Aizawa's POV

I groaned as I sat up on the bed in the infirmary. My stomach no longer hurt, thanks to Recovery Girl and her kisses. It drained my energy out, causing me to sleep in and miss the homeroom. I'm too tired for this shit. I placed my hand on the spot where the bullet hit and felt no pain- probably healed completely. I can't believe I've slept for 8 hours straight. This is the longest I've ever slept after being diagnosed with Insomnia and it's probably because of the medication. Nevertheless, I feel way better now.

My mind seems fuzzy- sleep and medication- and I had to concentrate a lot to recollect what happened. Yeah… Karma happened. Ever since I was assigned to his case, I've been chasing him relentlessly but he always manages to escape me. No one and I mean NO ONE could ever escape my clutches but this vigilante did. At first it was annoying to have my perfect record disrupted but soon, I started loving the challenge only to get tired of it later. I'm not a spring chicken, though I'm just 35. Almost 16 years as an underground hero, unknown to most, I was like a shadow looking out for crime, not letting a single word about me escape. Then this cocky guy showed up and called me 'Aizawa-san' in our first meeting! It was shocking to say the least but as if that wasn't creepy enough, he proceeded to recite the details about my quirk like it was a pre-written essay.

Several months of chasing after him led to the formation of mutual respect. He and I have often sat on the same roof doing nothing, just enjoying the comfort of each other's company while keeping an eye out for crime. I have to admit that he is amazing for a non-hero. He could easily do what trained heroes fail to and his primary instincts are to save people, not apprehend the assaulters at any cost. He and I share the same hatred for Endeavour because he was a stain on the name of heroes but for some reason, he seems to hate the man more. Maybe he has information about the No.2 that none had access to, which is highly possible since he knew about an underground hero like me. I try my luck at capturing him sometimes and to be honest, we haven't had casual talks often, just related to our professions.

As a pro hero who has sworn to stop all kinds of crime and save people, I should hate Karma because Vigilantism is a crime in the eyes of law. But that does not change the fact that he is doing a better job at stopping crimes than any hero. What's better? I've never seen him use his quirk in fights! As a person who mostly depends on hand to hand combat due to the limitations of my quirk, I have to commend his skills. At first, I thought his quirk was related to agility or something like that. He is smooth, agile and a beast in strategy. That actually led me to assume that his quirk is not a physical one, rather, it must be similar to that of Nezu- analysis, maybe?- Since fighting skills can be learnt in general and not necessarily through a quirk. From his intelligence and skills, it was possible and so I believed it to be so. That was until yesterday and now I am utterly baffled.

For the first time since I met him, Karma used his quirk and not for battle but to make sure I was safe till he returned. I've almost never gotten hurt in fights but there are some days when even I couldn't avoid them. A day ago, I was stabbed while I tried to stop a robbery on my way back after patrolling and yesterday, got shot on the wound that didn't heal completely. I've never felt such pain before although the nomu literally squashing me like a bug doesn't count because it was designed to kill All Might. What surprised me was Karma returning with the right supplies and carrying out the right procedure, like he was used to such things! Vigilante or not, he seems to throw his life on line to save people, a quality I respect.

Now I'm beyond impressed. His quirk is- what I assume- creating barriers. That means… ALL THE INTELLIGENCE AND SKILL WAS NATURAL!!! How can one human possibly possess such talent!? His IQ should be extremely high for him to be so good at analysing and strategizing! And if it's natural skill and he's almost as good as Nezu and NEZU'S FRICKING QUIRK IS HIGH SPECS! I must have a chat with that Rat-Satan, maybe he can help me crack something, at least a clue. Karma is now more intriguing than ever and he has my highest respect. I wish I could meet him out of the costume. It's obvious that he's using a voice modulator which makes it hard for me to guess his age. There were no records to give us leads to his real identity- he thought about everything. From his voice, my initial estimation was about him being a man in his late 20s or early 30s but after realising, it's more confusing. No matter what, I have to get to the bottom of it. I want, no, need to know who he is.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the old woman yelling at someone. Pity that person. I realised that they were heading towards the office and prepared myself for getting an earful.

Chiyo (Recovery Girl): - keep pestering my patients for your documentation and other useless stuff! Can't you let him res-

???(In a frightened tone): But Ma'am! It's a mandatory legal procedure!! I can't just leave hi-

Chiyo: I SAID YOU SHOULD VISIT LATER!!

The door opened and a head popped in, probably looking for me. Ah, Tsukauchi! Just the man I was waiting fo- (Phat!)- ouch.

Chiyo hit him with her cane.

Tsukauchi: Oww! What was that for!?

Chiyo: Oh shut up! Don't disturb his rest! That man barely sleeps.

Aizawa (sighing): I'm awake, Chiyo.

She turned to me and gave me a sweet smile… too sweet for my own liking. From the corner of my eye, I could see Tsukauchi shuddering. Help. And that's how I managed to get hit twice while getting an earful from the petite old woman. Even poor Tsukauchi had to endure the torture and he looks like he's done with life. After Chiyo left the room, grumbling about being surrounded by idiots, Tsukauchi sighed and pulled a chair to my bedside.

Tsukauchi: That woman is hella scary

Aizawa: Sure is.

Tsukauchi (Sighing): How are you feeling?

Aizawa: I missed homeroom

Chiyo (just entered the room): Cementoss substituted for you. Now get this interrogation done quickly and rest (and… she exits)

Tsukauchi: So, you know the procedure.

