one is still here, but it's… faded a bit. I don't think it's as prominent as it was before."

"Whoa…"

"Neither Recovery-Girl or Dr. Yaritezawa mentioned this." Midoriya shrugged, "All they talked about was an overactive metabolism. Maybe a hyper immune system, but that's all I can remember."

"That's… crazy…" she muttered. Mina shook her head. "Have you told Dr. Yaritezawa? Or your Mom?"

"No." Her face contorted. "I'm still not sure." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just… I think…" He sighed, "It's just a theory."

"Midoriya."

"Ashido, I…"

Mina frowned, "Your Mom is worried about you. How could you not tell her?"

"Because I don't want to be stuck in a clinic today." Midoriya pushed off the wall he leaned on, pacing before her. "I don't want to be in a small room with my Mom: mad, stressed out, and terrified. And, don't even get me started on Dr. Yaritezawa. Stabbing me with her disappointment because I didn't tell her as soon as it happened.

I'm… just going to Shiketsu today. To the workshop." His back found the panel he leaned on again. "And that's just… where I want to be right now." His hand rubbed his bicep as his gaze lowered.

Mina blinked, "I…." She nodded, "I get that." He looked up at her. "Tinkerer got to tinker?"

Midoriya gave a small smile. "Yeah, I guess…" He shook his head. "Oh, how the turned tables have spun…"

She laughed, "W-What?"

"Nothing." He cleared his throat. "Internship's almost over…" He tilted his head. "You guys got anything planned for your last day?"

She said, "Oh, um… I think they mentioned doing something like a pizza party or something."

"I could go for pizza…" He blinked, one eye at a time, again. "It's a Saturday."

"Pick-your-own-lunch day, you could get pizza," finished Mina.

"I could get pizza."

"I'm just surprised you're not getting a pork cutlet bowl." As she saw the light enter his eyes and brighten his face, she laughed, "Oh, no."

"I could…" he muttered, slowly nodding. He gasped, "I could get both… Order pizza on the way and pork cutlet out of the cafeteria."

"Can you finish all of that?"

"Yeah." He shrugged, "It's weird… even after last night and breakfast, I'm still hungry."

Mina raised a brow. "Luckily, unlike everything else going on with you, there's a pretty easy fix for that."

Midoriya chuckled at that.

-XXX-

"Sorry for worrying you."

Denki breathed a little easier when he got a message from Midoriya. "Short and sweet…," he thought as his cab to the agency jumped and shifted. "We were finally able to talk…" He fidgeted with his phone before staring out of a window. "About nothing, but… better than nothing…"

"You're out of your league…" he recalled.

Denki had no idea what that piece of work called Bakugou looked like, but that voice was as clear as day. It grated his ears like nails on a chalkboard. "Who the hell was he to treat someone like that anyway…?"

"Out of your league," he muttered. A turn of phrase that practically everyone knows, "But, of course, I have to spout out the same shit…" He shook his head. "Did I sound like that…? When I said those words is that who you saw in me…?"

He chewed the inside of his cheek before his jaw shifted. "Even if I have a point…" His thumb rubbed against the screen. "Even if I'm just worried…" He shook his head before unlocking his screen.

Denki: [wish I had told you about team idaten before I went]

[you could've told me you were famous]

Midoriya: [They didn't mention the nickname did they?]

Denki: [oh no]

[what nickname?]

Midoriya: [Don't worry about it.]

Denki: [alright]

[a new dog cafe opened near the school

[its religious themed]

Midoriya: [Religious-themed?]

Denki: [yeh]

[just one dog tho]

[loves broccoli]

[his names little savior]

Midoriya: [Should've been a cat cafe.]

[For the biggest stretch I've ever seen.]

[Overplayed your hand with the broccoli bit.]

Denki: [ashido wouldve laughed]

Midoriya: [She did.]

[Privacy means nothing on this train.]

Denki chortled at his phone. "No more random ponderings…" He took a deep breath. "I don't have much time left with our internship, but I gotta spend the rest of it following Ingenium's lead…" He smiled, "I've learned more about my Quirk, and if I'm lucky… or unlucky, I might get a chance to put it to work…"

Recalling words that were spoken when all he said was 'whey', he muttered, "In spite of myself, I might just manage something worthwhile."

