Chapter 8

What it means to be a Hero

Nemuri flashed him a mischievous grin. "The one and only. Why? Not thrilled to see me?" She wiggled her eyebrows playfully at him.

Izuku's expression turned skeptical. "What brings you here? Are you following me or something?"

Izuku's question seemed to spark Nemuri's indignation. "The audacity!" she muttered under her breath. "You really think I have nothing better to do than tail you all day?"

Izuku shrugged, his expression nonchalant. "Why don't you tell me? I heard you had to pay some hefty amount to a business a few days ago for property damage."

A flush rose to Nemuri's cheeks as she crossed her arms under her bust, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. "And whose fault is that?"

"I didn't ask for your help," Izuku retorted, his face a mask of calm.

Nemuri's words tumbled out in a rush, laced with a hint of ruthlessness. "Oh, sure, and if I hadn't, you would be dead."

Izuku's gaze locked onto hers for a few seconds before he turned his attention back to his milkshake, sipping it loudly.

Nemuri's expression softened as she realized she might have struck a nerve. She took the seat opposite Izuku, her voice low and tinged with regret. "Listen, I'm sorry. I should not have snapped like that. I understand if it's...difficult to talk about."

"Difficult?" Izuku muttered, interrupting her, a hint of a chuckle in his voice. "It's not difficult. Just...disappointing, that's all."

Nemuri's confusion was evident as she stared at Izuku. "Disappointing? Why?"

Izuku's response was a shrug, and he returned to sipping his milkshake again, leaving Nemuri to wonder.

As she gazed at the green-haired boy, Nemuri felt an inexplicable pang. It was as if she was trying to communicate with a stone wall. Yet, something within her stirred, urging her to reach out to him. Every time she looked at the green-haired boy, she saw a deep-seated loneliness and sadness.

This sparked a maternal instinct within Nemuri, a desire to offer comfort and solace. She yearned to envelop him in a warm hug, to provide him a shoulder to cry on. Nemuri couldn't explain why she felt this way, especially since she had met many orphans before and sympathized with each one.

None of the other cases had evoked such a maternal response from her. 'Could it be that my age is catching up with me, and this is just my biological clock ticking?' Nemuri wondered to herself.

"Why did you save me?" Izuku's voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

Nemuri was taken aback, having missed his question. "I'm sorry?" She asked, fishing for clarification.

"Why did you save me that day at the warehouse?" Izuku asked again, his curiosity evident. "You could have handed me over to the police and be done with me. It would have probably boosted your ranking to the top 10." Izuku lifted his head, his crystal green eyes, visible behind his dark sunglasses, met Nemuri's sky blue ones. "So, why? Why save me? Why not turn me in to the police?"

Nemuri gazed into the green-haired boy's eyes, noticing the faint tremble of emotions. The quiet, stubborn boy she had met that day now appeared vulnerable, like a ten-year-old kid.

Nemuri sighed, her eyes drifting down to her milkshake, a melancholic expression on her face. "Because, to me, you didn't seem like a villain. That day, when I found you at the warehouse, you looked like any other kid – vulnerable, weak. And I suppose...I suppose it was the mother in me that couldn't bring myself to hand you over to the authorities. I knew that if I did, I'd be condemning your life to prison, and...I just couldn't do that."

"Even though I've killed ten people?" Izuku asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

However, Nemuri detected a hint of sadness in his tone, as if he was regretting his own choices. It only made her more curious about the boy.

"Yes," Nemuri whispered, her eyes glancing down, weighed by guilt. "Even though you've killed ten people, criminals for sure, but still you did kill them, but... I couldn't bring myself to hand you over to the authorities." She took a deep breath. "I guess I tried to justify your actions by telling myself you were killing criminals. I suppose that was just me hiding my own weakness."

Izuku listened intently to Nemuri's words, fidgeting with his straw. Her words were touching a chord in his heart, making him feel uneasy.

"Even if you had handed me over to the authorities, I would have been a juvenile case," Izuku said slowly. "My case would have been compared to those of the criminals who have done much worse than me. Even if I had received prison time, it wouldn't have been more than a few years."

Nemuri gave him a pointed look. "Have you considered the impact that would have on your career? You would be blacklisted by multiple universities. If you wanted to become a hero, your dream would be all but over. No Hero University would accept you. At best, you would be able to live a life as a respectable laborer."

Izuku's voice was barely above a whisper, and sadness was evident in his tone. "Heroes don't kill."

Nemuri offered him a sad smile. "True, but you still have time to change. And, as bad as it sounds for a hero to say this, but you weren't killing innocent people. You were killing criminals, so I can...we can overlook that. And your vigilante past can remain a secret between us."

Izuku chuckled sadly at Nemuri's words. "Thanks for your kind words, but...I can't stop, not after coming this far."

Nemuri's curiosity was piqued. "Why?" she asked.

Izuku shrugged. "Can't say."

Nemuri's hopes of reaching him seemed to shatter, and she let out a sigh. It appeared her attempt had failed miserably. She stirred her milkshake thoughtfully.

But then, Izuku spoke up again, his voice softer than before. "For your own sake, at least."

Nemuri's eyes widened slightly. Had she really heard him right?

"There are powers at play here. Powers that are worse than any villain out there." Izuku said in a whisper. "It is for your own safety that you don't go putting your nose where it does not belong."

Nemuri stared at the green-haired boy, her eyes searching for the meaning behind his words. He seemed absolutely serious about what he said. Powers? What did he mean by that, she wondered in abject curiosity. She would have to ponder on his words. He did say she should not go putting her nose where it did not belong, which was pretty much what she always did anyways.

"Wanna go somewhere else?" Nemuri suggested, wanting to escape from her own thoughts that seemed to be spiraling down.

Izuku shrugged. "Where did you have in mind?"

"How about that park around the corner?" Nemuri asked, pointing in the right direction.

"Sure, I guess," Izuku replied, hopping down from his seat while still holding his milkshake. "You'll pay for my milkshake, right?" Suddenly, Izuku gave Nemuri a helpless stare, his eyes welling up with tears and his lips quivering.

Nemuri laughed awkwardly, her irritation and maternal instincts flaring up simultaneously. "Of course," she said, through gritted teeth and a strained smile.

Izuku's face lit up with a joyful smile. "Thanks! You're the best!"

After Nemuri paid for Izuku's milkshake, they left the shop and began walking side by side through the street.

"My name's Izuku Midoriya, by the way," Izuku said, introducing himself.

Nemuri stared at Izuku in shock, not expecting him to reveal his name. Now, that she thought about it, all this time she was talking to a kid without even knowing his name. She smiled at him. "Nice to meet you, Izuku. I suppose you already know mine."

Izuku nodded. "Aunty Nemuri," he said, earning a swift fist bump to the center of his head.

"Who are you calling 'aunty', you little brat?" Nemuri asked with an irritated and annoyed tone.

Izuku rubbed the spot where Nemuri had hit him, giving her an indignant look. "What? You're the one who introduced me as your nephew! And you're old!"

"I'm not old! I'm twenty-six. Twenty-six is still young!" Nemuri exclaimed indignantly.

Izuku retorted, still massaging his head, "Well, that's still old!"

Nemuri huffed, looking away. "Hmph! Disrespectful brat."

