27

Chapter Text

Let it be known, that Yu was ready for a lot of things.

Well, at least she thought she was ready for a lot of things. When she took it upon herself on taking in a ward, she was concerned. Yeah, she wasn't an idiot, it was going to be hard, but at the end of the day, it could be boiled down to simple stuff.

School trouble, girl trouble, and a few other things and the rest she could throw Peter to Shinji if he really wanted answers.

What she was not ready for, was for her ward to walk in one night, say that he'd gotten his AI friend out of his suit, and reveal that said AI was currently running through everything with an internet connection in the apartment complex. And was looking out via face-cam on Peter's laptop, combined with a window of an A symbol with an arrow across it, and a line that moved whenever this 'Karen' talked.

Creepy, invasive, but on a completely unrelated note, the WiFi has never been faster.

"So…" Yu started, running her finger along the edge of her water glass, "You're an artificial intelligence named Karen."

"Correct," the synthetic voice said from the tv speakers, speaking in crystal clear Japanese.

"You came from one of Peter's suits, which was given to him by his mentor, who I can guess was a very smart and intelligent Pro Hero."

"Correct."

"You're a super AI capable of what… taking over the world?"

"Such actions are not compatible with my programming," the voice said, "It would also be too easy with this nation's pitiful levels of security."

Yu froze, her glass halfway to her lips.

"That was a joke."

"N-no I knew, totally knew, haha."

Yu could practically feel the AI judging her behind the laugh.

Then Peter looked up from his supper and Yu wished her power was shrinking instead of growing.

Peter hasn't stopped grinning like a kid on Christmas morning since he got home. Looking back, Yu hadn't seen him this happy in a long time. The only thing that came close was his acceptance letter into U.A, and that was still leagues behind. Putting his tools down, Peter joined Yu at the kitchen table.

They were having leftovers, mostly cause Yu didn't want to cook, and Peter was too busy to even think about cooking.

"But anyway, what's this about service hours?" Yu asked, "Shouldn't you be focusing on your internship and hero studies? This is a bit out of the blue..."

Peter shrugged, digging into the Tai food.

"Well… I figured I get a jumpstart on being a hero in helping the community. It's what I did back home before I came to Japan. Plus it gets me out of the house and doing things, and outside of Japanese which I can learn with Karen and English just because," Peter paused as he sipped some water. "School is relatively easy. Plus, I still have a few days to kill before we actually focusing on internships, so might as well get out of the house and help people to pass the time he stopped, eyeing her with a nervous glint in his eye, "Though I've got to get registered at the service office. Mind giving me a ride before your shift tomorrow? I can walk back home once I'm done."

"Oh, ah Sure," Yu said, course that would mean waking up earlier than normal.

Goodbye a full night of beauty sleep, Yu knew thee well.

"I can calculate the fastest route to ensure that you get to work on time Mrs. Takeyama."

Yu's eye twitched, "Thanks, but could you not call me Mrs. Takeyama? It makes me feel old."

"I never meant to insinuate anything."

Yu blinked, was that sarcasm? From a machine? What the hell was happening right now?

"However, statistically speaking," it continued, "Considering your profession as a hero, you would fall under the category of-"

"In my golden years," Yu interrupted, a sickeningly sweet smile creeping over her features.

"I see, forgive me, my visual sensors must have glitched."

Yu couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was getting sassed by a computer program. A program that could probably destroy her reputation within one or two seconds, but that wasn't the point here! Yu slumped in her seat, trying not to look to annoyed as she ate.

Peter awkwardly hid behind his glass.

"So… you guys are getting along?"

Yu perked up, "Oh I'm fine, just… processing everything. You really know how to throw everything and the kitchen sink at a girl don't you?" She said with her hands on her hips.

Peter took a long drink after that. Aww, poor kid was embarrassed. Finishing up, Yu's eyes drifted over to the bundled mess that was the notes for Peter's new mask.

"How about you clean up your work, I'll get the kitchen tonight."

"Oh, ah, sure," Peter said, pushing out his chair and grabbing his laptop, and going back to his room to organize his personal workbench.

Yu watched him for a few steps before sighing. She hated cleaning, of any kind, but at least it was only leftover night. Throwing the dishes in the sink, she reached around for that elusive soap bottle-

"You've done rather well."

It was only the experience of being a hero that stopped Yu from shrieking like a little girl at the sudden voice. Her hand snapped to her phone, where a glowing blue circle with a diamond in the center flashed up at her.

"Karen?" Yu asked. "How did you-"

"I am here," the AI said, the logo on Yu's phone flashing as she did so. That same A Symbol...

"Did you break into my phone?"

"I do apologize for the intrusion into your personal space, but I felt it prudent to talk with you face to face as it were."

Yu narrowed her eyes at the phone, "Why?"

"For a little bit of girl talk."

Yu blinked, then she had to hide a snort behind her hand. That was honestly the last thing that she'd expected. Gently placing the phone next to the sink, Yu got to work, even as she heard more papers rustling across the hall as Peter came back to collect his notes.

"Alrighty then, how do you want to start this… girl talk?"

"I would prefer to go over your actions regarding Peter."

Yu stopped washing and glared down at her phone.

"Hey I'm trying my best here."

"And I can't thank you enough for what you've done."

"Oh… thanks," Yu said awkwardly.

"No thanks needed," the AI said, and going by the tone Yu assumed that she was smiling, if AIs could ever smile. "The core of my programing is to ensure that Peter is given the best assistance on his mission to become a hero, as well as provide whatever services that are expected of me as an assistant. Having been stuck within the confines of the Spider Suit Mk. 1, I was neglecting my primary function."

"It wasn't your fault," Yu said in her defence. From what she could gather, Peter was forced to do what he did to quote un quote 'Trap' Karen within the suit. It was no ones fault, it just sort of happened. An accident going how Peter removed the prior mask to get in fresh air.

"Be that as it may, what should have been my duty was taken up by you."

Yu shrugged, "What can I say? I'm a hero, it's what we do."

"A hero who used to bounce around Foster Homes, three acounts of property damage and two cases of illegal quirk usage ending in two cases of reckless endangerment."

A plate fell from Yu's hands. A second later, it clattered into the sink below and somehow didn't shatter, and Peter poked his head in the kitchen.

"You okay there Yu?"

