Relax (Part 3)

Denki had a huge smile on his face as he flew through the air. Tokoyami remained focused as to not drop his friend, since a fall at this height would be lethal. "I had no idea you could fly, dude!" "It's my newest technique: Black Fallen Angel! By having Dark Shadow hold onto me and rise up, I rise with him! It also leaves my arms free!" The two students landed in front of the Todoroki home. Denki corrected his hair. "Shit, you were going so fast that it-" "Don't you dare complain, so called hero in training." "Hey, now I have my own personal airborne taxi." "You are officially walking home now." Shoto opened the door. "Hey guys! Come on in! The food is almost ready!" Denki and Tokoyami were the last group of friends to enter the home.

Iida walked up to Chris and Jason, who had their plates of food in hand. "Excuse me, Chris, but do you have a moment?" Chris nodded to Jason, and Jason walked away. "Sure, what's up Iida?" Iida took a deep breath. "...I wanted to thank you…" "...for…?" "For bringing the Hero Killer Stain to justice." Chris looked around in a panic, trying to make sure nobody else heard that. He then looked at Iida, speaking in a whisper. "Keep that under wraps, would you? There's a reason Endeavor took the credit." Iida looked around, making sure the coast was clear. "Sorry." "Chris gave Iida a weird look. "Hy are you thanking me?" Iida looked at the ground with a sad expression on his face. "...The Hero Killer had attacked my older brother, the original Ingenium, and paralyzed him from the waist down. So, I just wanted to thank you for bringing that bastard to justice when I couldn't." Chris smiled. "You're welcome. Although, you really need to extend that thanks to Jason and Shoto. If it weren't for them showing up when they did, then I might've died too." "I intend to thank them too." As Iida turned away, Chris grabbed his arm. "Hey, who told you that we fought Stain?" Iida turned his head. "Mina told me." "...God dammit, Mina…"

Kirishima was standing by himself, nearly done with his food. "I hope you didn't fill up on burgers." Kirishima, in mid bite, turned to Jason, who continued talking. "I heard the ribs are nearly done." Kirishima swallowed his food before smiling. "Sweet. Thanks for letting me know." Jason lost his smile as he looked into his friend's eyes. "Dude, I'm here if you need to talk to someone." Kirishima got a worried look. "That took a dark turn. What are you talking about?" "Mina told me about the conversation you had with your dad before going into the Boardwalk Tower. Or rather, she told me about the lack of a conversation." Kirishima sighed. "I love that woman, but she talks too much." "Only because she cares." Kirishima forced a smile as Jason sat in the seat next to him. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine." Kirishima took a deep breath before looking at Jason. "...if it isn't too much of a burden for you…" Jason put his plate down and scooted it away, giving Kirishima his full attention.

"My father and I used to be close when I was growing up. As I said last year, he would take me camping all the time. It was a lot of fun. But then, my mother died. I don't remember the details all that well, but I remember she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and got hit by some villain during a robbery. It shattered her skull. I was never allowed to see the body. Dad and I were both devastated. It was then when I decided to become a hero, and I would save people so nobody would have to die like my mother. My depression fueled me into becoming something, someone, better. However, my dad… he… he turned to alcohol… and he never even tried to recover from it…" Kirishima's eyes started to water. Jason put his hand on Kirishima's. The redhead took another deep breath before continuing. "...It's been ten years… and my dad barely knows what's going on around him… I don't know… I don't know if I can help him.. Or if he would even let me…" Jason slowly nodded his head. "...Well, if it would give you closure, we can go with you to see your dad. If he wants to be in your life, he'll have to sober up. If he doesn't, you can walk away knowing you tried one last time." Kirishima looked up at Jason. "...you… you would go with me…?" Jason smiled. "We're friends, dude. We help each other out when the other needs it." Kirishima stood up and hugged Jason. Jason was taken aback by this, but eventually hugged his friend in return.

Endeavor and All Might stood at the grill. The retired hero looked up at Endeavor. "You've been working nonstop as a pro hero ever since you graduated UA. When did you learn how to cook?" "In my agency, we would often have to stand the night shift. Not even I was exempt from the night shift rotation. More often than not, the night shift would just cook food in the agency. I ended up installing a grill on the roof to learn something new." All Might smiled. "I'm surprised you had the time." "Heroes used to have a lot more time on their hands when we had a Symbol of Peace." All Might lost his smile as Endeavor continued. "Because you were around, our crime rate had been at a steady 5%. However, almost immediately after you retired, the crime rate shot up to 8%. Crime rates today are at 12%, and are projected to go back to the international average of 20% within two years." All Might looked down at his plate. He wished he could've been a Symbol of Peace until Chris was ready. Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

Jason was about to stand up when Chris, Mina, Momo, and Shoto all came into the room. Shoto shut the door behind her. Jason looked confused. "Is everything ok?" His friends all sat down. Kirishima looked at Chris. "...It's time…?" Chris nodded. Kirishima turned to Jason, wiping the last tears from his eyes. "Alright, Jason. You've always been there for us. Now it's time that we be here for you." Jason still looked confused. Mina turned in her chair to face Mina. "Remember when you woke up in the hospital after you fought All for One? You didn't tell us why you hid your quirk for so long." Jason, now understanding what they were trying to do, glared at her. "Stop." Chris leaned forward. "I have a funny feeling that it's the same reason you didn't tell us, didn't tell me, why you pretended to be homeless for a literal decade. Nothing will change between us. We just know that there's something bothering you. It's been bothering you for a while now. So please, tell us." Jason remained silent for a long time before sighing in defeat. "Fine, I'll talk. I'll tell you why I lied to you all."