"I won't be seeing you for the next few years..."

Still seconds passed, before you only hummed in acknowledgement to All Might's declaration, understanding of his circumstance. The silence was quick to encompass the peaceful atmosphere shared only to the two of you afterwards—the spirits long forgotten, even as they still gawk at the state of the number one hero whenever he appears.

A week has already passed, and the Symbol of Peace arrived within his usual time and day to visit you, however...

"It's alright. You keep growing weaker and it's getting faster," You sympathized; your monotonous tone not justifying your hidden concern.

His state was getting worse; he gets thinner within each visit. You're afraid that one day, you'll see a skeleton in his place.

Honestly, you saw this coming. His condition wasn't getting any better; that much you could tell and admit. All Might needs to be hospitalized, and you're not talking only about a few days. If he wants to live longer, he should follow through his doctor's demands.

But he's a good hero; that's why he's not good to himself.

To think that it was him who often reminds you to take care of yourself, instead of the other way around.

The only reason why he now submits to his needed hospitalization was because he wants to live long enough to take down his nemesis.

The man who started everything.

"I'll be receiving treatment abroad; specifically, in America. You won't hear from me for a long time, but for now, I want to give you this."

The blonde hero then handed you a medium-sized cardboard box—nothing labelled outside to indicate its contents.

"Preferably, I would have given you a phone, but we can't risk having our calls recorded or your location being possibly tracked." He explained himself, as you gingerly accepted his very much appreciated gift.

"What's this?" You examined the light object, gently shaking it to somehow give you a hint of what's inside—sounded like papers, you thought.

"It's a parting gift," He simply answered, but the look you gave him afterwards showed that you were pertaining to the box's contents; not what it's meant to be. The hero cleared his throat, before expounding—his tone serious. "Articles and information, connected to you, collected from All For One's former base. They were found two years after... the incident. I managed to sneak them out before the police investigation. I think you might be interested in them."

He sounded so grim.

His voice was constricted, yet fluent.

As if the whole spiel was practiced.

You didn't question how he managed to escape with such evidence from the authorities nor how he found the base beforehand, you only remained focused on his words' contents; your eyes widening at the revelation. Almost instantly, your hands tore the box open from its clean taping.

And indeed, All Might was (partially) true to his words.

Cut out articles of different people—majority were women, you realized, as you dug in further; from little girls to old ladies; only a few mentions of men. The dates were interesting, with the oldest article reaching to the year when quirks were first discovered, and the latest being twenty-seven years ago. Each article was insignificant, as if only found in tabloids, and they're not even the main stories— perhaps they're just there to occupy space within the newspaper. Nevertheless, they were highly regarded, as they're all collected here in this box.

By All For One.

After skimming through most of the aged prints, they all have a common denominator; a topic that's been consistent.

'21-year-old woman able to use telekinesis despite being diagnosed quirkless.'

'Hallucinating yet healthy?'

'Quirkless girl claims to see ghosts.'

While they all seemed different out of context, the moment you compared your childhood to them, you just knew they were all connected. Once upon a time, they were just like you, but... with different circumstances. Different stories. Different outcomes.

But then, you had second thoughts when you found articles like:

'Man with immortality quirk found dead.'

'Invincible man assassinated!'

'Ageless woman died of age? Cause unknown or quirk drawback?'

You were clueless as to what these articles have something to do with the former ones. What did people who have quirks that can prolong their lives have something to do with diagnosed quirkless people who then had their quirks bloom late?

You were certain that Japan's detectives may be able to piece the whole puzzle if these were given to them.

"... Why didn't you surrender these to the authorities years ago?" You questioned, your curiosity masked by your usual indifferent tone.

"Because then they would only be more determined to find you. They would be hunting you down not as a civilian, but as an S-Class criminal if they think you're affiliated in any way with All For One. Especially with your disappearance." Right.

Your history was far too similar with the people's in the articles. In fact, you can definitely say you're all connected even if you're not related with any of the people in the provided pictures—most were from foreign countries. You just don't know why that is and why All For One was so invested with it.

With them.

With you.

Quirkless. Ghosts. Telekinesis. And yet, there were mentions of immortality, invincibility, and agelessness.

You were somewhat connected to all six of those words, as if you were the middle of the jigsaw.

But what makes you so special to be the one to connect them all?

You can only make guesses at this point, as you have no assets to make your own investigation. In the end, the articles were useless, as these clues only spurred more questions.

However, you didn't overlook All Might's efforts.

"This... would've been crucial to the case. It would've helped immensely, and yet, you chose me over them. You chose one person over the rest of Japan." You commented, appreciation evident within your seemingly hollow eyes and subtle smile.

"Hey now, don't word it like that," The Symbol of Peace was quick to shoot down such a concept, his hand already finding its way to scratch the back of his neck, accompanied by an awkward yet genuine smile. "Nothing is really on the line here. What happened with you already happened, and you only wish to find answers to your circumstance."