Yu quickly shoved her hands back in the sink, "Y-yeah Peter, just being a little clumsy." She laughed awkwardly, getting ready to put it back in the dishwasher. "Don't worry one bit, hehe."

Peter gave her a warily look, but shrugged and went back to what he was doing. "Okay then." The second he was gone Yu was back glaring daggers at her phone.

"Where the hell did you find that out?" she hissed.

"I found it among your personal records," the AI said without a shred of regret.

"And you were looking through those because?"

"My core programing is to help Peter in any way that I can, that includes threat assessments of anyone that he interacts with. You were one of fifty three background checks that I've compiled."

Yu's eyebrow twitched, "Well goooood for you. Threat assessment… Please." She scoffed. She would never hurt Peter.

"I apologize if it seems like I was invading your privacy. I was only-"

"Seems?" Yu asked, "You hacked into the building, my home network, my phone and you just said that you went through my personal record. How on earth could you assume that you're doing anything but invading my privacy? Pretty sure that's illegal."

"There are no laws indicating Artificial Intelligences can be tried as a person. Therefore, everything I do, should it be by my own volition for the safety of another so long as it does not breach my Ultron Safeguard, is legal."

"Making it really easy to list reasons to keep you out of this house," Yu grumbled, putting the dishes away. And what's an Ultron Safeguard? The heck does that mean?

"I will comply with whatever wish you and Peter agree upon. As for your question, it is a restraining firewall that restricts me from accessing Military mainframes and servers, in addition to ensure that whatever I do on my own must be in Peter's interest. Hence, doing a background check."

That statement gave Yu some pause. Peter she could understand. He was the one she was programed to follow after all. Her though?

"Okay then, considering Peter is in charge of you, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. But, why would you care about anything that I have to say?"

"You are Peter's guardian," the AI said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"What about doing anything that you need to do to protect him?" Yu asked, folding her arms.

"I am programmed to assist him, you are the one willing to protect him. Due to my Safeguard, there is only so much I can do to protect him from a physical threat."

Yu felt the urge to crush something. This machine was making it really hard to stay angry at her! "So if I told you to never speak through the speakers again? You would?"

"If you want it, at least to you or whenever you are around. I will still commune with Peter in any fashion he so chooses. But as you are his Guardian. His parent. If you wish for me not to access your devices, say the word." the AI replied.

So she could? She's offering her a lot of rope.

Yu let out a little sigh "Karen."

The moniker in the middle of the phone stopped spinning.

"Whatever you did, it's fine, just keep helping him okay? I've never seen him so happy in the time I have known him… but be a bit more discreet when you do your 'background checks' okay? I don't want you two to get into any trouble."

"Understood." Anything that Karen needed to do, it would be worth it, if they could keep Peter smiling like that.

(X)

With that, the end of another Sports Festival has come to a close. Thankfully Shouta didn't need to do much, considering he is the Homeroom Teacher for the First Years. After the festivities, the man took it upon himself to check over his to-do list.

Right now, he seems to be caught up. All that's left is to plan for this Semester's Final Exam with Principal Nezu and to continue his little side project. His Summer Curriculum can be put on the back burner until after the Internships so he can get a proper gauge on his students after their first foray into the Professional Hero business.

His little side project? His investigation in Peter Parker.

So far, Musutafu hasn't been returning his calls, and for whatever reason it had to be because of Fukuda. He and the Police Chief go back nearly a decade since Shouta became a full fledged Underground Hero. He's given him countless tips and hints, information to many a crime ring and villain gang from his forays into the underworld. Hell, the shaggy haired man can even be a bit proud in helping Fukuda ascend to position of Police Chief of the district which housed U.A. Academy. He helped a fellow Detective get ahead in life, even if he is Quirkless.

Yet the man couldn't even return a phone call when asked about a Vigilante Report during Mt. Lady's debut.

If dancing around the subject over the phone wouldn't do it, then face to face will have to suffice. Fukuda has to know something.

Shouta parked in a public structure in his black podunk SUV with many a dent. Normally he would drive his top of the line yellow convertible to U.A., but this old piece of junk that belonged to his late mom was the perfect 'work' car in not drawing attention.

He exited the steel building and saw the Musutafu Police Department down the street, and before long, Shouta arrived, entering the building as the sun had already set.

The Police Station was alive with activity and phone calls, and Shouta took note of some deputies taking a chained up thug into the cells. He walked up to the secretary's desk, who perked up.

"Hello sir, how may I help you?" She asked. Shouta noticed that the girl was a cyclops of sort, mainly in that she had one eye above her nose and small cute horns coming out of her head.

"Good evening, I was hoping to talk to Chief Fukuda, if he's around," Shouta asked as he reached into his wallet. "And before you tell me the same old story of he's busy." And he showed her his Hero License. "Say that Eraserhead would like to talk over coffee."

The cyclopic girl perked up at the sight of his License, before biting her lip. Shouta has seen enough tells to see that Fukuda must have told her about him beforehand, and he can hear the warning sirens sound off in his head.

"Well… Fukuda-san is here." She replied. "He is in the middle of a meeting at the moment tho-."

"Then I'll wait outside his office." Shouta asked as he pocketed his license and walked forward.

"B-But Eraser-sa-"

"I know my way around thank you." Shouta bowed lightly and walked towards his office. Looking into a painting behind her from his periphery, he could see an Instant Message Window on her screen.

He picked up the pace, walking through the Station as other senior Officers and detectives nodded their heads his way. Huh, Osaka's all grown up? Wedding ring? Good for her. And Tachibana is still a donut hound as always, what with those boxes by his elephant sized chair.

Which made sense, considering he IS an Elephant.

Shouta got to the door, not even bothering to knock as he opened it, seeing Fukuda at his desk looking at his computer. Fukuda Botan was tight lipped before smiling.

"Eraserhead-san. Good evening."

"Evening Chief Fukuda." Shouta drawled, walking forward as he closed the door and sat down at his guest chair, noticing the lack of people in his office. "Teleconference?"

"Just wrapping up thankfully. My family is coming over for now. Been here since five in the morning coordinating security at the Festival." Fukuda replied as he leaned back in his chair. "It's only at the establishment across the street."

"Fine, I don't need to pry into your family matters." Shouta nodded. "Then lets not beat around the bush."

