The Next Morning – Endeavor Agency, Tokyo
The sun had barely crested over the skyline when the group assembled in front of the towering Endeavor Agency building. Despite the early hour, the city was already buzzing with life. Cars honked, people moved briskly to work, and somewhere in the distance, a police siren wailed.
Emi adjusted her gloves as she stood beside the boys. She looked calm, but her heart beat faster than usual — the lingering ache around her left eye was a quiet reminder that she still wasn't at her best. But she wasn't about to let that slow her down today. Not when Endeavor himself would be watching.
"Let's move," Endeavor barked, not bothering to glance back. He leapt from the agency steps and onto the rooftops with a surge of flames.
"Damn it," Bakugo muttered, already pushing off the ground with a boom to follow him.
Midoriya's eyes sparkled with determination as he activated Full Cowling and sprinted after them. Todoroki gave Emi a small nod before using ice to boost himself forward.
Emi exhaled, focusing her Quirk. Wind swirled around her hands as she launched into the air, keeping herself level with the others. She wasn't as fast as Endeavor — none of them were — but she refused to fall behind.
Downtown Tokyo – 7:12 AM
They trailed Endeavor for blocks, weaving through alleys, gliding over crosswalks, and darting along rooftops. The pro hero moved like fire itself — precise, fast, and nearly untouchable.
Suddenly, Endeavor halted, landing on a streetlight pole and looking down at the busy road below. His sharp eyes narrowed.
"Shoplifter. Pink jacket. Backpack stuffed. Go."
Midoriya blinked. "Wait—what? That's it?"
But Endeavor didn't wait to explain. The thief had already started running.
"I got it!" Emi said, wind bursting from her palms as she dropped down. Her body twisted mid-air, landing softly on a building ledge before angling into the alley the suspect ducked into.
Bakugo clicked his tongue and blasted after her. "Try not to let her outpace you, nerds."
"Split and flank!" Todoroki shouted, already redirecting down a parallel street.
Midoriya's brain kicked into gear as he analyzed the path. "If the thief goes through the plaza, I can intercept—!"
Alleyway – Seconds Later
Emi skated across the wind she whipped up beneath her boots. Her pink-and-white windstreamers fluttered behind her like comet tails. The shoplifter turned back with wide eyes as the air pulsed, then screamed as Emi landed right in front of her.
The girl stumbled back—only to be yanked upward by Bakugo, who dropped in from above with a grin. "Too slow."
Todoroki came around the corner just as Midoriya arrived from the opposite side, panting lightly.
"Got her," Emi said, wind still swirling lightly in her palm as she held her free hand out to help the startled thief up.
Endeavor arrived moments later, calmly walking into the alley. "Good reaction time. You tracked and cornered her without property damage or escalation."
Bakugo smirked. Midoriya grinned. Todoroki stayed composed, but his eyes glinted with pride.
Emi gave Endeavor a nod. Her body ached a bit from the sprint, and she could still feel the pressure in her injured leg—but she was keeping up. Barely, maybe. But she was keeping up.
"Don't get comfortable," Endeavor said, turning sharply. "That was barely a warm-up."
The group exchanged quick glances and took off again, trailing behind the No. 1 Hero as the morning patrol continued.
And despite the pace, despite the sweat and strain… all four of them smiled just a little.
They were here to learn — and they were already growing stronger.
⸻
8:02 AM – Mid-City District
The patrol hadn't slowed down for a second.
They chased down a purse snatcher, helped a lost child reunite with her mother, and even intervened in a minor traffic accident — Endeavor giving orders with sharp, clipped efficiency while watching each of them like a hawk.
Now they were perched on a rooftop above a crowded business block. The sounds of the city below blended into a steady hum of noise.
"Trouble," Endeavor muttered. His eyes fixed on a scene across the street. A man staggered out of a bank, waving something erratically — not a weapon, but his Quirk. Glowing red orbs floated around him, erratic and sparking.
"He's panicking," Midoriya whispered, narrowing his eyes. "Those look volatile…"
"They are," Todoroki confirmed. "That's Plasma Pulse. If he loses control, it'll detonate like a flashbang — or worse."
"Why is it always the flashy ones?" Emi murmured under her breath. Her hair whipped lightly in the wind. She glanced at Endeavor, waiting for the order.
"Keep civilians away. Engage without provoking," Endeavor said. "Todoroki, suppress the air around him. Midoriya, close the gap. Moshizuki, cover the right side and keep a wind buffer in case it goes unstable. Bakugo—"
"I'll take the damn top and hit from above if needed," Bakugo finished, already moving. Endeavor gave a faint grunt of approval.
Seconds Later – Ground Level
Emi touched down with practiced grace, a sharp gust of wind cushioning her landing behind a stack of mailboxes. She could feel the instability in the air around the man — every orb he created distorted the wind slightly, like pockets of heat.