The two walked in silence for a while, until...

"Can I say something?" Izuku asked out of the blue as they turned the corner.

Nemuri shrugged. "Sure."

"You're really different from what I expected," Izuku said, taking a sip of his milkshake.

Nemuri raised an eyebrow, looking down at her shorter partner. "What do you mean?"

Izuku chose his words carefully. "The way you act in public as a hero and the way you act when you're not...it's just..."

Nemuri offered a helpful suggestion. "Night and day?"

Izuku nodded. "Yeah. You're completely different. Why is that?"

Nemuri looked straight ahead, beginning to explain. "Well, Ms. Midnight is like a persona I've created for the public. Every hero in this world has a hero persona that's different from how they behave when they're not on duty. It's a mechanism many heroes use to separate their personal lives from their hero lives."

"Huh? That's some interesting information," Izuku commented lightly. He then turned his eyes up towards Nemuri's profile. "So, is this the real you? Does that mean Miss Midnight is just a mask you wear?"

Nemuri giggled mischievously. "Who says this is the real me? For all you know, Miss Midnight could be the real me, and Nemuri Kayama is just a way to hide my naughty side."

Izuku chuckled. "But seriously, with the way you're acting now, if a villain shows up, they'll never suspect it's Miss Midnight. It'll be quite the surprise when you put them to sleep with your quirk."

Nemuri chuckled at Izuku's enthusiastic speaking. "You see the benefit of having an alter ego. Fortunately, I have not yet had to use my quirk while off-duty."

The two of them arrived at the park that Nemuri had mentioned. They found an empty bench in a secluded area and sat down. Izuku sat back comfortably, while Nemuri took a seat beside him.

They sat quietly for a few moments, sipping their milkshakes. Nemuri was curious about what Izuku had to say, but she didn't want to come off as pushy. As much as she was curious, she knew when to keep her distance.

"What is it like?" Izuku asked suddenly.

"What is what like?" Nemuri asked, confused.

"Being a Hero," Izuku clarified. "I've always been curious about how different a Hero's life is from an ordinary person's."

Nemuri looked up at the clear sky, where a few stars were shining. "It's hectic. Life is tough for us, and it's only becoming tougher. There are more crimes and villain activities than before, and more Heroes are being attacked. The crime rate is increasing daily, and we fear that one day, things may just get out of control. Hopefully, that day never comes though. Other than that, I guess it's not much different from a 9-5 job, just with a little more money and fame."

"And what about your personal experience," Izuku clarified, staring at Nemuri.

Nemuri smiled slyly at Izuku. "Trying to get to know me on a personal level, are we?"

Izuku couldn't help but blush and look away. "That's not what it is," he grumbled.

Nemuri chuckled. She had finished her milkshake, her container now sitting on the bench beside her. "My experience as a Hero is, well...unconventional. There are certain things I can't discuss with you right now. But I can say that I enjoy being a Hero. I can help people in ways that others can't."

Izuku turned his head curiously. "What other ways?"

Nemuri's mischievous giggle only made Izuku more curious. "I'll tell you when you're older."

"Huh. I guess."

They sat there in peaceful silence, the only sound being Izuku's dry sipping of his almost finished milkshake. This small act endeared him even more in Nemuri's heart because it made him look like a proper ten-year-old despite him acting like an adult. She even chuckled mentally, happy that the little child was still alive inside him and not completely gone due to whatever horrible experience he had suffered.

"Can I ask you something more...philosophical?" Izuku asked, getting an inquisitory stare from Nemuri.

"Go on, ask me anything." She urged, her voice soft and kind.

Izuku stared at his empty container, his thumb tracing the name of the shop imprinted on it. "What does it mean to be a Hero?" He asked, his voice low and vulnerable.

Nemuri turned to look at him, her eyes studying his small form for a few seconds before they focused forward blankly at the vast park. "Being a Hero, huh? Let me ask you this. What does being a Hero mean to you?"

Izuku thought about the question and the answer that immediately came to his mind was the same one that the President had told him three years ago. "A Hero is one who is ready to do anything to maintain the peace and prosperity of the people he has sworn to serve," he said monotonically.

"Hmm." To Nemuri, that answer sounded too generic. "Did you learn that by heart or something?" She asked jokingly and much to her amusement, Izuku gave her a flat look. She stared at the star-filled sky, a smile gracing her beautiful face. "What does it mean to be a Hero?" She repeated Izuku's question slowly as if registering the words in her mind. "Everyone has a different answer to that question. Some think that being a Hero means one should be powerful enough to defeat villains. Some think that being a Hero means to help people. Some, like you, think a Hero should do everything in their power to maintain peace and tranquility. The answer, frankly...varies from Hero to Hero, person to person. Everyone has their own reasons to becoming one and their own meaning of the word Hero. You cannot truly pinpoint a perfect response to this question, if I am being honest."

"Then... What does being a Hero mean to you?" Izuku asked curiously.

"To me?" Izuku's words sounded curious to Nemuri, like he was desperate for an answer but too shy to demand one. Thankfully, she had found her own meaning to being a Hero many years ago. "To me, a Hero is one who does everything in their power to not let others suffer from the same fate that they have suffered. A Hero must always strive to make this world a better place than it was yesterday. A Hero...must always try their very best to protect people from the cruelties that they have suffered themselves. That is what it truly means to be a Hero to me."

"Wow," Izuku muttered in awe and surprise. If he were to be honest with himself, he had not thought someone like Ms. Midnight could have such a deep reason to be a Hero. "That seems like a wonderful reason to be a Hero," he said in a forlornly tone.

"And I am quite sure you will find your motivation too one day," Nemuri said cheerfully, flashing Izuku a bright smile.

"You...You really think so?" Izuku asked shyly, preferring to glance at his lap than at Nemuri.

Suddenly, the sound of a phone ringing cut through their conversation. Nemuri realized it was her phone and she quickly answered it. She frowned in worry when she saw Aizawa's name on the screen.

"Yo, Aizawa! Need a booty call or something?" Nemuri asked, sexualizing her greeting in her usual manner.

Izuku wondered what a booty call was but decided not to dwell on it. He could practically hear Aizawa sighing on the other side of the call.

"Yes... You do know I am not on duty?... Okay, I'll be there," Nemuri said before hanging up. She sighed and looked at Izuku. "I guess we'll have to cut our meeting short tonight."

"Why?" Izuku asked. He was starting to enjoy her company and was disappointed that she had to leave.

Nemuri smiled at him sadly. "Duty calls, you know. You asked about the life of a Hero, right? It's as I said - hectic. And you hardly get time to spend with your loved ones."

"Oh..." He did not want her to leave. This was the first time he had managed to have a nice conversation with someone and it was already being cut short. He had so much more to ask her.

"Hey, don't worry. If you want, we can meet again and talk over milkshakes."

Izuku glanced at his lap, feeling his cheeks heat up. Was he really that predictable? He was embarrassed that the older woman had read him like an open book.

"Hey."

Izuku raised his head and saw Nemuri kneeling before him. She had a small smile on her face.