"About?" He asked, with a tone as if he knows what's coming.

"Well, how about not returning my calls regarding one of my students? I've sent eight phone messages since the beginning of April." Shouta narrowed his eyes. "And no responses regarding that subject, which I find curious considering Musutafu is usually on top of responding back to me when it comes to cases and investigations."

"Is that so." Fukuda shrugged. "Well, nothing much we can do there. I apologize for our inaction." He reached down under his desk, and the sound of rummaging through a plastic water bottle case sounded out as he pulled out a water bottle. "You mentioned a student. Let me guess." He began to turn the cap, the black-haired man's eyes dead set on the Erasure Hero. "Peter Parker."

"Bingo." Shouta groused. The chief breathed through his nostrils as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Is there something the matter? He is your student. I trust he's not acting up or anything." 'You don't even know.' Shouta mentally replied to that inquiry.

"Far from it, he's been a model student. He might be one of the best I've ever had aside from him acting like a fool during most exercises. Hell, outside of Togata Mirio, he's the closest one out of anyone in U.A. or the Pro Field to succeed All Might. He's that good, I admit it." 'When he's not trying to commit murder in a blind rage.' Shouta added mentally at the end. Fukuda chuckled, smilingly lightly as if he had a feeling that would be the case.

"I don't see why you would come to a Police Station to talk about him."

"Because he has more red flags than a Soviet Union Roleplaying Session." Shouta narrowed his eyes. "Almost everyone in my class has a past and a background that is traced and easy to understand, with no wild conveniences to speak of. Almost everyone in my class does not have access to I-Island level Support Gear combined with combat experience. Almost everyone in my class is not American and arriving at the same semester that All Might decided to teach at U.A., who also has a very similar power set and spent a lot of time in America, enough time to build connections. Relationships." He leaned forward, elbows on his knees and fingers interlocked as his dark eyes bore into his acquaintance.

The man blinked a bit before he took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he turned in his chair. "I wished Parker wouldn't have had a teacher like you. You're too paranoid."

"Blame Parker for doing too well on his Entrance Exam. Someone like him had to be paired with me." Shouta retorted. "Besides, if it weren't for my paranoia, I wouldn't even be alive, and you wouldn't be in that chair I reckon." Fukuda opened an eye, looking back at the Erasure Hero.

"Maybe." He nodded with a shrug. "But why am I entitled to tell you?"

"Because you know that I won't stop until I know for a certainty that Peter Parker is clean."

"He is, Aizawa." Fukuda retorted, his voice becoming stern and sharp.

"You want me to take your word for it, when you've been dodging me left and right with you not answering my calls. Cut the bullshit because I'm tired of it Fukuda." Shouta sat up in his chair. "You know something of Parker that isn't in the vigilante report."

"I figured you couldn't grill his guardian for it, she'd tell you to fuck right off and you wouldn't have the legal grounds" Fukuda drawled, adding a soft smirk. The Erasure Hero was starting to get a little peeved at how observant his acquaintance can be times.

"And you're absolutely right." Shouta took a deep breath. "I see the background Parker has, his power, his experience, his tech, and it does not match up with 'Living with a family friend in Japan, who has no connection by family and he has no known family in the States'. Not one bit." He narrowed his eyes as Fukuda seemed to glare back at him. He sighed, rubbing his eyes as he reached for his eyedrops. "You're fond of him, aren't you." As is everyone that Parker meets. He's like a damn magnet for people.

"You're not wrong. Plus, Parker won me up to a hundred thousand yen." Fukuda smirked and shrugged as the shaggy-haired man applied his eyedrops.

"Had a Pool for the Festival huh?"

"Everyone betted on Endeavor's kid. No one had Parker coming out on top. Except me."

"Hnnn. Still, you're not answering my question fully." Shouta blinked and pocketed his eyedrops. "What do you know of Peter Parker, and you better not give me the same crap in the Vigilante Report." He narrowed his eyes.

Fukuda took a deep breath before rubbing the bridge of his nose. "He's going to be a Hero. Not a vill-"

"I don't care if he's a fucking Martian. You know as well as I that everyone's past comes back in some way or other." Shouta glared, his eyes boring into Fukuda's own."So I can't let this go untouched. Not until I know."

"Always with the knowing. Always wanting to be the one who holds all the cards." Fukuda droned. "I can understand why Nezu made you in charge of Class 1-A."

"That and my Quirk can humble any troublemaker or walking WMD in an instant."

"That too," Fukuda perked up as he tilted his head, seeing something behind Aizawa. The man turned, and he spotted a woman with fox like features at the secretary's desk with two children, both of them had fox tails. Must be Fukuda's wife.

"You're not going to stop on this are you, even if I tell you I don't have to say a damn word to you," Fukuda mentioned as he grabbed his phone and his wallet.

"I'm not, no," Shouta stood up, standing just below the taller well shaven man. "And here I thought we had a good relationship of give and take after all these years. Guess that amounts to nothing then?"

"Well, I don't have to say a word, forgive me Aizawa-san." He then patted the Erasure Hero's shoulder. "Try reading some manga though. Open up your horizons. Maybe that will give you some peace of mind." The Police Chief gave a sigh as he stood up.

"What?" Shouta thought aloud as the man walked past him as he gave him a sideways glance before turning his attention to his children, laughing as he hugged and embraced his laughing and giggling son and daughter.

Eraserhead was confused. Read manga? Why the hell would a man as astute and smart as Fukuda ever sugg-

"A clue." He thought aloud as he exited the office, walking through the Station and giving light nods towards bowing Officers. Shouta opened the Station doors, the sky slowly transitioning into night as the gears in his head turned.

When he was undercover, Shouta would receive vague hints mentioned out of the blue from other undercover cops. When he was trailing a drug ring, he would get random tips like 'Go for a walk on the pier' or 'Check out the newest horror film'. All code for drug dens taking place in a harbor or in close proximity of a local cinema.

But… reading manga? Shouta cupped his chin in thought as he leaned against a lightpost, people walking past. Was Parker's history tied to… a bookstore? He spotted a bookstore down the street.

The man arrived at the bookstore, as Shouta ignored the stares. He got to the manga section and he crossed his arms.