"Sir!" she called gently, palms glowing with a soft swirl of wind. "You're not in trouble — but you need to stop before someone gets hurt."
"I—I didn't mean to—!" the man cried. "I was just trying to cash a check—someone startled me—!"
Midoriya eased in closer. "It's okay. We just want to help."
Just as the man looked like he was calming, one of the orbs slipped from his control — dropping toward the pavement.
BOOM.
The flash tore through the air, flinging Midoriya back. Emi raised a barrier of pressurized wind just in time, shielding herself and a group of bystanders from the blast.
"I've got him!" Todoroki shouted, sending a wave of frost forward to suppress the next wave of energy orbs.
Emi gritted her teeth, launching forward. She twisted in the air and funneled a stream of compressed wind from her palms — enough to knock the orbs upward and away from people.
But it left her open.
The man panicked again, another orb forming too close.
Bakugo dropped in like a missile. "MOVE, WINDY!"
He grabbed Emi by the arm, yanking her out of the blast radius as the orb detonated behind them. They hit the ground hard, rolling.
Emi coughed, blinking up at him. "Thanks…"
"Watch your blind side," he growled, not unkindly. "You spaced out again."
"I didn't," she snapped back, breathless. "I felt it — just couldn't redirect fast enough."
"Tch. Don't make me save you twice in one day."
She rolled her eyes, but but didn't take it too seriously.
With Endeavor's support from afar, the rest of the team worked to contain the situation. Todoroki froze the remaining orbs mid-air, and Midoriya pinned the man safely with just enough force to keep him from hurting himself.
8:25 AM – Rooftop Debrief
They regrouped, slightly scuffed but unharmed.
"You did better than expected," Endeavor said, arms crossed. "But you're still inefficient."
Bakugo scowled. "What the hell—"
"You," Endeavor said to Emi, voice firm. "You compensated well for your blind spot until the end. You were the most adaptive on the scene. But stop waiting for someone else to save you."
Emi blinked. She wasn't used to Endeavor offering… not praise, exactly. But something close.
"Yes, sir."
"Don't let your weakness become an excuse," he added, blunt as ever. "Use it until it's a strength."
The wind around her stirred slightly as she nodded, quieter this time. "I will."
Behind her, Bakugo muttered something almost under his breath.
"What was that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
He looked away. "I said… you didn't do bad."
Her grin grew. "Is that Katsuki Bakugo being supportive?"
He bristled. "Don't push it."
Midoriya gave her a thumbs-up. "You really handled that wind buffer like a pro, Emi!"
"And your redirection strategy was clean," Todoroki added. "That was good work."
She smiled, wind still curling gently around her fingertips. For the first time since she'd joined this work study, she didn't feel like she was trailing behind.
She felt like part of the team.
⸻
6:13 PM – Endeavor Agency, Operations Floor
The sun had long dipped behind Tokyo's skyline by the time the patrols ended. The group returned to the agency, sweat-slicked and sore. Their bodies ached from leaping across rooftops and narrowly avoiding explosions, but none of them complained — not out loud, anyway.
Except Bakugo.
"This is bullsh*t," he snapped, dropping into a chair at the operations desk. "We spend all day fighting, then they make us do paperwork? For what?"
Midoriya looked up from his own report sheet, blinking. "To track incident data for agency records and resource allocation…?"
"Shut up, nerd!"
Emi chuckled softly, dipping her pen into the margin of her form to fill in patrol details. "Honestly, I don't mind it. It's kind of calming. Way better than the explosion we dodged this morning."
"I prefer the explosions," Bakugo grumbled, aggressively scribbling in his terrible handwriting.
Todoroki sat at the desk across from them, quietly working through his paperwork with the same blank but slightly judgmental expression he always wore when Bakugo went on a rant.
"Endeavor said accuracy matters more than speed," Todoroki said flatly.
"I am being accurate!" Bakugo snapped.
"You wrote 'guy exploded' as your entire summary," Todoroki replied without looking up.
Emi snorted and tried not to laugh too loudly.
Across the room, Endeavor himself stood by a larger desk, reviewing a wall screen of patrol data and not saying a word. They were still just students to him — but students worth watching.
7:01 PM – Endeavor Agency Cafeteria
Dinner was served buffet-style — simple but filling. Rice, miso soup, grilled chicken, pickled vegetables, and a giant stack of karaage that Bakugo nearly elbowed a sidekick over.
The four of them sat at one table near the window, overlooking the glowing lights of the city they'd helped protect all day.
Midoriya dug into his food while scribbling more notes. "I learned so much today. Endeavor's ability to read a situation so fast is amazing, and the way he delegates—"
"He literally tossed us at a plasma bomb guy with two words," Bakugo muttered through a mouthful of food. "That's not teaching. That's trial by fire."
