Chapter 71

Returning to Japan was like stepping back into a life I no longer recognized. The wave of reporters and classmates eager to know where I'd been was overwhelming. I gave a vague story about helping a family member in America, a lie that felt heavy on my tongue.

First, I had to get Akira settled. I'd splurged on a luxury apartment in Musutafu. It was excessive, I knew, but I wanted Akira to have a safe, comfortable space. Eight rooms, four bathrooms, a master suite, a pool, a hot tub, skylights… it was ridiculous, but it was ours. I had arranged for the apartment to be furnished minimally, but enough to live comfortably. I wasn't ready to face my family yet, so this would be our haven. I enrolled her in U.A. High School, the same school I and Izuku attended, with her starting as a freshman, class 1-B for now. I'd pull some strings to get her accepted into the class I am currently next year, as class 2-A, if her entrance exams went well.

Her first day back was insane along with mine. Many people came up asking where i have been and I gave the same lie from earlier. I dropped akira to her class, and went to one of the big tree's outside and sat there before my class start. I didn't have a first period this morning so i decided to relax. Katsume sat next to me

"where have you been" he asked softly.

"Helped out a rel-" i started.

"Don't give me that bullshit." he snapped

I sighed there was nothing getting passed him

"I went to peter house for a while..." I sighed.

"In America?" he asked.

"Mhm" I nodded and leaned on his shoulder.

"Ok...everything ok with you know?.." he asked.

"Yea just...depression and anxiety maybe..." I groaned. his eyes met mine

"What...when..." he whispered.

" A week ago..." I mumbled.

He hugged me and we talked for a while we ended up skipping second period. akira found me at lunch.

"Brother! I got you ice-cream!" she cheered.

I smiled "Thanks kira.." I gave her a nickname.

Katsume cocked a brow. I chuckled taking the ice-cream and letting Akira sit with us

"I will explain later kats." I grinned.

He nodded and we sat and talked turns out akira loves math like katsume so they talked about that while i zoned out. I heard shouting and followed it it was izuku and monoma they were arguing. I see katsuki on the ground with bruises and a broken nose maybe and I see a class 1 b guy on the ground as well with explosion marks and maybe bruises.

I see everyone staring some frighten and some cheering the fight. what the hell happened. I stormed over and stepped between the two. Izuku looked shocked due to not seeing me in weeks and monoma looked annoyed

"what the hell happened!?" I growled.

Monoma spoke first "that bastard from class 1 a picked a fight with Teru!" he yelled.

"That isn't true! Teru provoked Kacchan!" Izuku stepped in. "Enough!" I yelled.

Diamond ran over "Holy shit sorry we are late, the meeting ran to long what happ- anos... your back?.." Diamond was in shock she also hasn't seen me in weeks no one has.. "Yea came back yesterday..." i mumbled. a while after dismissing the incident and Teru was suspended for starting a fight and provoking.

I took akira back with me. I told Izuku I wanted to be alone for a while and he understood. So he stayed at the dorms while I left. I told my friends where I was staying and Diamond and Katsume came over for the night to catch up. I told them everything where I was lately and my mental health state. They said they would help me get back and I trust them too....I told them akira would be with me and she looks up to me as a brother and they accepted her...I have money but....I know I'm a need a job....I decided to call hawks while Katsume and diamond talk to akira .

My phone rang. It was Hawks.

"Hey, Anos," Hawks' voice was casual, but I detected a note of concern. "Welcome back. Heard you were… indisposed for a while."

"Yeah, well, I'm back. Look, I was wondering if there might be some part-time work with the Commission. You know, taking on some tasks, doing some good." It felt good to say that.

Hawks was silent for a moment. Then, a sigh. "Anos, I… I can't do that. You know my history with the Commission. I wouldn't want to drag you into that world, especially not now. It's messy, Anos, and you deserve better."

I swallowed my disappointment. I should have known better than to ask. "Okay, I understand."

"Look," Hawks continued, "If you need anything, anything, don't hesitate to call. But the Commission… it's not a place for you."

The call ended, leaving me feeling adrift again. I needed a purpose, a way to use my powers, but the legitimate channels seemed closed off. An idea sparked, a dark, dangerous idea.

Next, I dialed a number only a select few knew. The phone rang twice before a gruff voice answered. "Shira Aizawa."

"Shira-san, it's Anos. Remember me?"

There was a pause. "The Superman kid. Yeah, I remember. What do you want?"

Shira Aizawa was Shouta Aizawa's older sister, a woman who had chosen a path far from the public eye. She ran a school for underground vigilantes, training young people to fight crime outside the established hero system.

"I'm looking for work," I said, cutting to the chase. "I need something… meaningful. Something that uses my skills."

Shira chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "You looking to play hero in the shadows, kid? It's not glamorous, you know. It's dangerous, dirty work. We're talking villains the heroes can't, or won't, touch."

"I understand the risks," I said, my voice firm.

"You're only seventeen, aren't you?" she asked.

"That's not a problem. I can handle myself."

"Alright," she said after a moment. "Come by tomorrow night. We'll see if you've got what it takes. The pay is good, but the hours are hell and we start work at sixteen. Be warned, kid, once you're in, there's no turning back."

"I'll be there," I said, a grim determination settling over me. A dangerous path, sure, and one that could get me in trouble with the law. But it was also a path that offered purpose, a chance to use my powers to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. And right now, that was all that mattered.

Turning back, I saw Katsume and Diamond looking at me with concern etched on their faces. I forced a smile. "Everything okay?" Diamond asked, her voice laced with worry. "You look…"

"Determined," Katsume finished, a strange light in his eyes. "Too determined. What's going on, Anos?"

I sighed, knowing I couldn't keep it from them. "I got turned down by Hawks. I need a job, something to do. So, I'm taking a job as a vigilante."