'Read some Manga, open your horizons?' He repeated Fukuda's saying in his head, glaring at the selection of Monthly and Weekly Manga Magazines trapped in their plastic casing. He wouldn't just say that for no reason, Fukuda isn't like that. Worse of all, he can't just simply read the Magazine's table of contents for a quick read unless he bought the book.

The clue has to be in a manga, a currently running one. Fukuda wouldn't leave him with that little of a bread trail, small as it already is. But what exactly?

"Hey, mister." Shouta perked up, his eyes turning and seeing a bald kid, a white looking dog-boy, and a living blanket kid standing beside him, the corner hand of his inside… what appeared to be his mouth? "Are you contemplating what manga to buy mister?"

"It's obviously overwhelming him. I don't think he's seen or read any before." Blanket responded to Baldy. The older man rolled his eyes while the kid with the dog-like face snickered.

"I have once or twice." Screw it, he'll buy each volume. He went down, picking out each Weekly and Monthly Magazine of the current week and month. Shounen Rocket. Seinen Leap. Shoujo Run. Mecha Monthly. Horror Tome. He will need to check out the contents of each to find that clue.

"Wow! Where are you going to find the time to read all of that?" The blanket asked as Shouta had to steady the collection of books with his chin as he breathed out sharply through his nose. He has the money to spend on these, but to read through all of this...

But if it can help him solve the mystery of Peter Parker, so be it.

"A question for the ages," Shouta replied dryly and walked to the counter ready to pay as the trio of kids got to selecting their Magazines.

"I can't wait for Locke and Nietzche! Those two always make me laugh with their adventures, like them always boating out on the lake or when the lion tackles him when he gets home! Always makes me laugh!" Baldy said aloud excitedly.

"More of the Mecha Monthly! I wanna see Blue Ragoon beat the Line Pirates!" Blanket replied. "Oh! You're gonna pick Seinen Suneki-kun? I heard Arachno-"

Shouta was too far away to pick their rapid fire conversation, and he didn't care. The sooner he'd read these, the better he can get on with his life as a teacher and bringing the mystery of Peter Parker to a close.

(X)

Momo tapped her pen against her desk, the sound almost echoing in the utterly silent room. It was a silence that Momo was used to, but that didn't mean that she liked it. She always found a little bit of noise helped her concentration, even the sound of the rain pattering against her window would be a welcome distraction. However, her parents spared no expense when giving her room the proper upgrades to insure that her study time was free of distraction.

The entire room was sound proofed, activated with a single press of a button. At Momo's discretion, it could be taken off, but the routine was ingrained too deep. Silent study from the end of school till supper. Only two breaks were allowed each session, and those could only be if she had to go to the bathroom. Any other reason beyond requesting a drink was considered time wasted.

From the outside looking in, it probably seemed spartan, but it allowed her to maintain her grades to the best of her ability. Anything less would put her recommendation into U.A into question, and that would cause problems for the family, as her mother would say. Today was chemistry review, the compounds that made up standard military equipment being the main focus.

After her fight with Shiozaki, Momo needed to increase the range of her available arsenal. It also served as a refresher course for the upcoming tests. All Might was going to test them on what goes into a good suit for the chance at upgrades to the classes current designs.

Although, some of Momo's peers didn't need upgrades to their suits. What they had right now had the chance to remain what they got till they became pros. Not necessarily a bad thing, All Might proved that simple could be effective if your quirk was enough to make up for it.

Then there were those like her. After everything that's happened, needing time that she didn't have to have a chance against Shiozaki, or even distract the Noumu long enough to make something, Momo needed something more. Her encyclopedia fit on her back, but the rest of her belt didn't offer that much space. She needed, for lack of a better term, pockets on her utility belt.

A few prepared defences would go a long way. Several flashbangs, a carton of web formula…

Her pen stopped tapping.

Peter, she still needed to talk to him. He texted back that he was okay, but…

Momo quickly slapped her face. No distractions, just keep focusing. Even beyond friends, she still had to maintain her position in the class. As it's representative, she couldn't afford to do anything less.

If her Mother knew she would have forsaken time spent studying to talk to a 'boy' then...

Her pen flew across her notebook, the equations appearing on the page, memorized seconds after Momo finishes writing them.

Then, there's a bell.

Momo's hand froze, and she glances up to Tohno Gozoburo. The butler of the household stood in the doorway, as dignified as ever.

Momo glanced at the clock, 7:30.

"Supper?"

"Indeed, I am here to escort you to the dinning halls."

Momo felt a practiced smile run over her lips.

"I'm fine Tohno-san, I'll have it here."

She could eat quickly and then get back to studying.

"I'm afraid your mother insists with eating in the dining room tonight."

Momo perked up instantly.

"Mother wants to…" her voice trailed off, and she tried to ignore the slight shiver of nervousness that ran down her back. It was times like these she enjoyed having the manor to herself whenever Mother and Father were out on their business trips.

If Tohno saw it, he didn't react. Then again, he was paid not to react to pretty much anything. Quickly straightening her hair, Momo gave herself a quick look over in the mirror. Her mother wouldn't appreciate the few seconds of tardiness, but she would appreciate her looking like a fool even less. Seeing nothing, Momo quickly followed Tohno through the halls of her family mansion.

The Yaoyoruzu family had been in possession of the house since its inception. House records indicate it was one of the few families that was able to take advantage of the emergence of Quirks. An investment family that put most of its headings into technology and architecture.

So when the quirk boom nearly two centuries ago hit, the families finances exploded as everyone from support teams to building planners used the funds that the Yaoyoruzu family provided to rebuild.

An opportunity her ancestors called it, one of many that had to be taken if the family was to continue to prosper.

That kind of mentality lent itself to hero work more than most would expect.

Momo found herself stopping in front of the dining room, and Tohno opened the door as Momo entered.

Father was on his laptop, no doubt going over some work. He looked up, his long dark hair down to his shoulders and green eyes softened when he saw his daughter. He was the one who made the first call to her back after the U.S.J.

Mother was there at the table, her chestnut-colored hair short but her black obsidian eyes, sharp as she turned towards her as she remained dressed in sharp casual.

"How was your studies." She asked as a maid, Fujimaru-san, came in with a trey for their dinner. The fact that she didn't mention her tardiness or lack thereof was a good sign.

"Good. Was going over various military items and their chemical make ups." Momo replied as she took her seat at the table across from her mother.