"I think that was the point," Emi said with a tired but warm smile. "But… I kind of liked it. It's real. It forces you to trust your instincts."
Bakugo glanced at her, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he gave a small, almost grudging nod. "Yeah. You weren't in the way out there."
Todoroki looked between them. "That's probably the highest compliment he's ever given anyone."
"I feel honored," Emi said, pressing a hand dramatically to her heart.
Bakugo rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
Todoroki ate in silence for a bit, then said, "You moved well today. Even with your injury."
Emi looked down for a moment, her fingers brushing the edge of her tray. "Thanks. It still hurts sometimes. I try not to think about it too much. But… I'm figuring it out."
"You don't fight like someone who's blind on one side," Midoriya added gently. "You adapt. Like a pro."
Her chest warmed a little at the words. She nodded, smiling softly. "I want to be better. I have to be better" Gently covering her left eye with a cupped palm, "I don't want citizens to ever doubt my abilities over it"
Bakugo didn't say anything, but he nudged her tray with his elbow when he noticed she hadn't eaten much.
"Finish your food, dumbass. You'll pass out if you don't."
She raised an eyebrow. "Concerned?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
But she smiled anyway — and this time, he didn't look away.
8:02 PM – Dorm Floor, Later That Night
The agency quieted as night took over. Most sidekicks had gone home, and even the top floor felt still. The four of them were stretched out across couches in the dorm lounge with cold drinks and aching limbs.
"Tomorrow's another full shift," Todoroki said, checking the schedule.
"I'm so tired," Midoriya groaned. "But also… really excited."
"Of course you are," Bakugo muttered, eyes already starting to droop.
Emi leaned back on the couch, a soft breeze curling from her fingertips as she toyed with a floating napkin. "Honestly… this is the happiest I've felt in a while."
The boys glanced at her.
"Even with the pressure. Even with the pain. I feel like… I'm becoming the hero I wanted to be."
Bakugo's voice was soft — quieter than usual. "Don't cut yourself short."
Emi turned her head slightly, her blind eye catching the dim light.
"Thanks, Katsuki."
They sat in silence for a few moments after that. No explosions, no chaos, no patrols. Just four kids chasing their dreams — and maybe starting to believe they could really catch them.
⸻
10:48 PM – Endeavor Agency Dorms, Rooftop
The night air was cool, and the city below shimmered in gold and neon. Emi sat on the edge of the rooftop, legs dangling over the edge, wind quietly swirling around her like a lazy, protective current. Her mask was off, her scar bare in the moonlight, and her blind eye glowed softly in the dark.
She was quiet—lost in thought—when the rooftop door creaked open behind her.
"Figures you'd be up here," Bakugo said, stepping out.
Emi didn't turn around right away. "Could say the same about you."
He approached slowly, then sat beside her without another word, arms resting over his knees. They sat in silence for a while, the wind tugging gently at their hair.
Down below, the city pulsed like a living thing.
"You keep pushing yourself," Bakugo finally said. His voice was low. Not angry or loud. "Even when you can't see half the field."
Emi gave a small, wry smile. "If I stop, I fall behind."
"You're not behind," he said immediately, almost snapping. "You're keeping up."
She turned to look at him, her eyes searching his face. "Am I? Sometimes I feel like I'm barely hanging on."
Bakugo didn't answer right away. He glanced at her scar, then away again.
"You fought a fucking Nomu. You got taken by the League. You still showed up to train. Still fight. You think you're weak because you got hurt, but I—" He cut himself off, jaw tight.
"What?" she asked gently.
He exhaled through his nose, frustrated—not at her, but at himself. "I was there. At Kamino. I saw what they did to you. I couldn't stop it. I couldn't even reach you in time. I hate thinking about how I was too weak to save you."
Emi's eyes widened. She hadn't known that.
Bakugo stared straight ahead. "I still see it sometimes. You in that Nomu's grip. That look in your eye when you realized he used Decay on you."
Emi looked away, the wind flickering around her fingers. "It felt like dying."
Silence settled for a long beat.
Then, Bakugo said quietly, "But you didn't. You're still here."
She nodded. "So are you."
His gaze finally met hers. "That's not nothing, y'know."
Emi let the silence stretch again before saying softly, "You saved me that day."
"Tch. You saved me too. I just—" He hesitated. "I don't want to lose you."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
She blinked. Her heart skipped.
"I'm not going anywhere, Katsuki," she whispered. "Not if I can help it."
He stared at her like he wanted to say more—so many words unsaid in his eyes—but instead, he just scooted a little closer. Their shoulders brushed.
After a long pause, Emi tilted her head toward him and said, "You always this soft at night, or is it just for me?"
Bakugo let out a low grunt. "You wish."
But he didn't move away.
And when Emi's head gently dropped onto his shoulder a few minutes later, he didn't push her off either.
The wind settled. The city breathed. And for just a moment, everything was still.
