Taishiro Toyomitsu thought of himself as a relatively simple man, and that fact hadn't changed at all since he had taken up the mantle of the pro hero Fat Gum. Injustices needed to be corrected, friends needed to be protected, and relationships needed to be negotiated and massaged to keep as many people as happy as possible. Happiness and contentment were his default emotions, after all, and outside of villain-related problems, there wasn't much that could upset his typically jovial mood. However, hearing the pair of distinct footsteps coming up the stairs to his rented-out office was enough to fill him with crippling dread and a lingering regret.

With all of the rumors, accusations, and criticism levied at Mirko by the pro hero community at large, Taishiro knew that at least some of it had to be based in reality. Several of his trusted colleagues had warned him about working with her, but even so, he couldn't help but feel that assisting her and Hawks was the right thing to do. After helping them to move in most of their equipment to his office and working with them on the cannery raid, he had gained a spark of hope for their futures. After seeing the state that they returned in and realizing that the final boxes were coming up the stairs at that very moment, Taishiro began to second guess himself.

The moment that final box was set down, there was no going back from whatever their future together held. It was enough to give Taishiro pause and consider whether or not practically living with Rumi Usagiyama and Keigo Takami was really worth it. Only after remembering the root cause did Taishiro regain his sense of inner peace.

It wasn't about the Shie Hassaikai and protecting society, or even helping out two budding pros with obvious potential- it was about setting his protégé's mind at ease.

Taishiro couldn't help but crack a smile as Rumi appeared first in the doorway, taking the steps slowly as she carried a large box in front of herself. Seeing the woman sway slightly as she ascended toward the office with a box that obscured most of her body was comical, though slightly less so given her injuries. He could see several cuts and bruises upon her arms and legs, and he knew that she likely looked no better beneath her hero suit. With a slight grimace, Taishiro rushed forward and put his arms out as Rumi made her way through the door.

"Here, let m-"

"Nah, nah I got it," Rumi insisted as she tried unsuccessfully to shove her way around Taishiro, only to end up pushing the box into his hoodie even deeper. "Uh, move?"

"Nuh-uh," Taishiro scolded as he took the box. The sheer weight of the cardboard caught him by surprise, and though he kept it aloft, it did dip momentarily. "You're hurt, exhausted, and need to sit down. What do you even have in here?"

"CDs," Rumi answered with a sigh as she walked around Taishiro and toward the waiting couch.

"…with data on them?" the man asked, already knowing he was in for disappointment.

"Does music count as data?" Keigo asked rhetorically as he appeared in the doorway with a smaller box. "Can't get work done without tunes."

"Is that so?" Taishiro replied as he set the box down next to the couch. Keigo copied his motions, putting the smaller box atop it. "I'm sure it's all family-friendly easy listening?"

"Smooth jazz all the way down," Mirko said with a roll of her eyes. "Hope you don't mind. Heard anything from Togata or Amajiki yet?"

"Nothing since last night, when Tamaki called just to make sure I was still alive," Taishiro lamented as he sat down on the opposite side of the couch. "They're probably both still asleep. They'd better both still be asleep…"

"We all know heroes don't sleep," Keigo pointed out as he sat on the arm of the couch next to Rumi. "Not well, anyway. Are you worried?"

"…I mean, we had to intervene," Rumi added. "And got fucked up for it."

"That's the job," Taishiro reminded as he stared at a particularly nasty bruise on Rumi's mid-thigh. "Step into the line of fire for those we care about. Yes, I am worried about Tamaki… and Togata, too, even though I don't know him quite as well."

"He's a nice enough kid," Rumi said with a wave of her hand. "Way, way in over his head, but…"

"And that's our fault," Keigo reminded. "We did warn him about the seriousness of this whole situation, but that doesn't absolve us completely. We need to see him as soon as possible and pool our intel."

"Agreed," Taishiro said. "As much as I trust all of them… what I saw out there was concerning, to say the least. I don't just mean our enemies, either. That Saku woman… I've seen her down at The Pearl before, but I wasn't expecting her to have some sort of summoning Quirk. The thing that chased me off was apparently her doing, according to Tamaki."

"No shit…" Rumi mused. "So, our little… well, there isn't much little about her, but our hostess and professional tease is hiding one hell of a skill set. That might be worth paying attention to. With a Quirk like that, she'd be a prime suspect for being responsible for protecting whatever Project Sunbeam is."

"We need to go back through her file and see what else is public record that we can dig up," Keigo suggested. "Might also be worth making a visit to The Pearl soon, too. Arrive separately, divide and conquer."

"…that's risky," Taishiro warned. "Risky for me, anyway… but then again, it might be worth doing. If I end up in a position to talk to her, I might be able to feel out whether the Shie Hassaikai and Nue really hate each other or it's just a front for mutual benefit."

"What are you thinking?" Rumi asked. "I'm not sure I follow."