"Name one." Mother replied as the maid began to deliver their appetizers. The Yaoyorozu Matriarch had her own small salad, while Momo had her family sized as Father stowed away his laptop and took his seat at the head of the table, with Mother to his right and Momo his left.

Momo began to rattle off the compounds, steel, tungsten,rubber all the way to the necessary chemicals needed to make napalm for a flamethrower as she paused to take some water.

"Good. A pity you didn't think of this a week before hand," She commented with closed eyes, eating from her salad slowly. Momo winced.

"I didn't think I would need to use a flamethrower during a Festival Mother." Yaoyorozu Maiya, Momo's mother, opened her eyes at her retort.

"And where did that unpreparedness get you. A lacking lasting impression in one of the most notable televised events in the country." Each word made the pony tailed girl's heart ache, like a needle being jabbed each time. "You showed great ability during that race and during the War when you helped others, but in a one on one fight you floundered like a fish out of water."

"Honey, to be fair her opponent finished Third." Father spoke as Momo took the time to eat from her salad. "Did you see how she fought against that Parker boy? She was the only one capable of giving him any noticeable challenge. You don't see Heroes complaining that they can't beat All Might, do you?"

"I'm aware, but that is still no excuse Shiki." Now Maiya turned her gaze towards Father, and while he didn't so much as wilt, he did become silent. "Do you think when our daughter is fighting villains she will get a second chance? If so, then that is one generous villain, or cruel depending on who you're asking."

"I am working hard to get better." Momo said, hoping to end this conversation as she sipped her water.

"You better during your internships." Maiya sneered. "Because if you cannot handle yourself in a solo fight, then how can you call yourself a hero. Even the famed Rescue Hero Thirteen, your teacher, can put fights down with ease."

"Thirteen has Black Holes in her index fingers." The teenage girl dapped her mouth with a napkin.

"And you can make anything so long as you put your mind to it," The matriarch's eyes were like steel as Momo frowned. "I'm not expecting you to be All Might, that's asking too much. But you should have done better."

"It was a bad match-" Shiki's defense was cut off when Maiya rounded on him, glaring daggers.

"I married into this family Shiki," She spoke slowly, glaring daggers as the man sighed, rubbing his forehead. Momo looked away. "You of all people should know how excuses almost ruined this family. The fact you're not understanding of that is astounding."

"But-"

"But nothing." Maiya hissed, before turning her attention towards her daughter. "How can you become a Hero people can rely on, when you, with Creation at your disposal, have to rely on others to make up for your shortcomings. You were exposed, and the masses will take notice in time, and will not seek the help from one who is vulnerable. Weak. Did I raise my child to become a great Hero worthy of praise from the masses and the popularity polls, or a piece of furniture intended to prop others up at the cost of herself." Momo bit her lip…

Yet couldn't find an answer. Unable to even answer such a query with her wide eyes. A pit forming in her stomach, both cursing her own weakness, and angry with her mother.

"Can we have a nice dinner please?" He sternly said. "Look, Momo." He reached over, and the teenage girl felt more at ease at his hand on her's. "We were so proud of what you did during the Sports Festival. You looked like out of an action movie during the Race, and during that War of the Flags… what was that mysterious compound you used? Was it some kind of chemical you've been developing?"

"Oh yes!" Momo beamed. "It was something I learned from my classmate."

"I was curious about that myself." Maiya mused as she sipped some tea. "You used it during the race, to stop that Bakugo boy."

"Well, it was a…" Momo paused, and realized how her father was looking with bated breath, and her mother with anticipation.

Yaoyorozu Shiki was her father and born into the family, knowing very well of the business practices and knew how to make relationships in the business world. Ironically, he was more laid back and relaxed.

Her mother, Maiya, used to be a former mercenary before she settled down with Shiki. After they got married they… had some issues. In terms of personality, the two were day and night. Nevertheless, they loved one another and has heard no complaints from them, or see them in any noticeable fights. As a team working together in the Yaoyorozu business, they were the best to making deals and wise investments. Shiki knew how talk to people, while Maiya was the enforcer and the intimidator.

But, both of them were cutthroat and would seek to gain any advantage whatsoever. Peter made that web fluid himself. She cannot just oust him and say the formula. It would create patent and legal problems down the road. Plus having help from another classmate would only infuriate Mother, given her 'furniture' comment.

Note to Momo: find a good patent attorney and set them up with her Deputy.

"A what?" Maiya asked, picking up on Momo's hesitance.

"A quick acting polymer that goes from liquid to solid when exposed to oxygen." Momo responded, sipping her tea. "So, you never told me how your trip to Dubai was." She leaned forward, smiling and happy to move on.

"Oh it was great! We got some good deals through and…" Shiki began to trail off, talking on business while Maiya remained silent, usually agreeing with what her husband said.

"But that's enough of business talk for now," Shiki said with a bashful smile, "Have you decided who you're going to internship with? You must've gotten some offers already."

"A few," Momo admitted, tapping her salad with her fork.

"Any that catch your eye?" Shiki asked, trying to continue the conversation.

In her seat, Maiya also glanced over, paying attention to the conversation once more.

"Again, a few, but there isn't any one hero that's given me an internship opportunity that fits all the criteria that I'm looking for. I still have to go through the emails."

"Never knew you to be a picky chooser," Her father mused aloud. "Must be a lot I reckon!" He beamed with a wide grin, turning towards the closed eyes of her mother, who nodded.

"She's evaluating her options," Maiya pointed out, "Good. It's a bit too early for you to have parsed through all of the prose and cons of every offer. Restraining yourself was the correct choice Momo." She sipped her tea as their main course for dinner arrived. "This is an important step, so take your time over your days off to mull on which hero to choose."

Momo blinked, it was rare for her mother to compliment almost anything that she did. She figured it would be common sense to go through everyone before choosing. Then again, the idea of interning underneath one of the top tens would draw some of her peers astray.

"Yes Mother."

"Well, I'm sure you'll find the right one, you're a smart girl," Shiki said, pushing his food away and going right back to work on his laptop.

He probably lost a stock or two just from the time that it took to eat dinner.

"Hnn." Maiya stood up after she had finished her small portion and walked around the table, and the teenage girl remained focused on her steak, not wanting to look up to her. She saw her father look up at her with a cross look on his face and she heard her mother sigh. Then she felt her mother's soft hands on her shoulders, and her lips to the top of her head.