⸻
7:42 AM – Endeavor Agency
The four of them stood in the main operations room, already in uniform, barely halfway through their breakfast on the go — convenience store onigiri, energy bars, and hot canned coffee.
Emi tightened the straps on her boots as she listened to the morning mission briefing. The energy in the room was focused — today felt different. Heavier. Like the city was holding its breath.
"Reports of pickpocket rings in the commercial sectors," said a sidekick, pointing at a map. "And rumors of a few black market dealers moving contraband through narrow alleys. Nothing major — but it's been escalating."
Endeavor stepped forward, heat radiating off him in waves. "We don't babysit," he growled. "We intervene. Watch. Learn. Be fast. Be efficient."
His eyes flicked over each of them in turn. "If you fall behind, don't expect me to wait."
Bakugo scoffed. "Didn't plan to."
8:56 AM – Downtown, Backstreet Alley
The city was loud again. Blazing morning sun, shadows dancing between skyscrapers. The team split into pairs: Todoroki with Midoriya, Emi with Bakugo.
They took to the side alleys — quieter, grimier areas where small crimes liked to fester.
Emi hovered slightly above the ground, riding a thin stream of air as she kept pace beside Bakugo, who walked with his usual confidence, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp.
"There," he said suddenly, jerking his chin toward two men hastily unloading crates behind a supposedly closed bar.
Emi landed beside him and narrowed her good eye. "That doesn't look legal."
They moved quickly. No flair, no grand entrances. Bakugo detonated a tiny pop from his palm — a warning.
The men panicked. One tried to run.
Emi sent a whip of wind to knock over a stack of crates in his path, cutting him off.
Bakugo stepped forward and growled, "You wanna make this hard, or are you smart enough to sit the hell down?"
The guy chose to sit.
Later – 11:20 AM – Commercial District
All four regrouped to chase down a trio of quick-footed teens using a minor teleportation Quirk to steal wallets and duck into crowds. It took precise timing — Todoroki locking down escape routes with ice, Midoriya predicting the teleport patterns, Emi blasting wind through narrow passages to flush them out, and Bakugo launching in to cut them off.
By the time they'd wrapped it up, they were breathing hard — flushed, scraped, a little sweaty, but successful.
"Not bad," Endeavor said, arms crossed as they reported in. "Less chaotic than yesterday."
"That's practically a compliment," Emi whispered to Midoriya.
"I'll take it," he whispered back with a grin.
4:07 PM – Endeavor Agency, Main Office
After finishing up their debrief and more dreaded paperwork (with Bakugo cursing through half of his report), the team was about to part ways when Endeavor turned toward Todoroki.
"I'm going home for dinner tonight," he said. "You should come."
Todoroki looked up, slightly surprised. "…All right."
Then Endeavor glanced at the others. "Bring your classmates if you want. I don't care."
He walked off without waiting for a response.
Bakugo blinked. "Did he just invite us to dinner?"
"I think that was as close as we'll ever get," Emi said, a little stunned.
Todoroki, still calm as ever, turned to them. "I'd like you to come. You've earned it. And it's better not to face that house alone."
Midoriya looked overwhelmed. "I've never even seen the inside of the Todoroki household…"
"I'll go," Emi said, stretching her back. "Free food and emotional awkwardness? Sounds like a good time."
Bakugo grunted, arms crossed. "I'm not going for him. I'm going 'cause you are."
Todoroki gave the smallest of smiles. "Then it's settled. We'll leave in an hour."
As they packed up for the day, Emi glanced over at Bakugo, who was suspiciously quiet.
"You good?" she asked under her breath.
He shrugged. "Just thinking. This week's been… something."
She nudged his arm with hers. "Yeah. But I think we're getting better."
"…Yeah," he said. Then softer, "We are."
⸻
6:12 PM – Todoroki Family Home, Musutafu
The sky was softening into twilight when they reached the front gate of the Todoroki estate — a traditional Japanese-style home with clean stone walkways, manicured trees, and a quiet, solemn atmosphere that didn't quite match the chaos they were used to from city patrols.
Emi stood beside Todoroki, dressed in a simple long-sleeve dark pink top, black pants, and her wind-blown hair pulled back in low pigtails. Her blind eye was unobstructed — no mask, no gear — and she looked calm, but curious.
Midoriya wore a green hoodie and jeans, fidgeting nervously. "Wow… this place is really nice."
Bakugo had his hands shoved deep in the pockets of a black jacket, hood up, and looked deeply unimpressed. "Tch. Big-ass house. Figures."
Todoroki glanced at the front door. "They're expecting us."
When they entered, they were greeted not by Endeavor — who was still upstairs — but by Fuyumi, Todoroki's older sister. She beamed when she saw them.
"Shoto! You brought your friends. I'm so glad. Come in, come in!"