"And yet it took you years before you finally decided to give them to me." You quipped rather playfully—your voice containing life even for a split moment, as your smile became more visible.

"Ah—well—" You honestly got him there, as he has no response for your last statement. You only looked at him, amused—not a trace of suspicion. The number one hero then recovered from his loss of words, dampening the mood with a request that suffocated you with bubbling guilt. "But in any case, if... if one day this information becomes crucial to Japan's safety... Please do consider helping them."

"... No promises." Was your only answer; eyes down-cast to avoid looking at his cerulean ones.

"Hm, I expected that," You were rather relieved that he didn't get his hopes up, which ended up for your answer to not disappoint him, but the uncomfortable weight in the pit of your stomach did not cease. "You want to keep your name clean; not to be identified as The Cyclone, I understand that, but please, do what you think is right if the time calls for it." It felt like he was begging.

Most would think that it was unbecoming of him as the number one hero.

But since this is All Might, he'd resolve to anything as long as it's for Japan's safety.

Anything.

You didn't reply after that—the silence being his wordless confirmation that you were contemplating about it, however, you don't plan on voicing out your conclusion.

"Have you considered being an underground hero?" The sudden change of topic caught you off-guard—even more so for the topic, itself.

You? A hero?

"Why?" You asked, unsure of where this conversation was going.

"Didn't you want to be a hero?" The question for confirmation elicited an indistinct reaction from you; triggering emotions—the feeling of nostalgia, longing, and the familiar sense of melancholy that never left your heart.

"How do you know that?"

"Aizawa-san told me." Ah, of course he did. Your funeral was held last week, which of no doubt fated a conversation between them.

And like you, the Symbol of Peace was never appreciative of deception, even if the situation calls for it.

"I'm sorry you have to lie to him for my sake." All Might ignored your mumbled apology, as he was against your decision of lying. Accepting your apology would give you the impression that he agrees that it was the right thing to do. However, with your circumstance, he had to make an exception.

While this wasn't right, it was for the best. Even if it was tearing him from the inside.

A hero shouldn't lie—even more so to a fellow hero.

But you're in need of a friend you could trust.

Besides...

He shouldn't be a hypocrite.

"So, what's your answer on being a hero?" The blonde insisted. For a split second, you've already decided to answer 'yes'; to accept the given opportunity to do what you've always dreamed to do, even if your actions would not be credited back to you—hidden away from the press and the public. It was your chance and the number one hero could make it happen.

But then...

You frowned, as a realization came into light.

"... I'm sorry. I can't," The blonde hero seemed to be surprised by your declination, and is probably wondering why, which you promptly provided an explanation for. "I can't use my powers against humans. I'm not adept at controlling it. I might... hurt someone too badly."

"I see..." Pondering about your answer, the blonde hero knew what you were afraid of. You don't need another episode of your powers exploding.

Noticing your sullen look, he just knew you were mentally berating yourself—he was all-too familiar with the experience of self-degradation.

You were disappointed with yourself—with your incompetence, even though you're finally gifted with a power you lacked a long time ago.

Fear was holding you back.

Fear of another genocide.

It was an accident; you didn't mean it; you were a victim too—All Might has told you many times.

But you never did hear what you longed for him to say...

"Don't fret over it, Seishin. The fact that you even care for the criminals' well-being proves that you have a righteous heart. You're still a hero candidate whether you accept or not." Hearing your name leave All Might's mouth without the honorifics warmed your insides, as he was getting more casual with you; his comforting words only making it warmer.

You're really glad to have him as a friend.

Mood now lightened, you remarked with amusement.

"Who knows? Maybe in another life, I get to be a hero," For some reason, this elicited some form of excitement from the Symbol of Peace, as he treated your remark rather seriously than humorously.

He seemed so convinced that this was your promise—that you would live again.

A different life.

That's a nice thought to have.

His optimism really knows no bounds, and it got you imagining of what it would be like if you had any kind of quirk at the normal developmental age of four years old. Maybe your life could've ended differently. More satisfying. Happier.

"I'll look forward to that future, then! I'll be sure that once I'm reincarnated too, I'd want to meet you again!" You only looked at him fondly, as he continued to boisterously ramble about how you both should throw a small party before his departure and a celebration for your hero dream. A small feast was in order, he insisted.

"For the last time, Yagi, I don't need to consume food or drinks," You reminded playfully; a smile now in full display on your face—only brightening the blonde hero's mood further.

"Then I should buy you more clothes for your rare occasions of leaving this place—both for your teenage and adult forms!"

Sometimes, you're just glad that after everything you've done, you get to have this one good thing left in your life.

Maybe in another time and place, you, Aizawa and Yagi can be the best of unlikely friends.

Your smile remained on your face, as All Might continued to talk while you daydream of what your life could've been.

This is the closest you've been to being happy since The Cyclone.

~*~*~

A second update is coming soon, I'm just editing it. Expect another update.