"You heard the same thing I did when we were listening in before the raid," Taishiro reminded. "Think about how she reacted to the news about Sir Nighteye."

"Compassionately," Keigo answered immediately. "All of them did, to an extent… but Saku in particular seemed interested, sympathetic, and invested in keeping Togata's spirits up. She didn't have any malice for heroes at all… or good heroes, as she put it."

"Exactly… and she has no idea that I know she was responsible for that beast that chased me off last night," Taishiro pointed out. "I've got every excuse in the world to head on down to The Pearl for a drink and a show later tonight, and if I can manage to get in even a quick conversation… I might be able to get a foot in the door and start to feel her out. If she's really that good-natured, I can take advantage of it for information. If she's cold and puts me at a distance… then we know that Togata might not be as safe around her as it seems."

"…that's devious," Rumi said with a grin. "Look at you, having a secret naughty side…"

"Maybe he got it from Professor Kayama," Keigo said with a shrug. "Midnight's not exactly known for being a paragon of morality."

"You're closer to the truth than you think," Taishiro said as he stood up into a stretch. "I've gotta call her and see if she wants to get in on this. Somehow I think she'd have absolutely no problem getting involved at The Pearl again… but we'll have to see. I'll contact her soon, but I don't think it'll be today. It's gonna be a rough one for just about everybody."

"Why's that?" Rumi asked.

Katsuki already knew what was coming as he, Daisuke, Mashirao, and Himiko ascended the stairs back up to the dorms. Despite spending the entire trip silently mentally preparing himself for what was to happen, he didn't expect it to happen quite so soon. Upon opening the door from the staircase and leaving Mashirao and Himiko to head back to their floor, the sound from the lobby television was loud and immediate. A crowd had gathered within the space, and nearly everyone from Class 1-A save Eijiro was standing around within it. From the looks on their faces, Katsuki knew that he and Daisuke had arrived just after the headline had already broken. He ignored his tailed companion's questioning look as they walked toward the crowd together.

"…unknown. Details about the killing are being kept under wraps, though the museum is now permanently closed through the end of the year pending a thorough investigation. A public service will be held later in the week, followed by another for family and close friends of the pro hero known throughout Japan. All Might released a statement that we will play for you now, on behalf of the professional hero community."

Katsuki joined the crowd and stared at the screen in silent anticipation. Even being privy to the truth and being mentally prepared for whatever it was that All Might would say to the public, seeing his former idol in such a state was still a bit of a shock. It was the first time that he had ever seen the man's smile falter for any extended period of time. While All Might would typically look almost cartoonish behind the small podium before him, his total lack of eye contact with the camera painted a very different picture instead. Katsuki found that he, too, couldn't force himself to look as the man began to speak.

"…the man that most of Japan knew as Sir Nighteye was known to me simply as Mirai," All Might began as he stared down at the wooden surface of the podium. "He was an incredible professional, a trusted ally, and a close personal friend. I had the pleasure of working with him for many years, and I think I would be qualified to make one final prediction on his behalf. Though we do not know the details surrounding Sir Nighteye's death, one thing is clear- we live in dangerous times, and that danger is only going to increase."

Katsuki finally managed to look up at the screen only to find All Might staring back at him as the pro hero raised his eyes from the podium at the same time.

"Now more than ever, we need our heroes to be strong. The kind of strength we need comes from fostering relationships with those who can help mold us into better versions of ourselves. Without Mirai's insight, wit, and commitment to the cause, I would never have become the hero you have all come to know me as. I ask you all, heroes and civilians alike, this one thing on his behalf- keep your friends close. Watch out for them, and allow them to watch out for you. None of us know how long we have remaining, and with the current state of things… our time is best spent strengthening ourselves and preparing for whatever else is to come. Though I cannot say much, I have reason to believe that this is only the beginning of a dark time for Japan as a whole."

"…what does that mean?" Daisuke asked softly as he turned his head to look at Katsuki. "Bakugo…?"

"…I don't know," Katsuki lied as he turned away and began to walk toward his dorm. "And I don't think I want to hear any more of it."

"And one other thing- I have a message for whatever villain or villains may have been responsible for this heinous act, as well as all others who would think to disturb the peace for whatever misguided reason."

Katsuki came to an abrupt stop as he looked over his shoulder at the television once again.

"You have made a grave error," All Might warned, adopting a tone that none standing in the lobby had ever heard the man use before. "This breach of the peace- this murder was quite obviously targeted, but what you fail to realize is that you have made this fight incredibly personal for many more in the professional circuit than just me. This is a war that will be fought primarily in the shadows, and the first moves in retaliation have already been made. Watch your step… and keep your hands to yourself. Otherwise, you will find out the extent to which a hero will go to protect the ones they love when pushed."

Author's Note:

Classes begin soon. Very soon.

-RD