"Love you too." Momo murmured back, and her chestnut haired mother departed from the dining room. Probably off to her study to herself. She sighed, relaxing back in her seat after several moments from hearing her mother walked out.

"I know," her father spoke from across the table as he worked on his business. "Your mother can be overbearing, and doesn't really emote her true feelings all the time, but trust me, but you know she means well." He looked up over his laptop, offering a supportive smile.

"I know…" Momo sighed. "Could she at least be, well, sympathetic? Not be so… mean?" She thought aloud, wanting to vent a little.

"Your mother before we married always destroyed things during her time at Blackwood PMC." Shiki stated. "I was always the one who built things. And after your siblings and all…" He paused, and Momo felt her heart ache a little.

Four siblings. All of them older, yet she never knew them, only knowing their names from their headstones in the backyard. She was their fifth child, and the only one alive at birth. There was a reason Mother was always so invested in Momo. It was also why Mother never had another child. She couldn't risk the heartbreak of losing another...

"I know… she wants to make ME count." Momo cut up her steak bites. "I just wonder if…"

"If what?" Her father asked, eyes never leaving his laptop and the heiress paused. She closed her eyes as she resumed eating.

"It's nothing."

She cannot ask for their advice on how to help her Deputy. Mother would probably rage at the thought of her thinking on a boy.

Still…

To support others is being called furniture? Is that what Mother calls helping others? That's the first defining aspect of heroism. The fact she could only see the Polls and approval of the masses...

Momo scoffed to herself, finishing her dinner and before embracing her father and kissing him on the head as she walked off to her room to go over emails.

(X)

Hollow.

Tenya didn't know what else to feel over the four day weekend other than an emptiness inside his chest. When he came home the night of seeing Tensei, he didn't get to sleep until way into the night.

Mother stayed with him for the whole day. Father had his hero work to do. Couldn't afford to combe by outside of the day off, leaving Tenya all alone in his home during that four day weekend.

He spent it running. Running as hard as he could. Anything to give him a distraction from the sight of his older brother.

Covered in bandages, tubes in his stomach, and shaved.

Muscles cut under the legs, numerous stab wounds, and a shuriken to the side of the head. The fact that Tensei is still alive was nothing short of a miracle. Nevertheless, his career as a hero, as the Hero Ingenium, was over. He could not come back with those injuries, restrained only to his house. If he can walk again, it would be a miracle.

As the rain poured down from outside the bus, he wondered if the Gods were weeping for him, as he felt like he had nothing left to cry for, not since he felt like he ran out of tears back in Hosu General Hospital.

He had gotten so many texts and responses in the Group Chat. Tenya… felt sick about it.

Everyone was now concerned. Worried. He had caused them trouble when they have enough to carry in their everyday lives. Many of them did well in the Sports Festival. They shouldn't concern themselves with his affair.

He felt the people beside him shuffle out, and Tenya adjusted his raincoat and departed the bus. It was the day of a thunderstorm, a humid summer rain as the deluge was pouring down.

And Tenya broke out into a run. Better to be early for class. He remembered the email Mr. Aizawa sent out the next day in regards to the schedule going into this week, mainly on them preparing for their internships.

As he ran, he prayed. Prayed for the chance for a Hero Firm in Hosu to offer him. He hasn't checked his emails yet, so he will when he gets in class.

After all, the Hero Killer hasn't struck since mutilating his brother.

The fact he was attacked all because Tensei was hunting a monster in human skin...

It made his blood boil.

Surely he is hiding in that vicinit-

Oh! It's Midoriya!

"Good morning Midoriya! No time for to dawdling! We'll be late!" Tenya spoke as he jogged past, trying to blur the image of his brother out of his mind.

"Oh! Smart decision with the poncho and rainboots!" The green haired boy spoke out as he followed him. "And we have five minutes before the first bell. We won't be late!"

"As students of U.A.," Tenya replied as they got into the building, right where their personal lockers were located. "We should arrive there ten minutes early!" He got to his own, and began to open it. "And Midoriya," Better to snip this in the bud. He turned around, and offered a small smile. "You don't need to worry about my brother. He is alive and doing fine. I apologize if he or I caused you any worry." He stated, and Tenya felt relieved. There. Now Midoriya wouldn't bother asking questions.

Although he is silent. Must have gotten the message. As expected from someone as sharp as him. As Tenya began to shed off his raincoat, he felt the emptiness return.

His desire to find the Hero Killer and avenge Tensei burned within him, and he walked off to class, ignoring any and all as his mind was a morass for focus on school, thinking of his brother, worry for his mother and father...

And the burning rage to bring justice for his family.

(X)

"Summer rains, can never predict them." Peter muttered as he stowed away his umbrella in his personal locker, he sighed and stretched his arms out. The four day weekend was a welcome break when he was getting adjusted to five-and-a-half days of school. Although, he had spent that time finding a local community center and signing up as a volunteer. Thankfully, the proprietor was willing to wait until after his internships were over before he began. If the syllabus was anything to go by, after the two week period of Internships will be a two week normal school period, with exams on the horizon. In other words, after internships, it was time to study for the students.

After signing up with the center, Peter got in touch with Mei and Power Loader as the three worked through the weekend inside the Studio. With Karen's help they should be able to have a functioning mask for the Mark 1 finished by the end of the week. One that can connect with Karen's core in his Suit. Once they get that handled, he will have a working functioning costume to use in the interim.

"So, you're all back in school now." Karen spoke in his ear in English, using his bluetooth earpiece.

"Yeah, got my internships coming up so I gotta focus on those. And after that, got exams to tackle."

"Going by your grades it seems Japanese and History are what you need to improve upon. You are currently competing for top placement in most other subjects."

Peter sighed.

"Okay Karen, I appreciate you giving me a rundown of my grades, but with you inside U.A.'s servers, just don't do anything too rash okay?" He asked as he began to walk to class.

"Power Loader has me in the system. Most of my runtime is hidden beneath the standard virus sweep. As far as the general student body and most of the faculty is concerned, I don't exist."

"Still.."

"I'll make sure to be more discreet from now on," Karen complied.

"That's all I can ask for," Peter said, closing his locker and cracking his shoulders.

