Shine put on some music to help relax while they waited the last 45 minutes.

https://youtu.be/vfUVd_-TQuA

"Feel the weight fill the space in the void of my own time. I'm surrounded in pain passed down through my bloodline. I have tried to escape from the maze, but it's no use. These chains never break, never budge, never come loose. Story's over. 

Standing still & it feels like I'm lost in a coal mine. Inside realize I'm at war in my own mind. It's a place fear creates. I'll be here for a long time, & you don't know where I've been. You weren't there on the front lines. Story's over .

Maybe it's not over. Changing is found in motion. Maybe there's balance when you're moving.  

Could stopping bring you closer? Maybe tilts you over, leaning into the same old story, crossing over.

Maybe fear can't define all the walls 'til you enter, and even blood couldn't bind who you are at the center. Could it be that you're more than the scars on the surface? As the heat is beneath all the ash of the embers crossing over.-

The way it's told, there's no more room to grow. The way it's told, there's no return home." 

While she was doing that, and some of the group were listening with her, while others did there own thing to try to relax, Hawks thought about the situation some more.

He didn't know if he liked that they were all still going ahead with this idea.

They couldn't really be doing this for him, could they? They had to hate him now.

He got the answer to that unexpectedly when he caught the end of a conversation between Monama, Shinso, and the 1-A students. Camie was out of the room with Medea at the time.

"Not that I'm not flattered to be included," Monama was saying, "but it feels more like they just couldn't get anyone else. And, I am wondering, why are we even going ahead with this? Surely the Pro heroes can take it from here."

"Not fast enough," Shoto spoke.

"I seriously don't see how we can do it if they can't," Shinso said, "Not that I'm not willing to try, but still. And what are the two supervisors' motives here?"

"Oh, you know Shine and Wally," Momo said gently, "They can't bear to let anyone go on alone if they are in trouble. I don't think they'd turn away their worst enemy if he or she needed help."

"That's quite a hefty statement," Shinso said, "Do you mean Hawks? He's kind of a b-----d for a Pro, huh?"

"Shh, he might hear you. I don't know where he went," Momo hissed.

"I don't care if he does." If Shinso had known Hawks was indeed hearing this, he probably would have retracted that declaration pretty quickly. "I'm still disappointed. We look up to heroes because they don't compromise with villains. And here, all of them are, and even the non heroes are. I just don't get it."

"Why the frick are you helping, then?" Bakugo said.

"Because I don't get it. I don't just want to leave it on that and not know what comes of all this," Shinso replied, "Wouldn't you?"

Silence. Bakugo probably would.

"Shoto, your dad almost died because of Hawks' collusion with the LOV," Shinso went on, "and you're okay with this."

"I've learned to stop trying to talk either of my supervisors out of helping someone," Shoto said, "To be frank, Shinso-san, they simply do not care if we think it's a bad idea. That's who they are...and I'm starting to think they're right to be that way. It gets people's attention."

"Oh, sure, they think they're soft," Shinso scoffed, "I mean, Miss Likstar has said some pretty scalding things to me. I didn't like it, but I thought later, 'this woman is tough.' I can respect that. But then, she just wants to let Hawks off just like that, and she doesn't care that the LOV are murdering scoundrels. Now, it's like, does she just hate heroes? Because she picks on us and spares people who actually deserve it."

"Well, why do you care about her opinion?" Monama said airily, "If she's as bad as that, it doesn't matter. West never bothers us as much."

"He'll say things, if you listen," Momo said seriously, "His opinions are just as strong-- he's just not as vocal. But he has a lot to offer too."

"Just doesn't pick as many fights," Bakugo said. Since he didn't deny it, that was probably the nicest thing he'd ever said about Wally.

"But you know, it's not just them," Momo went on, "We all agree. I know the two of you are on the fence, but I think helping Hawks it the right thing to do. Don't you feel sorry for him?"

"He doesn't act very sorry," Shinso said, "Do you think he even feels bad?"

"I think he does," Shoto said, "but that wouldn't make me forgive him."

"So why are you helping him?" Monama said.

Shoto was quiet for a second, then he said, "Well...I guess...I did some stupid things last year and this year too, and I thought they were right at the time. Maybe I understand how you could get lost in all the pressure...if you feel like you have to do one thing... I don't know why he did it all, but maybe he really just felt like he had no choice. He hasn't really explained, but I don't think he's enjoying this, so I assume he didn't want it to go this way. Should we give him a chance to fix it?"

"Well...I never thought I'd hear you say that," Monama said, "In fact...again, what has gotten into all of you?"

"I think you know," Momo said simply, "We're all different now...but I think that's great... I mean, I don't feel I've lost track of my goals or anything, but some things seem more important than others now. A real hero should care about people, not applause, right?"