She ushered them into the entrance hall, offering slippers and setting a gentle, welcoming tone that immediately softened the atmosphere.
"I'm Fuyumi. You must be Midoriya, Bakugo, and—" She paused as she looked at Emi, her smile warm but staring at the sight of her pale eye and scar. "—you must be Emi. It's really nice to meet all of you."
"Thanks for having us," Emi said softly, bowing her head a little.
Midoriya bowed too, rambling a little. "I've read a lot about your family's legacy and this house is amazing and—"
Bakugo smacked the back of his head with a scowl on his face. "Shut up."
A low voice cut in from the hallway.
"Could hear you guys from the kitchen."
They turned to see Natsuo, Todoroki's older brother, casually dressed in a loose sweater and jeans, his expression tired but curious. He looked between them, his gaze lingering on Bakugo.
"You're the one who yells a lot, right?"
Bakugo narrowed his eyes. "You wanna test that theory?"
"Yup. That's him," Natsuo muttered with a smirk.
Fuyumi waved everyone toward the dining room. "Come sit. Dinner's almost done. Dad should be down soon."
6:38 PM – Todoroki Dining Room
The table was neatly set, the room warm with the smells of grilled fish, miso soup, steamed rice, and simmered vegetables. Everything was traditional and homemade — clearly Fuyumi's handiwork.
They all sat around the low table, Emi beside Todoroki and across from Bakugo. Midoriya was practically glowing from how "homey" it all felt.
"I still can't believe we were invited," he whispered.
Todoroki glanced toward the hallway. "I didn't think he would. But I'm glad he did."
Just then, the air shifted slightly. Heavy footsteps approached.
Endeavor entered the room, freshly showered from training and dressed in casual clothes — a dark T-shirt, loose pants, hair still slightly damp. The sight was… surreal.
Emi straightened in her seat. Bakugo sat up slightly but kept his usual glare. Midoriya nervously bowed.
Endeavor didn't say much. He just nodded, then sat.
Dinner began quietly. Fuyumi kept the mood light, asking Emi about her Quirk, Midoriya about his studies, Bakugo about his work ethic ("Overkill," Natsuo muttered with a smirk), and Todoroki about patrols.
"So," Fuyumi said gently, looking at Emi, "you're the wind hero in training. I've heard Shoto mention you before."
Emi blinked, glancing sideways at Todoroki.
"You have?" she asked him.
Todoroki shrugged. "You're impressive."
Bakugo shot him a narrow look. Emi blinked fast, surprised. "Thanks…"
"I've heard about what happened to you," Fuyumi added softly, her gaze warm but not pitying. "It's really incredible, the way you're still going."
Emi nodded, her voice quiet. "I'm trying. It's not easy." Then smiling more she continued "You should've seen me in the beginning. I was pretty mopey and didn't know where to start"
Natsuo leaned on his elbow. "You're still here. That says something."
From the head of the table, Endeavor grunted. "Don't rely on compliments. Keep improving."
Everyone froze.
But Todoroki looked at him steadily. "She is."
There was a long pause. Endeavor gave a slight nod. "Good."
To everyone's surprise, that was it — no scolding, no speech. Just a simple acknowledgment.
Emi blinked a few times, trying to process the lack of judgment.
Bakugo muttered, "What the hell is happening."
Emi hid her laugh behind her cup of tea.
7:41 PM – After Dinner
The group moved into the living room afterward, sipping tea while Fuyumi served small bowls of mochi ice cream.
Natsuo put on music. Fuyumi asked about U.A. training and dorm life. For the first time, Todoroki looked… relaxed.
Emi caught his eye across the room and gave him a warm smile. "Thanks for inviting us. This was… actually really nice."
Todoroki nodded. "Thanks for coming."
Bakugo didn't say much, but when Fuyumi gave him an extra mochi, he didn't argue — and that was saying something.
Midoriya was beaming. "This was the best night of the whole work study!"
Natsuo glanced at him. "You're weird."
Fuyumi laughed. "He's sweet."
Endeavor, from the back of the room, just drank his tea silently — watching.
⸻
8:03 PM – Todoroki Family Home, Hallway Outside the Living Room
The laughter from the living room had started to die down as everyone slowly eased into the quiet post-dinner lull. Midoriya was helping Fuyumi clear the dishes, Bakugo leaned against the wall sipping tea, and Emi was curled on the floor cushion beside Todoroki, a rare softness in the air.
Then came the thud of a sliding door.
And Natsuo's raised voice from down the hall.
"I don't care if you're trying now! You weren't there when it counted!"
The air in the room stilled.
Endeavor, seated in the back with his tea halfway to his lips, lowered the cup slowly. His jaw tightened, but he didn't move.
Todoroki's expression didn't change—he simply looked down, as though bracing.