Aizawa: Before that, I need to tell you something.

He looked at me with a small frown. I straightened myself and sighed: Do you know what Karma's quirk is?

Tsukauchi (frowning): Not really. I've heard a few witnesses say it's something like speed or agility but they were just guesses. As far as I know, he's never used his quirk so I'm assuming it's not a physical one.

I nodded and rubbed my face with my hand before dropping the discovery: It's barriers.

Tsukauchi: huh?

I dropped my hand into my lap and looked at the wall to continue speaking.

Aizawa: Last night, when I was shot, he used some sort of barrier to keep me safe till he returned with first aid.

Tsukauchi pulled out his notepad and started scribbling something. I know Karma's quirk would be a good clue to his identity but something doesn't add up.

Aizawa: He held his hands out and some purplish sparks appeared before it turned into a barrier. Then when he was back, he touched the barrier and it disappeared.

Tsukauchi (thinking out loud): Barriers, huh? Maybe I should scour the databases.

I sighed and slumped back

Aizawa:  I got trampled by someone who didn't even use his quirk.. a quirkless person beat me at my own game.

I could hear Tsukauchi holding his giggles in. It's NOT funny! But it is… what a weird twist in my dull life.

Aizawa: But one thing's still confusing and scary. Have you seen his talent and skills? He's like an all rounder. And his intelligence? That's really freaky. Right now, I'm not even sure 'what' we are dealing with.

Tsukauchi (After a moment of thought): So… Rat Satan?

Aizawa (sighing for the umpteenth time): Rat Satan.

Tsukauchi: He's gonna love this challenge. Would you do the honors because I'll be honest with you, he's scary. And I've seen gory scenes in my life.

It's not like I even had a choice to begin with because the thought crossed my mind earlier than it occurred to Tsukauchi. I nodded. He then pulled out the recorder and frowned suddenly.

Tsukauchi: Why did you tell this before the recording?

I tensed a little because I wasn't exactly sure why. Maybe I didn't want this to be declared official yet because… because… I have no idea.

Aizawa: It's not a confirmation. Besides, I don't know why but i don't want the hero commission to get involved (because they'll hunt him down and put him in Tartarus but I have no idea why I care all of a sudden. He's a Vigilante… a Vigilante who I've grown fond of)

Tsukauchi nodded and started recording my words. It was basically me answering simple questions which did not involve revealing Karma's quirk.

Tsukauchi (putting the recorder back): My job here is done. Make sure you contact me after you make a deal with the devil.

Aizawa: I'm basically selling my soul here.

Tsukauchi (chuckling): You signed up for it. Anyway, I'll try to run down the list of people with such quirks. Although knowing Karma, he probably has removed all evidence of his identity.

Aizawa (rolling his eyes): Worth a shot.

After Tsukauchi left, I tried getting up from the bed but Chiyo appeared seemingly out of thin air to smack me with her cane again.

Chiyo: Where do you think you're going?

Aizawa: Chiyo, I missed all the classes today. I have to get the updates.

Chiyo (with narrowed eyes): I've asked Cementoss to brief you about it. I don't think the other years matter to you as much as the first years.

Now it was my turn to narrow my eyes at her. Of course it's not like she's wrong. I pay extra attention to the first years every year so that I can lay a better foundation for them in the early stages. The later years are managed by the others of course but my focus is mainly on the kids. As on cue, Cementoss entered the infirmary with a folder in his hands. Right, the assignments. Chiyo glared at the poor guy, probably warning him about something, and left the room.

Cementoss: I'll be honest with you, your class is demonic.

That wasn't untrue.

Cementoss: The class reps seem to be the only sane people in there. The blonde kid keeps yelling and exploding, the grape boy keeps creeping, electricity goes ~weee~, animals everywhere and what not.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his description, especially the ~weee~ part about Kaminari. It's true that only I can control these kids. Even Bakugou listens to no one but me so I guess that's something. The class is basically a circus of varying personalities, each planets apart.

Cementoss: Here, the Class Reps reminded everyone that you gave them assignments and submitted them. The class went into chaos and so I had to endure 20 minutes of banter before I made a wall to stop them. Only 14 students submitted their assignments.

I took the folder and skimmed through the papers. The students I expected to submit, did.

Aizawa: Thank you, Cementoss. I'll be returning to my homeroom tomorrow.

Cementoss: Not unless you're healed completely. Iida, was it? The class rep? He asked me about you so I told him you were out for some work.

I nodded and he got up from his seat. He bade me goodbye and exited the room. I had nothing to do so I started grading the assignments. Thank god there was a pen on the table. I'm not surprised by their performance. Yaoyorozu, as usual, scored 19/20 followed by Iida's 18. Todoroki and Bakugou were tied at 16. Surprisingly, Uraraka and Asui scored 15. The class is improving.

By the time I finished grading, it was already late. I had to go on patrol and that's exactly why I stood up from the bed. Again, Chiyo popped out of nowhere- how the heck does she do that- and smacked me with her cane.

Chiyo: You are not leaving your bed today. You got stabbed and shot and not to mention you look like a ghost!

Aizawa (Groaning): I have to go on patrol, Chiyo.

Chiyo (glaring): A day's rest isn't gonna kill you. Besides, your Vigilante friend is out there and you know he does a good job.

She isn't wrong but it feels so stupid to rest around while being a pro hero. Well, it's not like one could escape this old woman. A smack or two later, I am back in bed, thinking about Karma.

(2266 words)