"Did Likstar tell you that?" Shinso had heard that line from her in some form too.

"She told us that, but that's not what convinced me," Momo said.

"Oh? What did?" Monama said.

The 1-A kids were silent for a second.

"I know what convinced me was how they were forgiving," Shoto said, "even to me--I made some mistakes--and understanding about my struggles. I always went through things alone in the past, and I thought I always would, but I don't feel like that anymore." He sounded kind of happy, actually. "It's more than just them, but they started it, and it's... I've become part of something... I guess it's like a family, in a way. I always wanted that, but I didn't know I did till now."

"Ugh, well, it's nothing that sappy for me," Bakugo said.

"Oh, I'm dying to hear your reasons." Monama didn't sound quite as sardonic as he intended to there.

Bakugo huffed. "I ain't afraid of you, Copy Cat... Eh, well, like Icyhot, it's not just them that made me convinced, but yeah, they started it. Other stuff stacked up... I guess what stuck with me the most was the strength and weaknesses part... If I'm going to be really strong, I have to know where I'm weak too. I stopped looking down on other people from having weaknesses, because weaknesses and strengths can be the same thing. Maybe they think it's awkwardness, and it looks like a strength to you. So you never know. And you have to do the best with what you got and be the best you can be, but if you always worry about being better than everyone else, you're not even going to be the best you, because people aren't the same, and it's easy for one person, and it's hard for another. Guess you could say I got more realistic."

That was indeed a far more realistic philosophy than his old one.

"For the record, Bakugo," Momo said, "I really do think you're getting much better at surpassing yourself... I mean, look at where we started from."

"Tch," Bakugo snorted but didn't argue.

"Well, black is white and up is down," Monama said, "What about you, Head of the Class?"

Momo hesitated. "I agree with both of them...but, for me, I also...you know, I never know what I really thought before this year. I just thought what I was told, and I never even knew that was a problem. I saw Todoroki or even Bakugo had stronger convictions than me, and I admired that, but I couldn't imitate it. I won't say the DJs gave me conviction, but...everything around their arrival made me think so hard about what I really believed. I had to become...stronger... I've learned what I believe, I think. One thing I believe in is compassion and mercy."

"I see, and this ties back to the subject," Shinso said, "I have to say...you're not crediting them with making you this way, but you all weren't like this without them, so aren't they kind of the ones who did it?"

"That's not how they work," Shoto said, "I think they'd be insulted if you said that, actually."

"They ain't no helicopter teachers," Bakugo sniffed, "They never made us do jacks---!"

"Yes, you don't understand," Momo said, "That's their secret, is they don't make you do anything. But if you just hang around them long enough, you start to understand yourself, and...I don't know-- I don't always like what I see, but they are always ready to help you, if you want to change, to confront it. I'd almost say they're like a mirror. But the change...that's not them. They wouldn't say it was either, trust me. It's just something they help you with. They're teachers, you know. They aren't fixing us. I think that's the word Cece used about some people who try to control you... That's not what they do."

"I wouldn't let someone do that to me," Shoto said, "I don't like that... I guess that's what Midoriya kind of tries to do... I really appreciate his help during the festival, but I think he's kind of gotten the idea that you have to make people listen to you, and I just don't think people like that."

[This is a canon thing Shoto has said in season 3. I'm paraphrasing, but he did express some doubt in Deku's method, so I'm not hating on Deku here, Deku fans.]

"No, they don't." Monama didn't seem to see it as ironic to say that.

"So...they teach you, and you change," Shinso said.

"Teach...well, they teach by example to," Shoto said, "I want to be the kind of person who is as good as them. Though I don't think I'd talk to people that bluntly..."

"You already do that, Icyhot," Bakugo snorted.

"I do?" Shoto looked blank.

"Idiot," Bakugo muttered.

"Clearly, we shouldn't try to be just like them," Momo said, "I...really don't think that's possible anyway. I mean, that's like trying to be just like All Might. It's an example you have to follow in your own way, you know. But, Shinso, how's it any different than trying to be a good good hero...? Except this seems to work out better."

"That depends," Shinso said, "Because it seems to me it makes you more open to doing things most people consider illegal."

"But are they wrong?" Shoto wondered, "Even before they showed up, I had my doubts about it. Maybe I always knew. Don't know if I would have done anything about it though. I'm kind of glad they showed up. Would you want to stand by in all this?"

"I..." Shinso hesitated. He must not have thought of it that way.

"People think too much about rules," Bakugo said flatly, "Sometimes you just gotta do a thing."

"Sounds like what a villain would say," Monama said.

"Monama," Bakugo actually used his real name, "get it through your thick skull: The idea we have of villains is just a blown-up stereotype. Villains don't just break the rules, they trample on people who are in their way. Breaking the rules to help someone else shouldn't be a bad thing. Frick, why do the rules even exist if they stop you from helping people when they need it? It makes no gosh-danged sense."