-XXX-

Hitoshi walked alongside Ashido as they took the trek from the train station to Woods' agency. The conversation between Midoriya and Hitoshi was brief on the train. It was simply a check-in. Midoriya was 'fine' as always, but Hitoshi did tuck Bakugou's name into a corner of his mind. Midoriya may not have spoken of him, but from what he understood, Bakugou wasn't someone to ignore if he ever popped back up again.

Though Midoriya wasn't with them right then, Hitoshi refocused and asked Ashido. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm good," said Ashido. "I admit I kinda expected the Midoriyas' to be the last place I run into drama."

"Yeah, they don't seem the type."

"I feel good about it all though."

"So…"

"I'm glad I did this." Mina chuckled, "Probably not gonna do it again, though."

"Bit off more than you can chew?"

"A little, but…", she trailed off for a moment. "Honestly, I'm not sure if me sticking around would help things…" She teetered her head. "Like… don't get me wrong. I think I did help."

"Humble," said Shinso with a roll of his eyes.

She smacked his shoulder with a bemused look. "Shush." She shook her head. "There's just some stuff they have to work out without a third wheel."

"Hm…" acknowledged Hitoshi. "Huh…? Did you ever mention what your family had to say about the whole staying over thing?"

"Uh…" She shrugged, "My little brother misses me, but… I don't think my parents minded that much."

"They didn't say anything?"

"Well, the usual. Stay safe. Call us if you need anything."

"No check-ins?"

Ashido reasoned, waving her hand. "My parents have work. My mom works mornings, and dad works overnight. It doesn't really leave a lot of free time with both of them, and most of their time off is dedicated to sleeping anyway."

"I text my little brother, but he doesn't respond usually," she added. "But, he sends me a lot of funny videos whenever he finds them." She tilted her head. "I do kinda think I disappointed him with this whole sleepover thing, but I can make it up to him."

"Oh?"

"His birthday's coming up." She pumped her fists. "I'll plan something big!" She laughed, almost evilly. "All the bells and whistles in play!"

Hitoshi smiled, "Someone sounds confident."

"Of course! No one knows my little brother better than moi," she concluded, placing a hand on her chest.

Hitoshi chuckled, "You just never stop planning things."

"What can I say?" she cooed. "I'm a carer. I care about things a lot."

"Right," he chuckled as he pulled open the front door for her before they both slipped within the agency.

-XXX-

With the humid-filled heat rising and the place having a less than likely chance of having A/C, Yu wasn't going to dress up in a pantsuit for a Support Workshop visit. She still might regret the jeans, but she'll compensate with a breathable blouse. Then, her disguise came into play.

"The benefit of being a Hero with my hair loose is that when I put it up, people have a harder time recognizing me…" In the mirror, she looked at the miraculous bun that her hair was in. It was just messy enough to give a casual feel, but not so much so that the adult nature of the bun was gone.

"Ooh, look at you," she cooed. She pulled out a pair of sunglasses, posing with them on. "Someone's lookin' cute, today!" Taking advantage of the acoustics of the bathroom, she sang to herself, gesturing to her high-heeled boots. "And I get to feel tall without using my Quirk~!"

She did a few more poses in front of the mirror before slowing to a stop. "…"

Her gaze lowered, "Is it sad that this is the only time I've gotten to dress up in a while?" Her head fell, "Is it sad that I consider this dressing up?"

A knock on the door came before Kaguya's voice, "Ms. Takeyama?"

Yu nearly fell upon the tiles. "Y-Yes!?"

"Ichimoku and Mr. Midoriya are ready in the van downstairs," was the reply.

"Already?" She made her way to the door, pulling it open. "What? Did they head straight down there as soon as Midoriya showed up?"

"Uh, well, yes," said Kaguya.

Yu blinked, "Oh…" She started out of the restroom and towards the elevator. "Well, someone could've told me."

Kaguya coughed, "Ichimoku told us to give your…" She tilted her head. "Mirror Time?"

Yu knew there was a blush on her face when she turned to her office worker. "I don't do it that often!" She shook her head. "Ugh, Ichimoku!" She had half the mind to stomp towards the elevator, but it's been a while since she used these heels and she didn't want to break them.

It wasn't too long before she was walking towards the van, and her righteous anger subsided in the face of Midoriya Izuku. "He looks tired…," she thought.

She was almost certain that her concern was painted plainly across her face when he gave a small smile and a shrug. "You look like you're in a good mood," he said.