"I don't know what's going on in your life and I would really like to understand if you'll let me. I don't know if I'll be able to, even if you try to explain and I won't pretend or say that I do. But, Izuku... I can call you Izuku, right?" When she got a shy nod from the green-haired boy, Nemuri took his hands in hers. "I can say this - you've been through a lot of pain and it's written all over your face. It's driving you to do what you're doing. You feel compelled to take justice into your own hands. But..." Nemuri took another deep breath. "I want you to stop."

Izuku stared at Nemuri in shock. His grip on her hands increased with his emotions. Those words... "Why?"

Nemuri held his hands a little tighter, her warmth spreading to Izuku. She smiled tearily. "Because, this isn't the life that anyone deserves. This life of constant violence and fear. Izuku... You're too young to go through that. You should be playing with kids your own age. You should be happy, laughing and smiling, wondering what you should have for dinner. Not fighting criminals and putting yourself in danger. We Heroes fight because we want to protect kids like you. So that children like you can live a better life."

Izuku was shocked to hear her words. But what shocked him more were the tears that were welling up in Nemuri's eyes.

"That day at the warehouse, when I found you unconscious, I thought the worst. That you had died, but you didn't. You were alive. And then, the next day I met you - the real you. Behind all that bravado and stoicism, all I saw was a child reaching for help. A child lost in darkness, trying to claw their way out. And... I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't try to stop you from going further into this darkness. Before you lose yourself. Before you do something you'll regret."

Izuku listened to Nemuri's words carefully. He felt a sense of care and concern from her that he had never felt before. It stirred something in his heart, something he had never experienced before, not even when the President had praised him for the first time.

Suddenly, Izuku felt a gentle hand on his head. He realized that it was Nemuri's hand, ruffling his hair.

"You want to be a Hero, don't you?" Nemuri asked knowingly.

"How did you-"

"Know?" Nemuri giggled softly. "It's written all over the way you behave."

Izuku felt another blush appear on his cheeks. The more time he spent with Nemuri, the more he realized how much of an open book he was. Or was it Nemuri's talent?

"You know, Izuku," Nemuri continued with a smile. "Some day, you're going to be a great Hero. I just know it." She ruffled his hair again. "You were asking about what it means to be a Hero, right? Well, as I said, everyone has their own reasons to becoming a Hero. Right now, you're confused. But that is what Hero schools are for. Children like you, they go to Hero schools to discover themselves. To find their motivations, and reasons to being a Hero. And you will no doubt find that yourself one day. And when you do, I can say this with utmost confidence, that you can surpass every Hero there is." She touched his cheek softly like a mother would touch her infant child. "Heroes have a busy and tough life. So, until that day, enjoy yourself as much as you can. Let us Heroes keep the streets clean, okay?"

Izuku nodded his head. "Yeah, I'll think about it..."

Nemuri's smile widened. To many, it would seem she had failed, but to Nemuri, she had made enormous progress with Izuku. At least, she had made him think that he didn't need to keep doing this and that it was alright. To her, she had made big progress. She had passed. And she was one day going to pull him out of that darkness and let him live the life he truly deserved.


Nemuri hastened back to her apartment, her mind racing with thoughts of the urgency in Aizawa's voice. She was certain that it had something to do with the thugs she had apprehended that day.

As she approached her front door, she saw Aizawa standing there, waiting with an air of impatience. "Sorry to keep you waiting," she said, catching her breath as she unlocked the door.

Aizawa raised an eyebrow, noticing her rapid breathing. "Were you out for some errand?" he asked, his tone neutral.

Nemuri thought of retorting that he was the one who had summoned her, but she decided to refrain from saying that. Instead, she smiled, and chimed cheerfully, trying to diffuse the tension. "Just a leisurely stroll. Come on in."

Once inside, she offered him a drink, trying to compose herself. "Tea, coffee, or water?"

"Water would be great, thanks," Aizawa replied, his eyes scanning the room as he took a seat on the couch in the living room. Nemuri's cat suddenly jumped on to his lap without ceremony, taking a comfortable seat in his lap. His arms automatically began petting the cat.

While Aizawa stroked the cat's fur, Nemuri headed to the kitchen, taking a quick sip from her own water bottle before grabbing a cold one. She walked back to the living room and handed Aizawa the bottle. She watched as he took a long drink, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

After he placed the bottle on the coffee table, Aizawa got straight to the point, his expression serious. "It's about those thugs you apprehended."

Nemuri's interest was piqued, and she leaned forward, her eyes locked on his. "Did they find something?"

Aizawa nodded, his expression turning grave. "Something big," he replied, his voice low and measured.

She leaned in closer, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Come on, don't keep me in suspense. What is it?"

Aizawa's eyes seemed to bore into hers, his tone serious. "I don't know much yet, but it has something to do with the rumors about the Quirk-Enhancing drugs that were floating around the streets."

"For real?" Nemuri asked incredulously. She had heard about those rumors. They had started because people needed a way to justify how villains were starting to have such powerful quirks these days and how they were losing control of their quirks so often. Could there really be some truth to these rumors?

"The police will be interrogating the thugs soon. Hopefully, they will find something about the drugs from them," Aizawa informed carefully.

Nemuri sighed, rubbing her forehead with two fingers, her frustration becoming evident. "Oh, man. This can be really messy if not dealt with properly."

"We have been asked to join the briefing," Aizawa informed. "It seems the authorities are bringing all the Heroes in this. Well, at least the ones they trust it seems."

"You know, you could have told me all of this on a simple call," Nemuri commented, a little miffed that Aizawa had pulled her away from her conversation with Izuku for something so simple.

"I just wanted to do it face-to-face. Who knows who is listening on those calls." Aizawa stood up from the couch. "The briefing will happen in three days. Be at the Musutafu Police Bureau, 12 o'clock midnight sharp."

Nemuri nodded with a determined expression. "Alright."

Aizawa stared at Nemuri's determined face neutrally. He was wondering if he should bring the topic up or not, causing him to hesitate and consider his next words.

"You want to say something?" Nemuri asked, giving Aizawa a questioning look.

Aizawa took a deep breath before he fixed Nemuri with a blank look. "Nezu has been asking about you," he said. His next words almost stopped in his throat when he noticed the sudden shift in Nemuri's expression from a determined look to a subdued one. "He was saying that he misses his little tea sessions with you."

"Oh..." Nemuri muttered, her eyes downcast and not meeting Aizawa's. Her last memories with Nezu were a little hurtful and painful to remember.

"Nem-"

However, Aizawa never managed to finish his words as Nemuri interrupted him instantly. "I think you should go," Nemuri said, looking up and giving Aizawa a tight smile. "And I think it is best to keep the past as the past."

Aizawa released a sigh. Oh well, he had tried but Nemuri was as stubborn as you could get. He nodded, accepting his defeat in this matter. From the right pocket, he pulled out a letter with the initials U.A. emboldened on it in gold. He put the letter down on the tea table and patted it softly.

"See you at the meeting," Aizawa said, before he pivoted around and began his track towards the apartment's exit door, Nemuri not following behind him. He took her absence as cue to leave without announcement which he did. He had other matters to look after anyways.


Evening, the next day...

"That was a total snooze-fest, wasn't it?" A black-haired man joked as he exited the theater, holding the door open for his companions. Behind him, a woman with matching dark hair and a little girl with the same raven locks followed.