"Yeah, if there was a rule saying you couldn't give money to someone, even if you knew they needed it, and they were right in front of you, wouldn't you still do it?" Shoto asked.

"Uh...I really don't know," Monama said.

"Maybe there's a good reason for that rule," Shinso said.

"That's what I thought once," Momo said, "but what exactly is a good reason?"

Silence.

What was?

Unable to come up with one, the other boys shrugged.

"Okay, but Hawks," Shinso said, "he's not some innocent person."

"Yeah, but who do you think put him up to this?" Shoto said, "We all know it was the Government, the same ones making the rules. So he followed rule-makers orders to go against the principles of authorities. It's just...weird."

"It is, when you put it like that," Monama admitted.

"So the rules won't help us," Bakugo declared, "It's all fricked up. We have to decide for ourselves. We ain't gonna hurt anyone by that, and if we do, they deserved it for being hypocrites to being with."

"I just don't know," Shinso said.

"But, Shinso, if you don't know, and you do nothing, how is that any different?" Momo challenged gently, "I used to just do nothing or just follow someone else's lead because I didn't know...and was that really any better?"

"I bet All Might himself would say it's right to help," Bakugo said.

There, he was probably quite correct. [I think All Might has a good heart, after all. Stupid, but a good heart.]

"I think that might be true..." Monama admitted, "Well, I suppose it makes sense when you lay it out like that. I thought they kind of bullied you into this, but you really just decided on your own. I almost have to admire that."

"Does this mean we can finally put our feud to rest?" Momo said.

"It's not really a feud. He just provokes us," Shoto said, "and I've never cared about beating the Class B."

That had to sting Monama's pride.

"Uh...well," he said awkwardly, "I suppose it's pretty much meaningless at this point for the three of you, but the whole class..."

"Oh, let it go, idiot," Bakugo said, "No one cares."

"You shouldn't talk, Bakugo," Shoto said.

"Why, you--" Bakugo stopped. It was too true for him to really argue.

"Well, I let it go," he huffed grumpily.

"It's great that you've buried the hatchet, but it doesn't help me," Shinso said, "I guess I'll have to think about it more. We'll be moving out soon. I think I should make a call first."

He left the room.

Hawks moved off too.

He almost ran into Fuyumi in his rush to get out of sight.

"Oh, I sorry," she apologized, grabbing her glasses, "I was just looking for Shoto."

"He's back there." Hawks gestured.

He kind of liked Fuyumi. She was nice, and she'd been very understanding about the whole thing... He sort of felt bad about the house.

But he felt bad a lot. His mind turned back to being depressed.

"I don't want to disturb his conversation though..." Fuyumi peered around the corner and shook her head. "I'm just worried about Dad."

Fuyumi blurted out her thoughts as much as her father did, Hawks noticed. Really must run in the family.

"Oh, he'll be fine," he said flatly, "Nothing he can't handle."

"Everyone says that," Fuyumi said, "but I do not know if it's true... I wouldn't say it to Shoto, though, and worry him, but..." She adjusted her glasses. "Well, Dad literally has a scar to remind all of us how close he can come to dying..."

Hawks felt guilty.

"Uh, sorry about that. Again."

"About what? Oh." Fuyumi frowned a little. "Well...I suppose it's too late to really start passing blame around. After all, Dabi admitted to doing it on purpose too."

"Dabi? When did you talk to Dabi?" Hawks said. He was in the group, right? But what a strange conversation that would be.

Then again, he was partially to blame, and he was talking to her, so...

"Oh?" Fuyumi acted like she'd just realized she'd made a mistake. "Uh, earlier."

"And he talked about Endeavor?"

"Yeah, well, that and other stuff.... You don't know, do you?" Fuyumi peered at him suspiciously.

"Know what?" Hawks said.

"Oh...nothing." Fuyumi wasn't a very good liar either. "Just something I...heard. Anyway. So, there's blame all around... You really weren't trying to get Dad killed though, were you?"

"No, just hurt," Hawks said.

That sounded pretty bad too. She blinked.

"I mean, ideally he wouldn't have been either." Hawks found himself over-explaining. "I thought, you know, he'd probably beat that nomu, and it would end up backfiring on Dabi, but it would look like I had nothing to do with it, then I had to step in and help because the nomu was tougher than it looked. Only I couldn't help that much because I rescued so many people first...so it did do a lot of a damage, but Endeavor pulled through. I knew he was a fighter. I had to play it off later like I was only trying to look like a hero, not actually help him. Kind of think Dabi was on to it though."

"Well, he was never stupid," Fuyumi said, again like she knew him. Then she shook her head. "I mean, to come up with that idea...so... Well, it's nice to hear it wasn't quite as bad as we thought. I'm still grateful you helped Dad defeat it."