"You think one dinner makes up for everything?" Natsuo's voice cracked, louder now, his footsteps echoing. "You think because you're being civil that we're supposed to just forgive you?"
He sounded furious. Hurt.
"You're not our father. You were a monster. You let Mom break, you broke Shoto, don't get me started on Toya, and you stood by while the rest of us had to pretend this family wasn't already shattered!"
The entire room sat frozen. Even Bakugo had gone still, lips pressed into a hard line. Midoriya's hands were clenched in the dish towel he was holding.
Emi's heart twisted at the words. Her gaze flicked between Todoroki and the hallway, where Natsuo's voice was still carrying.
"I'll never forgive you," Natsuo shouted. "You're not welcome in my life. Not now. Not ever."
Silence.
Then the front door slammed.
The echo rang through the house.
No one spoke.
Fuyumi's smile had faded. She stood in the kitchen doorway, face pale but composed, shoulders stiff. Midoriya looked like he didn't know what to do with his hands. Bakugo kept his eyes down, jaw grinding.
Emi looked toward Todoroki, who sat absolutely still. His eyes weren't surprised. Just tired.
"I should've warned you," he said softly. "It's never just dinner here."
"I apologize everyone" Fuyumi said with a fake smile "that was embarrassing"
Emi silently wondered who Toya was.
Endeavor finally stood, silent, and walked out of the room without a word. Not after Natsuo. Not toward anyone.
Just… out.
The emptiness that followed was deafening.
⸻
8:26 PM – Outside the Todoroki Home
The night air was crisp as the four students stood at the curb, waiting in an awkward line while the sleek black agency car pulled up.
It looked cool.
Until it stopped in front of them.
Emi stared at it. "…That's a five-seater."
Todoroki blinked. "Technically six. If someone squeezes."
Bakugo narrowed his eyes. "That's not a six. There's only 5 freaking seats!."
The driver stepped out — an older man in a sharp suit with a deadpan expression — and opened the doors. Endeavor slipped into the front passenger seat without a word, arms crossed, radiating heat and silence.
The back door was open. The bench seat looked… tight.
Midoriya was already awkwardly climbing in. "I'll take the window—sorry—excuse me—"
Todoroki slid in next to him, quiet and calm as always.
Which left…
Emi and Bakugo staring at each other.
"You first," she offered.
Bakugo groaned. "There's no space."
"Well, unless you want me to ride on the roof, this is happening."
He threw his hands up and got in.
Emi followed and immediately realized there was zero legroom left. She tried to squeeze between him and the door, but she was practically sideways, knee jammed against the back of the front seat.
"Okay," she muttered, adjusting. "This isn't working."
Todoroki spoke without looking. "Just sit on him."
Bakugo's head whipped around. "What?!"
"Just do it," Midoriya mumbled, already squished into the corner with nowhere to move.
Emi sighed, gave Bakugo a sheepish glance, and sat sideways half on his lap, one leg angled under Todoroki's and the other braced against the door.
Bakugo stiffened like she'd zapped him. "This is hell."
"It's not great for me either," she hissed, trying not to fall over every time the car tilted.
Once all doors were shut, the driver took off smoothly — like this was just another Tuesday night.
Bakugo, now a human chair, glared straight ahead.
"You're the number one hero," he growled through gritted teeth, "and this is the small-ass car you bought?!"
From the front, the driver didn't miss a beat.
"Be grateful!!"
Emi broke.
She laughed so hard she nearly fell off him, and even Todoroki let out a small breath of amusement.
Midoriya smiled despite the lingering awkwardness from dinner. "This is… honestly the most us way to end the night."
Bakugo slumped lower, muttering, "I hate everything."
But his arms had settled around Emi's waist anyway — just to keep her from sliding.
She leaned back slightly, smirking. "You're warm. This isn't so bad."
He glared at the back of Endeavor's head. "I'll kill him."
Todoroki, still blank-faced, looked out the window.
"…He deserves it."
⸻
9:03 PM – Still in the Car, Driving Through Musutafu
The car ride had settled into silence. Emi had shifted off Bakugo's lap and now sat half-squished between him and the door, dozing slightly. The city lights streaked past the window. Midoriya stared at his phone screen, scrolling through hero news.
Todoroki glanced out the window—his calm expression suddenly tightening.
"Stop the car."
The driver hit the brakes, tires skidding slightly.
"What is it?" Endeavor demanded.
Todoroki's voice was sharp. "That's Natsuo."
They all looked.
Across the street, on the edge of an underpass, Natsuo was struggling against something—lines, white painted road markings, ripping up from the pavement and wrapping around him like ropes.
And standing in the center of the road was a villain — tall, wiry, twitching — in a stained orange jumpsuit, the word INMATE partially scratched out.
Bakugo's eyes widened. "What the hell?!"
Midoriya gasped. "I've seen him in a report — that's Lineweight. He was imprisoned by Endeavor years ago. His Quirk manipulates road paint. He escaped last week during a prison transfer."