The woman shot him a sideways glance, her voice dry. "You were the one who insisted we come here." She adjusted the little girl's mittens, ensuring they were snug against the winter chill. Her other hand was busy fixing her coat and wrapping her scarf more securely around her neck.

The man chuckled at her words, his laughter warm and genuine. "Well, all my buddies seemed to love the opera for some reason." He shrugged, a playful nonchalance evident in his gesture. "As a good friend, I figured I ought to give it a shot." He looked down at the little girl, his eyes softening. "What did you think, sweetie?"

The girl gazed up at him, her eyes wide and curious, filled with the innocence of childhood. "I liked it," she admitted, her smile shy but sincere. "I wish we could have stayed a little longer."

The man's face fell in mock despair. "Aw, man. You should have said so when we were leaving. I would have stayed back for you, sweetie."

"I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable," the little girl responded shyly, glancing down at the pavement.

The man felt tears well up in his eyes as he gently poked his little girl's cheeks. "Oh, no! My little girl is already growing up and thinking about her poor old man. I don't want you to grow up so soon, sweetie."

"Eren! Act your age, please," the woman sighed, rolling her eyes at her husband's antics. He always had to be so eccentric. Reminding him of his status seemed to be useless in keeping his eccentricities at bay.

Eren leaned closer to the little girl's ear, cupping his hand beside his lips. "This lady is a party pooper, isn't she? Maybe we can leave her at home when we go out next time." Of course, the moment those words left his lips, he was promptly fist-bumped on his head by his wife. He glanced up and pouted at her. "Poo~"

The little girl giggled at their antics. They would always quarrel like this, but somehow, they made it seem so lovey-dovey, just like in those mangas she had read.

Eren stretched to his full height and offered his right hand to the little girl, who grasped it without a moment's hesitation. "Let's head home. We can still enjoy a nice, home-cooked meal," he said, a warmth in his voice.

The theater exit was tucked away at the opposite end of the entrance, opening onto a quiet, secluded street. Their car was parked out front, which meant they had to walk the length of the dimly lit street. Despite this, their pace was leisurely and their spirits high. Eren was regaling his wife and daughter with jokes from a show he had seen earlier that week, their giggles filling the night air. His little gir walked with the same elegant grace as his wife, a mirror image of poise and charm.

However, their cheerful moment was abruptly cut short when a man stepped out of the shadows and stood in their path, causing them to halt mid-step. Their laughter faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by a sense of unease. The man was cloaked in a black jacket, the hood pulled low over his face, casting his features in darkness. His hands remained hidden in his jacket pockets, his stance casual yet somehow menacing.

Suddenly, more men appeared and surrounded the family of three. "Mikasa," Eren whispered, his jaw clenched. His wife, Mikasa, huddled closer to him, putting their daughter between themselves, her protective instincts kicking in.

The man who had intercepted their path pulled out his right hand from his pocket, now holding a gun which he pointed at Eren. "Don't even try anything, Mr. Yaoyorozu," the man said arrogantly, his voice dripping with menace.

Eren felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. He was sure that he and Mikasa could easily take these goons out, but his quirk required a lot of space and time to activate. And while Mikasa was fast, neither wanted to risk their little girl's life by doing something unnecessary. He raised his left hand in a placating manner. "Alright," he began to speak slowly, his voice steady but laced with a hint of desperation. "Let's all calm down. There's no need for any of this." He tried to reason with them, his eyes scanning the faces of the men surrounding them. "Just tell me what you guys want, and I will give it to you. Do you want money?"

With his right hand, Eren pulled his purse out and held it high. "It has a few hundred thousand yen in it, along with my credit card. Just take it and let us go." His voice was calm, but the tension in his body was palpable, his muscles coiled and ready to act if needed.

The man with the gun tilted his head. "You're quite rich, aren't you, Mr. Yaoyorozu," he said in an amused tone. "But money isn't what we truly want. We need something else. Something from your...company."

Eren's lips twitched. From his company? What could they possibly want from there? "What do you want from there?" he asked carefully. While it wasn't very well known to the public, his company often dealt with some important military-grade material that he jointly produced with the governments of the USA and Japan.

"There is a machine in there," the man said in a monotone. "A machine to—" However, he never got the opportunity to continue as a dart pierced his extended arm and went straight through it. The sudden impact caused the thug to release the gun, which clattered to the ground.

The gathered men, along with Eren and Mikasa, started to frantically look around for the attacker. However, they never expected to hear a robotic voice come from where the man was standing.

"You guys should leave."

Eren and Mikasa's head snapped in the direction of the voice and their eyes widened immediately when they landed on an armored child-sized figure who was pointing a gun at the fallen man's head. "Don't talk," the armored figure said, shoving the gun's barrel at the man's temple. The cold, mechanical tone sent a shiver down Eren's spine.

"N-Night C-Crawler?" One of the gathered thugs stuttered in obvious fear. "W-What are y-you doing here? Y-You don't o-operate here."

The now identified Night Crawler tilted his head in introspection. "Just because I don't operate here does not mean I am not going to operate here," he said in a monotonically robotic tone. "Leave now. And you will not have problems."

"H-Hey! D-Don't try to act all h-high and m-mighty, N-Ni-Night Crawler," one of the thugs said, trying to sound confident. "W-We c-can f-f-fight you. We have more numbers..."

Suddenly, a shot was fired. In just a blink of an eye, a bullet had grazed the thug's cheek, cutting it shallowly. No one had seen Night Crawler's hand move, and reacting to the shot was out of the question.

The little girl with Eren and Mikasa closed her ears with her hands, cowering in fear at the ongoing events that she knew could turn violent any moment. Mikasa laid her hands gently on the girl's shoulder, wishing that the girl could perceive it as a comforting one and not a worried one.

"I can kill all of you within seconds," Night Crawler said, his robotic voice taking on an unnerving edge. "A blink of an eye and all of you would be gone. But I am trying to be reasonable here. Let's not make this bloody. There is a child here." He then shoved the man held at gunpoint forward with a kick at the shin. "Take him and run as far as possible. You have ten minutes before I start hunting you."

The thugs exchanged terrified glances, their bravado crumbling in the face of Night Crawler's cold, calculated threat. They knew it was their cue to leave. They rushed forward, picked up their fallen comrade, and scurried away, desperate to put as much distance between themselves and Night Crawler as possible.

Night Crawler stood there motionless, watching as the thugs scrambled their way out of the street. Without so much as a glance at the family he had saved, he turned around and was about to rush away himself when—

"Wait!" The black-haired man he had saved called out to him.

Night Crawler stopped and slowly turned around to face the man, his lips a thin line. His mask, devoid of eyeholes, gave him an eerie, almost otherworldly appearance.

"You're Night Crawler?" Eren asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. His brows were scrunched up, and his eyes searched for answers. "I thought you would be older than...what you look now."

In Night Crawler's mind, he felt that the man was going to waste his time. He was about to turn around and leave, but Eren started speaking immediately.

"We never got to thank you," Eren said, catching Night Crawler off guard. "You saved us." He moved aside, revealing his wife and little girl, whom Night Crawler assumed to be his daughter. "You saved my little girl and my wife."