Yu shrugged, "Yeah, well… I…" She put her hands on her hips. "I guess I had a good cry… Works wonders."

He tilted his head. "You think?"

She nodded, "Sometimes. A way to get that weight off your shoulders."

"Hey, you two, ready to rocket?" called Ichimoku from the driver's seat.

Midoriya opened the back doors of the van. "Oh, yeah. I don't need any Mirror Time."

Yu's accusing finger leveled at the driver over her intern's shoulder. "How many people did you say that in front of!?"

Ichimoku looked into the rearview mirror blankly. "Uh…"

"I'm sitting shotgun," declared Yu as Midoriya climbed in.

Ichimoku looked over his shoulder. "Um, uh, actually, don't you think we should let the k–"

Midoriya said, "Oh, no, the rule of dibs applies. Have at it," as Yu closed the back doors before going around to the passenger door.

"Traitor," she heard as she opened the door.

"Pretty sure what I just did makes me the opposite, actually."

Yu climbed into her seat, turning to the younger. "Yes it does. You're my favorite intern."

Midoriya nodded, "I'm your only intern."

She then turned to her officer manager, smacking his shoulder. "What the hell do you mean by Mirror Time!?"

"You check yourself out in the mirror!" he cried as he vaguely defended himself with an outstretched hand.

"I don't do that all the time!"

"Yeah, I know," he replied. "You only ever do it when you're not wearing your Hero costume."

"No, I don't."

Ichimoku laughed, "Yeah, you do. I can list several times when it made you late for things."

Yu opened and shut her mouth a few times before she huffed, "Shut up."

He chuckled, "You're the boss."

She crossed her arms, looking out her door's window.

The van rumbled to life before Ichimoku drove all three of them out onto the street. "Long drive ahead of us… Taking the train as a celebrity is a no-go, though, so what's the alternative…?"

Yu turned her head when she heard Midoriya ask, "How much fabric are in these spools?"

"Enough for about four costumes," Ichimoku answered. "Use them sparingly. We need most of it to fix up her costume."

"Understood." He blinked for a moment before looking forward. "Oh, do you think we can get pizza on the way?"

"Pizza?" echoed Ichimoku.

Yu patted Ichimoku's shoulder. "I could go for some pizza too actually."

"Ok…"

"Think we can expense it?" she asked.

"No."

Yu pouted, "Darn…"

-XXX-

"Damn kid… What do they feed you?"

Izuku grunted as he pulled the fabric spools onto both of his shoulders. "Pizza, preferably." They were a block away from Shiketsu's front gates. They couldn't let people put two and two together when it came to their Hero and van.

"We can't expense it," said Ichimoku.

Izuku huffed, balancing carefully. "Who… cares about expanding it. Just buy a pizza."

"Expense."

"That's what I said."

"No, it wasn't."

Izuku wobbled in place. "Shush! These are heavy - they're frying up brain cells."

"Are you sure you don't need help?" asked Takeyama.

He turned, "It's too late! We've already started." He took a few breaths. "Let's go!" he cried as he 'speedwalked' down the sidewalk.

Ichimoku spoke to Takeyama. "I'll head back to the office." He offered, "You two stay safe."

Izuku's pretty sure that their conversation went on for a bit, but he didn't hear any of that. One: he already left. Two: the spools were really heavy, it was causing his blood to pump a lot, and that was all he could really hear. D: he was a bit lightheaded, but he was halfway there and he wasn't going to quit.

He finally took a break when he made it to the gate. He slowly set the spools back down between pants and grunts. After a few steady breaths, he could finally hear the clack of heels rushing after him.

"Jeez, kid!" cried Takeyama, carrying his costume case. "You could wait a minute."

Izuku was struggling. "I… Phew… Uh… I…"

"God, you're so red!" she said. "Huh, heh… You look like a tomato…"

"S… Shut…" he muttered. "Shut your mouth…"

"How rude, Mr. Midoriya," said the approaching teacher, pushing a rolling cart ahead of him. "That's no way to speak to your boss."

"Mr… Abraham…" Izuku was still struggling.

"Oh, I'm not his boss. I'm his visiting cousin," said Takeyama.

Izuku cleared his throat as he straightened his back. "W-Wait, I thought… the cover was that you were my aunt?"

"I'm not that old," countered Takeyama with the wave of her hand.