"You really don't need to be grateful," Hawks said, "I'm just terrible at planning. The nomu was supposed to kill some people, and I led it to Endeavor, thinking he'd kill it instead. And that almost backfired...no pun intended."

Fuyumi glanced away. "At least he did kill it. Any other hero would have died."

"And it would have been on me," Hawks said.

"I think it would have been on Dabi. So I'm even more glad that didn't happen," Fuyumi said.

Okay, she clearly knew Dabi...but how?

Hawks frantically thought of a list of odd things the family had said about him...and why had he been there at their house yesterday?

And that picture...

Suddenly it clicked.

"Oh, s---," he said aloud without thinking, "Dabi is Touya."

Fuyumi's eyes winded. "What?" But it was a guilty what, not a confused what.

"Oh...it all makes sense now!" Hawks forgot that this was supposed by a secret. "Well, that's good. For a second I thought the LOV was even more deeply involved here than I thought--Wait, that's not good. That's actually really bad. If this got out--"

"Mr. Hawks, please, lower your voice," Fuyumi hissed, "The other kids don't know that yet! And for that matter, neither does my dad, and I don't know how you just figured it out, but you can't tell him, okay? It would destroy him."

"Your dad?" Hawks said, "I mean, you don't think he already might be a little suspicious?"

"I don't know if he is, possibly," Fuyumi said, "but I know Natsuo is furious, and Touya especially doesn't want Dad to know about him yet. Even more so, the Metas shouldn't know about him. I'm right-- they'd go after him even more."

"Well, he doesn't look like himself anymore."

"They saw the picture."

Hawks snapped his fingers. "That's why you were so worried about that. I figured it out... Oh, hey, that's smart... Wait, they did see it."

"Yes," Fuyumi said, deflated, "I'm afraid I might have been too late... I can hope they don't know what he looks like now... At least his hair is different, but still..."

"He was so small..." Hawks said.

"He was small for his age. I never thought he'd get as tall as he is now," Fuyumi admitted, "but that's not the point."

"Well, I won't tell Endeavor-- or anyone else," Hawks said, "I mean, my word may not mean much, but it's not really like that question would be asked anyway... It won't matter soon, if they catch me anyway...but I think you probably should tell him. He's going to find out sooner or later. Dabi is freaking on the mission."

"I know, I know," Fuyumi said, "That's what I thought, but he's gone back to being how he was as a kid...loyal, and he wants help, and I really can't say he's wrong, but I'm worried now. I just got him back after all this time... Sorry." She shook her head. "I'm rambling, but I mean...right now would be a bad time for Dad to find out. It would distract him too much, so I hope it stays secret for bit longer."

[Not holding my breath for it, Fuyumi. But we can hope.]

"Wait..." Hawks realized something. "That means Endeavor is Dabi's dad... He tried to kill his dad."

Fuyumi just stared at him. For someone as nice as her, she probably wasn't thinking, "Duh, you idiot," but it must have been a similar thought.

"Oh, wow..." Hawks felt he'd dodged a real bullet, there. Helping someone kill their own dad was another layer of fricked up. 

"You're kind of more calm about it than I'd expect someone to be," he said instead.

Fuyumi tilted her head. "I guess...maybe I'm still in shock...but after I talked to Touya again, I couldn't picture him as Dabi anymore... He's not that psycho serial killer now. I can't explain how...or why...but he's back...not the same, but he's not evil. I know that much. He even let me hug him. Touya wouldn't have done that. So, I know. But Natuso and my dad probably wouldn't believe it, and I'm very worried for Touya. I would appreciate you not bringing up to him that you figured it out..."

"Oh, sure." Hawks didn't feel like getting set on fire any sooner than absolutely necessary.

"Actually, if I could ask a favor..." Fuyumi said slowly, "and if it's too much trouble I understand, but if, while you're out there, you could just...try to make sure Touya doesn't get killed...I mean, for Shoto's sake too, and I don't know what kind of reckless things he might do. He never was very careful with himself... I couldn't stop him then. I know I can't stop him now, but maybe someone else can. I know Ms. Likstar will do her best, but the more people on it, the better chance, right?"

"I think that's the least I could do." Hawks felt guilty all over again. He really was the worst... "But Dabi's kind of hard to kill, so I think he'll be fine."

He could hope... Dabi had fought Metas before, after all...granted, probably not as many as they were going to fight today if all went according to plan, but still.

[And I hope that satisfied you HawksxFuyumi shippers.

I do ship it, but I wouldn't expect anything really to get going for a while. Hawks has  a lot of damage. But at least Fuyumi is the type of person to try to understand that. Gotta love her.

Dabi is so busted later, though.]