"I am quite sure you and your wife could have saved yourselves," Night Crawler intoned. He had done his fair share of research on one of the richest families in Japan. He was well aware of what Eren and his wife, Mikasa, were capable of with their quirks. It always made him wonder why someone like Eren had not wanted to become a Hero. "And as for thanks," he said slowly, "you never have to."

Night Crawler turned around and once again prepared to leave, but it seemed that Eren was not done yet with his yapping.

"But you're still our Hero!" Eren said, once again catching Night Crawler by surprise. "You saved my family." He paused, his voice suddenly taking on a sadder tone. "You look like you're about my little girl's age," he said. "I don't know why you're doing this. But please, let me help you in any way you need!"

Night Crawler was frozen in his place, staring down at the pavement through his mask. Did he hear him correctly? Did he just...? "A Hero, huh?" Night Crawler muttered almost melancholically. He chuckled hollowly. "I am no Hero, Mr. Yaoyorozu. I am just a fraud pretending to do something good for society when all I am doing is harming it even further." He turned around and glided his way towards Eren, standing a few feet away from him as he looked up at the taller man. "And as for help..." Suddenly, an idea came to his mind, a risky idea no doubt. "There is a way you can help."

Eren nodded in determination. It was still surreal for him to know that Night Crawler was just a child, and for a child to have such maturity was sorrowful in itself. "How can I help?"

"Not here," Night Crawler shook his head in denial. "I will come to your office at midnight tomorrow. We will discuss it there." Night Crawler was about to turn around and leave, but his eyes fell on the fearful look the little girl was giving him. "Are you afraid of me?" He asked, his voice changing from a robotic tone to his normal, childish one.

The little girl looked at Mikasa, who was still holding her shoulder, for guidance. Mikasa sent her a nod, giving her permission to interact with Night Crawler. "Y-Yes," she stuttered, her voice trembling with nervousness.

Night Crawler stared at her through his mask. His Six Eyes told him that her quirk had something to do with her skin and fats, but not much else. That information was enough to satiate his curiosity about the ward of the richest couple in Japan. "That's good," he finally said, not wanting to stare for longer. "That's very good actually. Being afraid of something unknown does show that you're human. I guess."

"A-Are you afraid of something too?" The girl asked with morbid curiosity.

Suddenly, the images of the dead people, a burning city, and the haunting face of the President flashed before Night Crawler's eyes. "Many things," he said slowly. He looked at the girl and said, "I am afraid of many things too. Things that I wish..."

"Then, how do you do all these things?" The girl asked, her stuttering slowly disappearing as the conversation progressed and she got comfortable with Night Crawler's presence.

"I just... I don't know," Night Crawler admitted, his voice going almost to a whisper. "I guess I don't think of it too much." He looked at the girl behind his mask and asked, "You want to be a Hero?"

The girl nodded shyly. Night Crawler did notice the small smiles on Eren and Mikasa's faces as they saw their ward nod at the question.

"Why?" Night Crawler asked. Someone like her, who had grown up surrounded by money, security, safety, and prosperity, what could be her desire to be a Hero?

"Because I want to make my parents proud!" She said, her eyes suddenly lighting up with a determined fire.

"I see..." Night Crawler replied. It was really that simple, huh? To want to become a Hero to honor one's parents. Nothing more, nothing less. No concern about the world ending or the country going to war with another. Just to make her parents proud. Being a Hero, really was that simple. "That's a really good motivation," he said, his lips curling up in a small smile. "I am quite sure they are going to be proud of you."

"Do you...want to be a Hero too?" The girl asked, causing Night Crawler's lips to purse into a thin line.

"Yeah... I once wanted to be..." He said, releasing a soft, melancholic sigh.

"Why?" The girl asked innocently, probably curious about his motivations just like he was about hers.

"I don't know anymore," Night Crawler confessed, his lips stretching into an almost broken smile. "I lost my motivation a long time ago. So, I guess I can't really answer that."

"Oh..." The girl made a disappointed sound but perked up soon after. "I am Momo Yaoyorozu, by the way."

"You should not go around giving your names to strangers," Night Crawler said, wondering why she just told him her name.

"My aunt told me that you can give your name to someone you trust," the girl said with a beatific smile, causing Night Crawler's eyes to widen under his mask and a blush to spread across his cheeks, thankfully also hidden behind his mask.

Night Crawler let out a chuckle. "One day, I hope I can tell you my name too," he said, before turning to Eren and Mikasa. "Thank you for letting me talk with her."

Mikasa smiled in a motherly way at Night Crawler. "You don't have to thank us. We are just happy that Momo could talk to you too."

Night Crawler turned to Momo. "I will look forward to seeing you as a Hero," he said before turning around. Without much occasion, he started running, leaving the family alone in the street. He would maintain a distance and watch them until they got to their car, after which he also needed to go after the thugs that had surrounded the family.

"And I will look forward to you too! And I believe you! You can find your motivation to be a Hero again," Momo yelled on top of her lungs.

Night Crawler could not help but chuckle sorrowfully. Sometimes, some wishes never came true. And he knew, that hers would also not come true.


Two days later...

Midnight stood outside the Musutafu Police Bureau. She was wearing a fluffy pink colored fur coat that covered her entire body, hiding her Hero Costume from people's eyes. She took a deep breath, her heart racing with anticipation, as she pushed open the door.

As she stepped inside, the bustling atmosphere quietened down, and all eyes turned towards her. She offered a brief smile, waving at the officers and staff, but today, she wasn't in the mood for her usual playful, explicit antics. The situation was too serious, and her mind was focused on the task ahead.

A female police officer with feline features approached her, eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you have clearance?" she asked with firm yet polite tone.

Midnight nodded, producing the clearance paper Aizawa had given her earlier. "I do," she replied, handing it over.

The officer scrutinized the document, her eyes scanning the details before she crumpled it up and pocketed it. "This way, please," she said, her tone changing from suspicious to a more friendly one. She gestured for Midnight to follow.

Midnight trailed behind the officer through a maze of doors and rooms, her senses on high alert. They eventually descended into what seemed to be the basement—a dimly lit area that felt oddly out of place in a police station.

Even after reaching the basement, Midnight continued to follow the officer through another set of doors before they finally came to a halt. "The meeting is in there. First room on the left," the officer said, pointing to a door.

Midnight nodded, her gaze fixed on the door. She pushed it open and stepped into a cold, dimly lit corridor. The damp air sent a shiver down her spine, but thankfully, she was wearing her trusty designer, Gucci coat. If she had come down here only wearing her non-existent Hero Costume, she would have to use her special heaters. While really enjoyable, they consumed a lot of battery and it was really one hell of a job to recharge them.

Her moment of blissful pondering was abruptly cut short by a deep, rumbling voice. "Are you going to walk or not, woman?"

Midnight's eyes snapped wide, and she turned to face the speaker. Standing before her was the Flaming Hero, Endeavor, his arms crossed over his chest. The tall man loomed over her, his stern expression and narrowed eyes radiating disapproval.

Midnight's smile remained intact, unbothered by his stern stare, as she greeted him. "Oh my~ If it isn't the dear Flaming Hero," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "How's it going, Number Two?" Her tone was light and playful.

Endeavor's eyes narrowed further, his expression unyielding and tightening. "Just fine," he grumbled, his voice low and rough.