"The other Support Course students are still out for their internships - all years," explained Mr. Abraham. As he helped Izuku load the cart, he added, "The only students on campus are General Studies, and class is in session.

Listen to me…," he chuckled. "This all sounds rather exciting. Like espionage." He shook his head. "But film espionage; nothing like reality."

"You have experience?" asked Takeyama.

Mr. Abraham waved his hand. "As a witness rather than a participant. I-Island was a flame to moths trying to dole out corporate secrets." He rolled his eyes. "Whenever someone was caught or something leaked, they'd pack all of us into a lecture hall on security and so on. It was very boring."

"Speaking at those is just as boring," said Takeyama.

Mr. Abraham began to push the cart. "Unless you have stage fright."

"Do you have stage fright, Mr. Abraham?" asked Izuku.

"I was young once."

That earned a chuckle from Takeyama and Izuku before he said, "We should get going before someone peeks out of a window."

"If you would," said Mr. Abraham as he led the pair towards the main building.

She whistled, "Swanky place…"

"One of the most prestigious schools in the country," said Izuku.

"It's giving 'full of yourself', though."

Izuku chuckled, speaking with just the barest hint of sarcasm. "One of the most prestigious schools in the country."

Takeyama laughed before she saw Mr. Abraham stepped before a set of doors. She sped over to the other door to help hold both open for the rolling cart.

"You know the way from here, Mr. Midoriya?" asked Mr. Abraham as they all entered the hall.

"Yes, sir."

"Good." He pulled something out of his pocket, offering it. "Here is the key to the workshop."

Izuku blinked, holding his hand out for it. "You're just giving this to me?"

"Well, you need to get in and," he checked his watch, "I have a meeting." He nodded at Takeyama. "I'm sure your cousin can ensure that you don't get into too much trouble in an empty workshop."

She nodded as Izuku smiled, tucking the key away, "Thanks."

"I should be out in an hour," added Mr. Abraham. "Have a productive day."

"I'll do my best," said Izuku as they parted.

"You don't deserve that key–"

He shook his head vehemently. "No, not today…" He took a deep breath. "You can piss right off…"

"You okay?" asked Takeyama.

Izuku shrugged, "Yeah…" He sighed, "I just… I'm just looking forward to being in the workshop today."

"That's all?"

"Hm…" He deflected, "Did you write down your measurements or do I have to…"

Takeyama held out a folded scrap of paper. "Here." Izuku blinked, obviously surprised, before taking it. "I feel like I should threaten you about releasing that anywhere, but…" She trailed off for a moment before shrugging. "You're not the type."

"Type?" he echoed.

"A teddy bear," she replied. "A big, green teddy bear… with sad eyes."

"Sad eyes?"

"Sometimes." She shrugged, "Could sell well if they were swappable."

"A collector's edition teddy bear?" He joked, "It comes with all the accessories!"

"I'd buy it," she said.

He rolled his eyes. "With what money?"

"OH!" cried Takeyama in dramatic fashion. "Oh-ho! Is that how it is!?"

"That's how it is," he chuckled, shaking his head.

"Did I say teddy bear? I meant trash panda!" she corrected.

"Hey, racoons are cute. They shouldn't be called trash," defended Izuku.

Her voice trailed down to a whisper. "Yeah, with their grubby little hands, like gremlins." She accused, "That's what you are," with the point of her finger.

Izuku laughed and she rolled her eyes, chuckling herself and punching his shoulder.

"Not the type…? How fucking nice… If only she knew why you applied…"

His smile faltered, but only for a moment, Takeyama said something else and he laughed. However, that growing pit in his stomach wasn't replaced with laughter or the roll of his eyes. It just sank and tightened…

"Just get through the day…" he thought to himself. "You just need to get through the day…"

-\ XXX /-

AN: Hello~. Cloudy Skies~, uh-oh... Anyway, a heart-to-heart, some realizations, and a blossoming mentorship. There's probably some stuff about the shipping in this story I need to talk about, but I'm still settling on things.

EDIT: There was a few paragraphs about the ship of the story here, but I'm changing my mind basically. So, I'm taking it out here and plan on having a full explanation at the end of Season 2 with the little retrospective I plan on writing out.

Beyond that, thank you for reading and criticize away!

Update Window: August 20th - July 31st

Intended Due Date: August 20th - 25th