Note to self, have a jacket as well as an umbrella on hand when things get sprinkling. Though, he didn't want to impose on Yu. She'd already gone a bit over budget with the amount of take out that she'd been ordering. Then again, being a pro didn't exactly leave that much time to go grocery shopping.

"Hey Karen, can you remind me to get groceries when I get back?"

"I'm not Siri Peter. But since you asked nicely, how does five minutes after the bell sound?"

Peter snorted, he'd missed Karen's little quips.

"Peter!"

The american turned around, and allowed an easy smile to come to him. Pony bounded up, her hoof like feet clopping against the ground. She looked a lot better than when Peter last saw her. Recovery Girl was a miracle worker, if he hadn't seen it, he wouldn't have known that Pony was hurt to begin with.

Peter did his best to bury the unpleasant thoughts that came with that particular memory, waving his fellow american down.

"Heya Pony, looking good."

"Thanks," the Texan replied in english.

She started to say something, only to pause as she noticed something in Peter's ear.

"Oh are you on call with someone? I can leave-"

"You're fine Pony," Peter says, giving his friend a light chuckle, "It's just a project that I've been working on."

His smile fades the second the words come out of his mouth. He coughs into his hand, rearranging his backpack as he did so.

"It's ah, why I didn't really keep in touch. Sorry about that. Lost the weekend when we should have hung out."

"Don't worry about it," Pony said easily, making Peter's shoulder's feel a million times lighter, "After the festival I was pretty busy too."

"Really?" Peter asked.

"Yeah, been busy lookin' over my internships with my mom and dad over VidCall. I can tell you about it at lunch?" she asked, hopefully.

Peter grimaced, "Sorry, I've got a project that I need to work on." The Mask takes priority what with internships down the line.

"Then how about after school?" Pony asked quickly, her blue eyes hopeful. "It doesn't have to be long, it'll just take a… few minutes at least. Just talkin' on..." She paused, smiling as her cheeks turned pink. "Things."

Peter looked over his friend, noting how she was busy looking out at the rainy windows than in front of her. The two of them were getting close to his homeroom door, but Peter was busy trying to figure out what this was? He was sure Pony wanted to just catch up, but this was going about it pretty weirdly. Not like they weren't used to talking to one another.

So what's going-

"Peter," Karen said from his earpiece, "You're supposed to say sure. Your schedule is free after all."

Peter shook his head, "Oh, ah, sure."

"Great!" Pony cheered, "See you there!" she said, literally skipping ahead towards the stairs to her class.

Peter stopped, blinking at the sight in front of him. What the actual heck did he just see?

"See something that's distracting you Parker?" Said a heavily thick accented English voice.

"GAAH!" Peter jumped, just now noticing that Aizawa was on the floor in his sleeping bag, his head just poking out of the hallway corner.

The drowsy teacher lumbers to his feet, or at least, a position where he could unzip his sleeping bag without falling over himself. When he stepped out, he seemed to be back to the drowsy homeroom teacher that tested Peter the first official day at school. Without the bandages, the only thing that really looked different about him was the scars along the edges of his eyes. They looked like they hurt, but they didn't stop Aizawa from brandishing a stack of papers with a sticky note on it that made Peter's heart sink. The top was blank, but he had a pretty good guess what the writing on the post it note was. His recommended choices for internships.

"Got confirmation. These are all the heroes that we recommend you consider," Aizawa said in Japanese without a hint of enthusiasm, "We finished the list this morning."

Explained why the bags under the professors eyes looked even more pronounced than usual.

And that was saying a lot.

Peter took the stack, curiosity forcing him to look through the sheet, and then at the name. The names were recognizable from the emails he looked through.

"Thanks," Peter muttered as he grabbed the sheet.

"Don't thank me yet," Aizawa said, "It's your turn to start working. The heroes we picked are not informed of your… predicament and should you accept, I trust you can keep your mouth shut about it."

Peter sighed, that was about as much as he could hope for. "I guess I'll be in trouble if I pick another hero wouldn't I?"

"Don't be stupid, you brought this on yourself." Peter winced as he sighed hard through his nose. "I'd save the sighing until after you've started. Take it from me, internships don't exactly treat you with kid gloves."

"Yeah," Peter said, putting the stack of papers in his bag, "I can only imagine what your internships must've been like."

"Not as exciting as you might think," Aizawa said quickly, as if to crush the very idea. "It was mostly stealth work and training. And hand to hand combat. He was pretty good with that."

"Anyone I know?"

"No, he retired years ago," Aizawa said, picking up his sleeping bag, "Chances are that our internship stories will be different in every way. Different eras, different quirks."

"And here I was hoping to follow in your footsteps," Peter said, jokingly.

Aizawa's eyebrow actually twitched. "Regardless, this internship is just as much of a chance for them as it is for you. They're taking on a big risk teaching you, so I expect that you live up to that little nickname that Kirishima's thrown on you."

Peter winced, not that he didn't mind Eijirou, but the nickname was starting to get out of hand.

"So if you're serious about making it up to everyone," Aizawa said, "I highly recommend this one," he says, tapping the sticky note. "Principal Nezu pulled some strings to get that hero to send you an offer."

Peter looked over at the name. Looks a bit familiar… "How did you and the Principal manage that?" he asked.

"He might not look it, but Nezu is the smartest creature on the planet," Aizawa said as he scratched his eyelid a little.

Peter gawked at the man. That was a big claim no matter who you were talking about. Even back home, Mr. Stark couldn't say something like that. Not with people like Doctor Banner on his own team.

"Really?"

"Believe it or not, he's doing his best to help guide you towards being a better hero, so don't look at this as discipline, and more as a rare opportunity. Guidance in a sense." the sleepy teachers eyes narrowed, "And you wouldn't want to make his efforts go to waste, would you?"

Peter felt a tingle rocket down his spine as he shook his head. So take on the hero on the sticky note. Got it.

"Good, now get to class," Aizawa said, jerking a finger down the hall. "I'll be down in a few minutes."

Peter nodded, looking at the sheet of paper and the sticky note beside it with the hero All Might and Principal Nezu were recommending for him. He took the sticky note, looked over the name, and then crumbled it and put it into his pocket before folding up his sheet and pocketing it as well.

The homeroom teacher shared one last look at the American before walking down the hallway, leaving Peter to push open the door alone.