Midnight's smile widened, and she leaned into her teasing. "My, my~ You don't seem to be in the best of moods, Hero," she remarked, her voice laced with innuendo. "Need a little old me to show you a nice time~? You clearly could use it." She added, licking her lips sensually.

But Endeavor didn't seem to appreciate her playful banter. His flames flared wildly, reflecting his anger, and the room grew noticeably hotter. Midnight's lips curled upwards in a smile, enjoying making the Number 2 angry. She took a step back and raised her hands in a calming gesture. "Alright, alright. It seems you are too hot to enjoy being with me." She joked with a carefully placed pun.

A moment later, Endeavor's flames subsided, and the intense heat dissipated. "Just... stand aside," he growled, his voice thick with irritation.

Midnight's smile never wavered, and she stepped aside, allowing Endeavor to pass. She watched him go, her gaze lingering on his back. There was something in his eyes she hadn't noticed before—something that almost resembled regret. And his voice... Did it sound dejected?

Shaking her head, Midnight followed Endeavor, maintaining a few meters of distance. She had no desire to get tangled up in the thoughts of a married man, no matter how intriguing they might be.

As they walked, Endeavor suddenly came to a stop. Midnight approached cautiously, noticing that he was holding a door open, his eyes fixed on her. It was the door that the police woman that had accompanied her told her about; the door to the room where the briefing was going to take place. He made a small noise, a grunt of acknowledgment, and Midnight nodded, locking eyes with him.

"Thanks," she said as she entered, with Endeavor following close behind. The room they stepped into was a stark contrast to the damp, cold corridor. The ceiling, walls, and floor were made of pure white marble, and a large round table sat in the center, surrounded by heroes.

Midnight immediately spotted Aizawa and Present Mic, with an empty seat beside Present Mic. She hurried over and took the vacant spot. "Thanks for saving me a seat," she said with a smile.

Endeavor also found a seat at the round table.

"Isn't this wonderful?" a loud voice suddenly called out, drawing everyone's attention.

Midnight turned to the speaker, her brows furrowing in curiosity. The woman had bunny ears—were they part of her costume, or were they her quirk?

"All my rivals gathered here. But it doesn't matter," the woman continued, her voice loud and confident. "I am the Rabbit Hero, Miruko, by the way." She introduced herself boisterously accompanied with a toothy grin. "And one day, I'm going to surpass even you!" she declared, pointing directly at Endeavor.

The room fell silent at her bold proclamation. Midnight suppressed a giggle. The girl had guts and balls of steel for challenging Endeavor so openly, and in front of all the other heroes.

Endeavor stared at her, his face showing no emotions. His hands had not moved from their position once from being crossed across his chest. He made a noise that sounded too similar to a 'hmph' in his guttural voice. "You're welcome to try," he said as if offering her a challenge in good nature.

Moments later, a police officer and a man wearing a light brown fedora and a matching long coat entered the briefing room. They quickly approached the digital screen at the front, and the attention of every Hero in the room shifted toward them.

"Alright, thank you all for being here," the police officer began, addressing the room filled with Heroes. "For those who don't know, I'm Officer Shirigane. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance tonight."

Unfortunately, his greeting was met with silence. Midnight couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him. Heroes often had rivalries, and some of the ones gathered here were even at odds with each other. The tension in the room was palpable, thickening the atmosphere.

"Right," the officer licked his dry lips nervously. "I apologize for calling you all here tonight—"

"Can we get to the point?" Endeavor interrupted dryly. "Some of us have important work to attend to."

"R-Right," Officer Shirigane stammered, visibly growing more nervous. This wasn't how he had imagined the meeting would go. He knew Heroes could be terse with each other, but he hadn't anticipated the tension being this thick.

The man in the fedora, who had been standing quietly to the side, stepped forward. He gestured to the officer to let him take over. "Hello. I'm Detective Tsukauchi, and I apologize if we've called you at an inconvenient time. Let's get started so that we can get to the 'point' without much waste of time."

Officer Shirigane handed Tsukauchi a remote. The detective turned to face the digital screen, pointing the remote at it. The screen flickered to life, and several images appeared. Two in particular caught Midnight's attention: one of a warehouse and another of a tube containing a bluish fluid.

"As you may already know, a few days ago, Ms. Midnight here apprehended a group of thugs in the abandoned-"

"Wasn't that outside her jurisdiction?" a female voice interjected.

The woman who spoke was strikingly beautiful, with long black hair tied into a ponytail that reached the floor, and purple eyes that gleamed with confidence. Her outfit, though slightly less revealing than Midnight's, was still provocative. She wore a short, one-piece dress with a deep V-shaped opening in the front that stopped just above her pelvis, exposing a significant amount of skin and cleavage. The sides of her dress were held together by thin threads, revealing generous glimpses of her figure, including her sideboobs.

Midnight sighed in frustration. Of course, it had to be Dancer—another X-Rated Heroine who enjoyed pretending to be her rival. 'My rival! The audacity!' Midnight hmphed mentally. Especially with a Hero Name like that.

"We are supposed to not act outside our jurisdiction," Dancer continued, pointing at Midnight with an accusatory tone. "What was she doing there anyway?"

"Why, Strip Dancer," Midnight retorted slyly, deliberately mangling her Hero Name, "upset that a better Heroine is here to handle the case?"

"You damn HUSSY!" Dancer screamed, rising from her seat and slamming her palms against the table in anger. "A better Heroine? All you do is flash your damn pussy, you bitch! You think that makes you—"

"ENOUGH!"

The room fell silent as everyone turned toward the speaker—none other than Endeavor, who did not look pleased.

"You two can argue later. Some of us 'Heroes' have work to do and places to be," he said, his voice rough and unrelenting.

Midnight's jaw clenched at the hidden insinuation in Endeavor's words, implying she wasn't a true Hero. Of course, the prim and proper Endeavor would look down on her—the so-called bimbo, slut Ms. Midnight. These were exactly the type of men Midnight loved to crush. Men who looked down on women. Unfortunately, Endeavor wasn't a villain, so beating him up wouldn't make sense. That is—if she even could.

"As I was saying," Detective Tsukauchi continued, unfazed by the interruption, "thanks to Ms. Midnight, we were able to apprehend what appears to be a very dangerous drug ring. And this isn't just any drug operation. These people were dealing in something highly illegal, something that could cause an uproar in society if it got out."

"What kind of drug are we talking about?" the Cowboy Hero, Snipe, inquired.

Detective Tsukauchi turned to face the gathered Heroes, his expression grim. "A Quirk-Enhancing and Inducing kind."

"Quirk... Enhancing...Inducing?" Dancer muttered in shock. Endeavor's eyes narrowed, his surprise masked carefully. The other Heroes were equally taken aback.

"So, what does it do? Power up people with quirks?" Miruko asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed," Tsukauchi confirmed with a nod. "But it's not just limited to that. Apparently, the thugs that Midnight apprehended turned out to be quirkless."

"So, the drug grants quirks to quirkless people," Present Mic muttered, his voice carrying through the room. "That sounds like... magic."

"Not magic. But science," Detective Tsukauchi corrected, turning back to the digital screen. "From what our doctors have discovered, it appears the drug introduces an X-factor into the genes of quirkless individuals. As you know, quirkless people are born without the X-factor in their genes. This drug adds the missing X-factor, thereby granting them quirks."