"Why's he after Natsuo?" Emi asked, already unbuckling.
Endeavor stared out the window, completely still. His eyes were locked on the villain — and they were wide.
Todoroki narrowed his eyes. "He's frozen…"
Midoriya's hand hit the door. "We're going."
"Already ahead of you," Bakugo growled, blasting the door open with a small BOOM.
Emi followed in a gust of wind, her boots hitting the pavement as she streaked toward Natsuo. Todoroki leapt from the other side.
9:04 PM – Underpass
The painted lines of the road peeled up like ribbons, snaking around Natsuo's legs and arms, dragging him toward the villain.
"You're the son, right?!" Lineweight's voice crackled. "The bastard's kid! Let's see how Endeavor likes watching you disappear!"
"HEY!" Bakugo's voice cracked through the air like thunder. "You wanna fight someone?! Fight me!"
Lineweight turned just in time to take a full blast of compressed wind from Emi — a spiraling strike that knocked him back a few feet.
Todoroki raised an ice wall to separate Natsuo from the villain. "Emi, get him free!"
"I got it!" she dropped down, hands working to slice the paint-strips apart with precise bursts of wind pressure.
Midoriya zipped in with Full Cowling at 20%, ducking a whipping line and slamming a kick into Lineweight's shoulder. "You're not touching him!"
Lineweight snarled, lifting both arms as every line in the underpass began to rise and twist like a sea of serpents.
"Watch the ground!" Todoroki shouted.
Bakugo darted up onto a lamppost with an explosion, then launched himself off it and came crashing down directly onto Lineweight, sending a shockwave through the concrete.
"STAY DOWN, YOU STRIPED PSYCHO!"
The villain screamed and lashed out with a wild surge of paint-lines, nearly catching Midoriya — but Todoroki intercepted with a wave of fire and ice, forcing the lines to solidify and snap.
Emi threw out her hand. "Natsuo—duck!"
A blade of wind sliced clean through a line about to grab his ankle. He rolled out of the way just in time.
"Th-thanks," he muttered, still shaken.
They all stood between him and the villain now — four students in a tight line, battle-ready, eyes blazing.
And behind them, finally stepping out of the car… was Endeavor.
Still tense. Still quiet.
9:07 PM – Aftermath
Lineweight was bound in layers of frozen road paint, knocked unconscious by a well-placed strike from Midoriya and Bakugo's combined attack. Sirens were approaching.
Natsuo sat against a railing, catching his breath, staring at the team that had just saved his life.
"…You guys…" he muttered. "You actually—"
"You okay?" Todoroki asked quietly.
Natsuo nodded, then looked toward Endeavor.
The Flame Hero had finally stepped forward.
"…I froze," he admitted under his breath.
Todoroki looked at him — and for once, there wasn't only bitterness in his eyes. Just… understanding.
"You're human," Todoroki said simply. "But they didn't freeze."
He turned back toward the others.
Emi was crouched beside Natsuo, gently checking him over. Midoriya wiped sweat off his forehead. Bakugo stood with his hands still smoking, looking every bit the storm he always was.
Todoroki exhaled softly.
"…We're ready."
⸻
7:12 AM – Endeavor Agency, Training Room
The morning sun poured through the tall glass windows of the agency's sleek training facility, glinting off the polished floors. Emi stretched her arms overhead with a soft yawn, her muscles sore from the fight the night before.
Across the room, Midoriya was already doing warmups, scribbling in his notebook between jumping jacks. Todoroki leaned against the wall, sipping hot tea. Bakugo grumbled about sore legs while refusing to actually stop moving.
Then, the heavy door slid open — and Endeavor entered.
His presence alone made the room quiet. But his expression wasn't as severe as usual.
"…You all did well yesterday."
Four pairs of eyes turned toward him.
He crossed his arms, gaze sweeping across them. "You reacted quickly, worked as a unit, and protected civilians under pressure. That's what it means to be a hero."
Bakugo clicked his tongue but didn't argue. Midoriya beamed like he'd just been handed a medal. Todoroki stayed silent. Emi just gave a small, proud smile.
Endeavor's tone remained gruff, but steady.
"Today is your final day here. We'll focus on patrol work again — but you'll be leading more of it yourselves. I'll be nearby, but I won't step in unless I need to."
"You're giving us more freedom?" Emi asked, tilting her head.
"You earned it," he said simply. "Learn to read the street. Anticipate danger. Speak to civilians. Heroes don't just fight — they inspire trust."
He walked past them, placing four files on the table. "These are your patrol routes. Two hours each, then we regroup and rotate."
Todoroki picked his up. "What happens after?"
"You'll rest." Endeavor turned back toward the door. "Tomorrow morning, you board the train back to U.A. You'll need to be refreshed. Ready for what's next."