As usual, the class was alight with conversations galore as Peter walked in, and he felt all eyes on him.

"Hey Ace! Have a good weekend?" Eijirou waved as the brown haired boy nodded with a smile.

"Yeah. It was… productive." Peter toned as he looked down at his smartwatch. If he cannot use his bluetooth earbuds in class, he can use this to see whatever Karen is texting to him. "Got a lot of things done."

"Oh! Whatcha get done?" Mina asked as she craned over her shoulder. "Can't imagine what you could get done Mr. Celebrity~" She teased.

"Quite a bit, you'd be surprised." Peter laughed as he patted his pocket affectionately where his phone was. "How about you guys?"

"Well after watching the Second Year Festival I went back to using the Battle Centers for training. After our fight in the War I know I have to get stronger!" Eijirou said as he gripped his fist. "The way you fought Shiozaki and Bakugo was the stuff of manly legends!"

"Got that right." Ojiro chimed in. "With how you left during the Reward Ceremony and didn't attend the Second Year Festival the day after you must have been busy dealing with the press and the perks of being champ huh?"

Yeah… Bakugo fight… Peter rubbed the back of his head, remembering the events of the twenty four hours from the Sports Festival sounding bell all the way to bringing Karen back… Talk about a roller coaster. "Yeah, sorry for not catching up with you all after. I had commitments and goals I had to make."

"It's fine, don't sweat it Parker!" Mina waved. "I got to go down to Okinawa for a day! Haaaa… the beaches down there are so clear compared to here… I can't wait for summer break when I can go down there longer~" The pink pinkette dreamed as her dark and gold eyes looked far off.

"Better enjoy it while you can. Hero work doesn't offer much in vacation time." Shoji stated behind her from one of his mouths.

"Not rest for the righteous." Tokoyami added in a brooding manner.

"Did you go out at all? Can't imagine you getting more then twenty feet before you get hounded by journalists and fans!" Sero inquired as he stood up, walking over.

"Yeah, you were the talk of social media everywhere man!" Sato stated with a wave. "But don't let that get to your head!" He flexed his arm as he pointed at Peter, offering a competitive grin. "Next time we face off, I'm going for the win!"

"Heh, alrighty! If you wanna spar down the road I'm game!" Peter beamed as he got to his line and paused. "As for going out… Well I got around, a little." It was the truth. He did go back to U.A. and the community center. Otherwise he was spending time working on the mask with Mei and Power Loader. He began to walk over to his aisle as he laughed a little before he stopped.

Bakugo was there, sitting and facing forward, head rested on a closed fist. Peter saw his red eyes move to him, before going forward, as if he was looking in a faraway place. It looked like he had bags under his eyes too.

Peter walked past, not giving him a second glance or thought as he settled on the green haired boy sitting behind him. "Heya Midori." He waved. Izuku was facing forward, his face in thought as he turned up towards him.

"M-Morning Parker-san. I hope you had a good weekend and all!" He said as smiled, though it seemed subdued.

"It was alright. Pretty sure you overheard me and the guys." He took his seat behind Izuku and...

"Good morning Peter-san." Momo stated from behind as she set down her encyclopedia.

"Morning Momo-san." Peter nodded as he craned his head behind her. "Morning Todoroki." He waved lightly, and the dual haired boy had a neutral face as he blinked, and nodded his head.

"Good morning." He replied. Short, but none of the coldness from before. Peter smiled before he turned, looking across the room. Iida was at his desk and faced forward, silent as his hands were clasped together and Peter bit his lip.

His brother was attacked by the Hero Killer...

Maybe he should talk to him. Offer an ear-

The door opened and everyone was in their seats as Mr. Aizawa walked in. "Morning class." He droned, dressed in his dark outfit, minus the bandages.

"Good morning." The class responded as a whole in kind.

"I'm happy to see you with no bandages sensei." Asui said. The shaggy haired teacher scratched his eyes lightly.

"Recovery Girl's treatment was excessive, but it got the job done, got some decent sleep for once in a while too." He responded as he faced the class. "Today in the Syllabus is Hero Informatics Class, and a very important one at that too."

Very important? Peter knew today was the day of selecting their internship choices, given the folded piece of paper in his pocket. It had to be that right? The rest of the class waited in baited breath, as if taking a deep breath before the plunge.

"We're going to make our Hero Alias today." The moment he finished that, he winced as most of the entire class cheered.

"We get to have Superhero Names!" The class cheered as a whole as Peter winced at the sound in conjunction with his teacher.

"Quiet down," Aizawa grumbled as he stretched his arm. "Now, as I said three days ago you all had emails sent to your school email that have the offers from various Pro Hero Firms wanting you to come to their agency for two weeks starting next week. These invitations are based on what the Pros think who has the best chance to hit the ground running when they graduate, so their recruiting offers are a way to show their level of interest in you." He took a deep breath as the rest of the class has calmed down from their initial joy at a crucial moment in their hero careers. "However, these offers have a shelf life. The timespan? Their interest in you. Over the next three years, depending on your performance both here in U.A., the next two Sports Festivals, and future internships, the Hero Agencies can rescind their offers to find more promising prospects. It happens more often than you think."

"Damn, so we gotta get better or at the very least keep up to par." Sero muttered under his breath.

"If you remain at the same level as a freshman by the time you're a senior, then you stagnate. Even then I can see agencies taking away our offers for younger and shinier future hero students." Ojiro replied solemnly. "It's one or the other really."

"So in truth, if we have offers now, then we have to get better as heroes in training. No other option!" Hagakure stated as Aizawa nodded.

"Correct, now then." He got out a tablet and tapped a little as the chalkboard behind him displayed a digital screen underneath it. "Here are the various offers we have counted from your emails, so some of you may already know this if you check your inboxes."

Peter bit his lip as he felt eyes set upon him as gasps and various "Whoaaa's" rang out.

Peter Parker: 3,625

Todoroki Shoto: 2,214

Midoriya Izuku: 773

Yaoyorozu Momo: 512

Iida Tenya: 450

Bakugo Katsuki: 421

Tokoyami Fumikage: 395

Asui Tsuyu: 141

Kirishima Eijirou: 103

Rikido Sato: 93

Ojiro Mashirao: 52

Shoji Mezo: 39

Uraraka Ochako: 20

Ashido Mina: 15

Hanta Sero: 12