"And how are these quirks given?" Dancer asked with a frown. "I mean, can the drug takers decide what kind of quirks they get, or do they just receive random ones?"

"Our limited understanding of the drug suggests it's the latter," Tsukauchi answered. "It seems quirks are granted at random. However, once our doctors conduct a more thorough analysis, we should gain a clearer picture of how it operates."

"And what happens when someone with a quirk takes the drug?" asked another Hero, his voice muffled by a strange mask.

"Their quirks are strengthened," Tsukauchi said grimly.

"That would explain why the quirks of these villains keep getting stronger and stronger," the same Hero muttered.

"Something this 'magical' must come with a downside, right?" Midnight asked, voicing her thoughts for the first time that night.

"You're indeed right, Ms. Midnight," Tsukauchi replied with a nod. He swiftly turned to the screen and clicked a button on the remote. The screen flickered, displaying several charts. "It appears that when a quirkless individual takes the drug, their durability is significantly reduced. We suspect that even a bullet to the skull could cause their entire head to explode like a balloon. There are other side effects too, such as memory loss, decreased bone density, weakened eyesight, and an overall decline in cognitive function. These are just some of the weaknesses we identified after examining the thugs who had taken it."

"And what about those with quirks?" Endeavor asked, his voice heavy with concern. "What disadvantages do they face?"

Tsukauchi turned to the Flame Hero and nodded before addressing the entire room. "You may recall that in recent times, some villains have suddenly lost control of their quirks."

The room collectively nodded.

"The doctors hypothesize that this loss of control could be linked to the drug," Tsukauchi explained. "As I mentioned earlier, the drug introduces an X-factor into the genes of its users. In theory, the drug should affect those who already have an X-factor in their genes in a similar manner. If that's the case, their genes would now contain not one but two X-factors, which could cause their quirks to spiral out of control. Of course, this is speculative at the moment, given the limited data we have of the effect of the drug on those with quirks."

The room was plunged into an uneasy silence, each hero wrestling with the gravity of the situation. The tension hung heavy until Endeavor finally broke the quiet with a pointed question.

"How sure are we that none of us here have already taken the drug?" Endeavor's voice cut through the air, drawing stunned gazes from everyone in the room.

"What the hell are you implying, old man?" Miruko snapped, her voice dripping with outrage. "Are you accusing us of being no better than villains?"

Endeavor barely acknowledged her outburst, his gaze locked on Tsukauchi. "What guarantee do we have that none of us here has already gotten their hands on this drug?"

'He does not even consider us Heroes,' Midnight thought bitterly, though she begrudgingly admitted he had a point.

Tsukauchi sighed deeply, the weight of Endeavor's question evident. "We considered that possibility, but ultimately, we decided that if someone here had taken the drug, their quirks would likely show some form of change—or at least, that's what we're hoping for."

"That's a lot of hope you're banking on, Detective," Endeavor replied, his tone grim.

Tsukauchi offered a thin smile. "You're right. But then again, Heroes are supposed to give hope, aren't they?"

Endeavor regarded the detective for a moment before letting out a low chuckle. "Nice wordplay," he remarked, somewhat amused.

"But we didn't just rely on hope," Tsukauchi continued, his tone more assured. "You'll notice that several heroes aren't present today. That's because we've already narrowed down our suspect list, and those gathered here are, for now, deemed trustworthy. However, that doesn't mean you're free from scrutiny. In the coming days, we'll be conducting drug tests on all Heroes in Japan to root out anyone who has abused this substance. For now, we ask for your full cooperation."

"You have mine," Endeavor said as he rose from his seat. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have important matters to attend to." With that, he strode out of the room without another word.

"Isn't he acting a little off?" Present Mic remarked, his eyes following the Flame Hero's retreating figure.

"He always acts off," Eraser Head muttered as he got to his feet. He glanced over at Midnight. "You coming?"

"You go ahead," Midnight replied with a smile. "I've got a few questions for Detective Tsukauchi."

"About the drug?" Eraser Head asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Something like that," Midnight answered, her tone nonchalant.

Eraser Head gave a brief nod before heading out with Present Mic. One by one, the remaining Heroes and the Police officer filed out, leaving only Midnight and Detective Tsukauchi in the room.

"Is there something I can assist you with, Ms. Midnight?" Tsukauchi asked, his voice polite.

Midnight leaned back in her chair slightly, a playful edge in her voice. "You know, all this formal talk makes me a bit itchy," she teased. With deliberate grace, she lifted her right leg onto the table, crossing her left leg over it, her posture exuding a mix of dominance and sensuality. Folding her arms under her chest, she subtly accentuated her figure even though she was wearing a large coat over it. "For starters, you can tell me how things are progressing with our little resident vigilante. How close are you to capturing him?"

"Not good," Tsukauchi admitted with a sigh. "He's been lying low lately. We haven't found a trace of him for the past week."

Midnight raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Is that so?" she mused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.

"Are you planning to go after him?" Tsukauchi asked, watching her closely.

"I'm seriously considering it," Midnight replied, a smirk playing on her lips. "Might be fun to try my hand at catching that slippery snake."

"Well, good luck with that. Eraser Head's been chasing him for a while, but no luck so far," Tsukauchi said, another sigh escaping him.

Midnight spun her chair around before gracefully hopping to her feet. "Sometimes, all it takes is a woman's touch," she said in a sing-song tone, giving Tsukauchi a playful wink. "By the way, care to join me for a good night?"

"Please, no."

"Teehee~"


Midnight found herself perched on a bench in the heart of the park where she'd conversed with Izuku only a few days ago. The park's lights cast an ethereal glow, but the place was otherwise deserted, offering her a refuge from the pulsating energy of the day. This spot had become her sanctuary, a place where the quiet of the night offered her a peace that the bustling world never could.

Her heels lay discarded on the grass, her coat draped casually over the backrest of the bench. She sat cross-legged, her back pressed against the cool metal of the bench. Her arms were stretched out, draped lazily over the top, as she finally allowed herself to unwind. With no hero duties to perform for now, she could finally bask in the stillness of the night.

On any other night, this quiet, empty atmosphere would have been the perfect backdrop for her to indulge in a more intimate way. The thought of pleasuring herself under the open sky, with the thrill of potential discovery, usually excited her. But lately, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. 'Am I getting old?' she wondered, a twinge of frustration gnawing at her.

Suddenly, a light tap on her shoulder sent a jolt through her. Midnight sprang to her feet, instinctively taking a defensive stance. She whirled around, heart pounding, only to find herself face-to-face with Izuku, clad in his vigilante gear.

Midnight's brows furrowed as she relaxed slightly, her heart still pounding from the rush of adrenaline. "Oh, it's you," she sighed, relief flooding her voice. "Next time, if you want to greet me while I'm alone and wearing my Hero costume, do it from the front. You nearly gave me a heart attack."

Izuku remained silent, simply nodding in acknowledgment.

"Out on your vigilante business again?" Midnight asked, her tone carrying a hint of disappointment that he was still roaming the night. "You know, showing up like this is just going to make me have to catch you."

Izuku didn't respond immediately. Instead, he vaulted over the bench with a fluid grace, approaching her with a calmness that suggested he didn't see her as a threat. Reaching into a pocket of his armor, he pulled out a piece of paper and extended it to her.