Midoriya nodded with bright eyes. "Thank you for the opportunity, sir!"
Endeavor didn't reply — just gave a short nod and left them to it.
Bakugo snorted and looked down at his file. "This one's loaded with alleyways. They better not stick me on traffic detail again."
Emi leaned in to peek. "Want to switch?"
"…Only if you take the old man with you."
"Deal," she smirked.
Todoroki glanced at the rest of them. "Last day. Let's make it count."
Midoriya grinned, fist-pumping. "Let's show him what we've learned!"
⸻
10:40 AM – Patrolling District 7
They walked the crowded streets in pairs — Emi and Bakugo leading one route, Todoroki and Midoriya the other. Emi chatted with a small group of kids outside a store, answering questions about being a hero, while Bakugo kept watch with narrowed eyes, one hand always near his gauntlet.
Todoroki cooled down a burst hydrant with a wave of ice, stopping a car from slipping, and Midoriya calmed a panicked woman whose purse had been snatched — retrieving it with a quick flash of Full Cowling.
The city felt alive — busy, real, and ever-moving. But for once, they didn't feel like students trailing behind a Pro.
They felt like heroes in training. On their own path.
⸻
5:15 PM – Endeavor Agency Lounge
They returned tired but buzzing with energy.
Emi flopped onto the couch with a dramatic groan. "I need five massages and a nap."
Midoriya collapsed beside her. "I think I walked more than I have in my life."
Bakugo leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Better than babysitting."
Todoroki sat calmly, towel around his neck. "We've come a long way."
Endeavor stepped in a moment later, arms crossed as always. "You did well today. Each of you showed initiative, awareness, and judgment. There's still work to do — but you're better now than when you arrived."
He paused.
"…Rest up. You leave tomorrow morning. 8:00 sharp."
They all nodded — the weight of the experience settling in.
Emi looked around at her team, heart full in a quiet way.
⸻
9:42 PM – Emi's Room, Endeavor Agency Dorm Floor
The agency's quiet at night. Lights dimmed. The city outside glimmered through the windows, casting a faint silver glow across the floor.
Emi unlocked her door and stepped inside, already stretching her arms overhead with a dramatic sigh. "I'm never going to recover from this week."
"Please," Katsuki muttered as he followed her in, shutting the door behind him. "You didn't even break a sweat today."
She spun around and grinned. "Oh, I was sweating. Just not where you could see it."
He snorted, tossing his overnight bag on her floor. He was already down to a black tank top and sweatpants, but he tugged the shirt off as he walked, tossing it lazily toward her desk chair.
Emi tried not to stare… too obviously. But… yeah. She stared a little.
"Shower's calling my name," she muttered, disappearing into the bathroom.
From outside, Katsuki yelled, "Try not to fall asleep in there!"
"Shut it!"
Steam billowed under the crack of the door. Emi stood under the spray, letting the heat soak into her muscles. It felt heavenly—until—
"Oi."
The door opened.
Her head whipped toward the blur of a tall figure stepping right in like it was his bathroom. "Katsuki?!"
"Just grabbin' somethin'."
He very intentionally didn't look at her directly — but his smirk said it all.
"You're the worst!"
"I know."
"You planned this!"
He shut the door again on his way out, laughing under his breath. Emi stood frozen in the water, face red.
Ten minutes later, she emerged in a black cropped tank and soft light-pink shorts. Her damp hair framed her face, and she padded into the room barefoot.
Katsuki was already sprawled on the bed — shirtless, in low-slung black sweatpants, arms behind his head like he owned the place.
She tossed her towel at him. "You really don't have boundaries, huh?"
He grabbed the towel and pulled her down by the wrist so she landed beside him with a soft bounce.
"Don't hear you complainin'."
Emi rolled onto her side to face him, nose scrunching. "You're so full of yourself."
"Right. And you definitely weren't checking me out earlier."
"I was trying not to!"
They both went quiet.
Katsuki looked at her, eyes darker in the low light, lips twitching at the corners. "You make it hard not to stare too, y'know."
That shut her up fast.
Her heart skipped.
He leaned closer, voice a little rougher. "Cute tank."
She hit his chest with the edge of a pillow — lightly.
He caught her hand before she could pull away and laced their fingers together, resting them between them on the blanket.
Neither said anything for a second. It was warm, but not from the heat. Just… quiet. Calm.
Katsuki shifted closer, one arm sliding under her neck, the other still tangled with hers.
She fit perfectly there.
"Can't believe this week's over," she whispered, her voice brushing the space between them.
"Yeah."
"I wish we could be like this all the time…"
Katsuki looked down at her — face soft, no teasing this time.
"Maybe one day," he said quietly. "When we're not just students gettin' thrown into hell every week."
Emi smiled faintly and tucked her head under his chin. He pressed a light kiss into her hair without even thinking.