Midnight raised an eyebrow as she took the paper and unfolded it, her curiosity piqued. "These are... place names?" she asked, giving Izuku a questioning look.

"Places where thugs have shown up over the past week," Izuku explained, his voice sounding distorted and robotic, a stark contrast to the already somber tone she had heard just three days ago.

Midnight couldn't help but feel a tinge of unease at the altered tone of his voice, but she pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand. "You think I can get some intel on the drug syndicate from these spots?" she asked, connecting the dots of his intention.

Izuku nodded, a simple gesture that conveyed his confirmation without the need for further words.

Midnight arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "That's all well and good, but why are you doing this?"

Izuku shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his head—a gesture that made it easy to imagine the blush spreading beneath the mask of his armor. "Well... you saved me, and I wanted to repay you. But... I... uh... I wasn't sure how, so I did what I'm best at. Hopefully, if you gather more intel on the syndicate while taking down thugs and saving people, it'll surely help boost your Hero Ranking."

"You know, a simple thank you card would've sufficed," Midnight said with a weary sigh. "I'm a Hero. I don't expect a kid to bring me intel on criminal rings."

Izuku's head drooped slightly, as if embarrassed by his naive actions. But then he felt a gentle poke on his forehead. Looking up, he found Midnight squatting in front of him, her thighs joined together and her face softened by a tender smile.

"But thanks for the information," Midnight said, her voice laced with genuine gratitude. "I may not be on Hero duty right now, but once I am, I'll check out these spots. Until then, how about you be my little secret sidekick?"

Izuku's cheeks burned beneath his mask, his voice suddenly returning to its normal tone. "T-Thanks, I'd love that," he stammered, his embarrassment apparent.

Midnight chuckled softly, a warm smile spreading across her face. "You know, when you're not trying to act tough, you're actually quite a cute kid."

"Uh…" Izuku hesitated, fidgeting nervously.

"What is it?" Midnight prompted gently, her eyes soft with understanding.

"I... I wanted to say that I was really inspired by the conversation we had that day," Izuku revealed shyly, his gaze cast downward. "And I am thankful for that talk."

"Hey." Midnight's chuckle was light and happy. "I also enjoyed that conversation."

What Izuku did next genuinely surprised Midnight. He grabbed his armor's mask and pulled it off, revealing his face. "Uh... I-I don't want to be a bother… But…"

"Yes?" Midnight inquired, her curiosity piqued by each hesitant word.

"C-Can we…" Izuku fidgeted in his spot, the tension in his body palpable.

Midnight's curious eyes softened, her voice encouraging. "Come on. Don't be shy. Ask me whatever is on your mind."

"Can we talk again?" Izuku finally gathered the nerve to ask, his voice steady but tentative. "That is, of course, if you don't mind."

Midnight's lips curled upward into a gentle smile. "Of course, I don't mind, silly. I told you I'm free right now." She gracefully moved to the bench and sat down, patting the spot beside her.

Izuku followed her lead and took a seat on the bench, his eyes flickering nervously as he glanced at her lap. Midnight noticed his gaze and a knowing smile spread across her face.

"You like them?" she asked with a teasing smirk, glancing down at her soft, supple thighs. He was at that age where he would naturally get curious about the other gender. There was nothing wrong with a bit of curiosity.

Izuku felt a blush rising up his cheeks as he quickly averted his gaze. "I-It's just…" He fidgeted nervously, shifting in his seat, a mix of embarrassment and apprehension evident in his movements. "Can I lay my head on your lap?"

Midnight let out a soft giggle, charmed by his innocent tone. If anyone were to meet this side of him, they would never guess that he was the vigilante Night Crawler who had been terrorizing the criminals on the streets. "Of course, I don't mind," she said, patting her right thigh softly, inviting Izuku to lay his head down on her lap.

Izuku shyly inched closer, before hesitantly resting his head on her thighs. He shifted a few times, adjusting himself until he found a comfortable position, his eyes gazing up at her face. She looked angelic in his eyes, just like his mother once had. "My mom used to put me to sleep like this when I had trouble sleeping," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Oh..." Midnight murmured softly, feeling her heart become heavy with a mix of sympathy and affection. She placed her right hand on Izuku's stomach, resting it there gently, while her left hand stroked his hair with tender care. From the way he spoke, it was clear he had lost his mother. 'This unfortunate soul...' she thought sadly, 'He's already suffered so much.' "She must have been a kind lady," Midnight said, her voice filled with warmth and empathy.

"She was..." Izuku's words came out soft, barely above a whisper. A tinge of melancholy shaded his voice as he dwelled on the memory of his mother. "I wonder if she hates me..." he murmured, his gaze drifting up to the star-filled sky. "The path that I've chosen... She had been...against it. But after I lost her... I lost everything... I thought this path was the right one. Until I realized she was right all along."

Midnight's voice was gentle and soothing as she began to speak. "Listen, Izuku. No mother in this world can ever hate their children, no matter what they end up being. To them, you were, are, and always will be the little baby they raised and nurtured with loving hands. So, I know—she doesn't hate you. Maybe she's a little disappointed, but hate? That's not possible."

"I hope you're right," Izuku said with a sigh, his eyes clouding with sadness. But deep in his heart, he still felt that his mother would not have approved of the path he had chosen for himself—a path that now he desperately wanted to claw his way out of.

The two of them lingered there, engaging in an effortless, lighthearted conversation. Izuku's curiosity was piqued, and he peppered Midnight with random questions about what the Heroes were really like. She did her best to answer honestly, enjoying the simplicity of their interaction. The more they talked, the clearer the picture became for Midnight. Izuku wasn't some deranged maniac out for vengeance; he was just a misguided kid, lost and searching for his path.

As their conversation flowed on for another hour, Midnight found herself growing increasingly fond of Izuku. She saw the potential in him, the innate goodness that was clouded by his circumstances. By the end of their talk, she was convinced that with the right guidance, Izuku could be reformed and integrated back into society.

Izuku mentioned he had to leave for some important work, a statement Midnight didn't entirely believe, but she didn't press the issue. She understood that everyone had their secrets. With a final nod and a warm smile, Izuku left, leaving Midnight alone in the park to contemplate her next course of action.

For now, Midnight wanted to be the person Izuku could truly trust. She longed for him to open up to her, piece by piece, until she could help him shed the burdens that weighed him down. Perhaps, with time and patience, she could guide him away from the vigilante path he had chosen. Maybe one day he would trust her enough to reveal who had forced him down this cruel path. Until then, she was content offering him a shoulder to lean on, a lap to rest on, and an ear to hear his pain. Trust, after all, was a delicate thing that took time to build.

If she could help Izuku reform, it would be the single most heroic act she could perform in her entire life. With determination, Midnight pushed herself off the bench, her resolve settling in her heart like a steadfast anchor. She slipped on her coat, concealing her Hero costume once again, and began to walk towards the park's exit. She was going to do her very best to aid Izuku, no matter what it took.

In the distance, the ominous cawing of a crow echoed, as if heralding the tumultuous events that lay ahead in her life.

Only time could tell if she would reach him or if he would slip out of her hands.


Chapter End


Next Chapter: The peace before the storm.