Part 24: Shine meets Endeavor...again
Shine stared at Endeavor in silence that lasted only for a split second.
"Who are you?" he demanded, "Where're the UA staff?"
"I am staff, sir." Shine held up her ID--luckily, he couldn't see it that well. "Midnight asked me to man the desk while she...ran an errand."
Or several, she added mentally, annoyed.
"Oh? Then you can tell me. Where can I find my son?" Endeavor demanded, not very politely.
Shine shrugged. "Probably in class. I forget which one they have right now, but you're welcome to roam the halls, just don't scare the kids."
"Are you an intern?" Endeavor demanded.
"No," Shine said.
"Well, check the schedule and tell me exactly where I can find my son," he said, impatiently.
Shine frowned. "Sir, Endeavor, right? I don't happen to have access to that schedule. I can call someone, if you ask me nicely to, or you can try your luck wandering around, like I said. But I'm actually supposed to be getting lunch right now because I have a kid to watch, so... Maybe you should wait for Midnight to return."
"Is that how you address the number one hero?" Endeavor said a bit tightly.
"I talk to everyone this way," Shine shrugged, "I'm not a receptionist." The phone rang. She answered it. "What?"
"Miss Likstar?" All Might said.
"Yes, All Might," Shine said, "Midnight isn't here, if that's what you wanted to ask."
"No, no, I just wanted to ask what the training schedule for this afternoon was," All Might said sheepishly, "I lost mine."
"Oh, that's easy, All Might. 1-A always goes first, because the school likes them more," Shine said, looking right at Endeavor, "Then 1-B. I imagine some long, overly complicated test that is nothing like a real rescue mission will follow, with plenty of twists and turns that would never actually happen, and ending with a refusal to acknowledge the amazingness of all the students involved, so that they think they're doing terribly and need to catch up to some vague standard, that the Pros can't even define or meet."
Silence.
"I just meant what time I should be at the facility and what facility," All Might said.
"Be there after the last non-hero class is over and you see students running to their homeroom," Shine said, "and tell Deku, when you see him, that if he breaks any bones in training, I am personally going to lock him in his room for the rest of the day, after Recovery Girl is done with him."
"Uh...yes..." All Might took that completely seriously.
"And if Bakugo give you any lip, tell him to screw off," Shine added, "and... well, I'll let you figure out the rest. Tell Todoroki his father is looking for him, if you see him."
"What? Endeavor's there?" All Might said.
"Yes, he's right in front of me actually. Want to say hi?" Shine asked.
"Uh... I don't think that'll be necessary..." All Might said.
Endeavor glowered at Shine.
"Okay then...Did you want me to say hi for you?" Shine covered the speaker and asked Endeavor.
"No," he said shortly.
"Well, I'll see you later, All Might," Shine said, "and I think they're training at Ground Beta today, because it was the USJ last week, and the gym is everyday. I imagine that Aizawa will alternate like he usually does."
"Oh, I never noticed that. Thank you." All Might hung up.
Shine looked back at Endeavor. "If you want to talk to your son, I recommend waiting till this evening. You can sit in the lounge or whatever."
"It will only take a moment. I just need to see how he is doing," Endeavor said stiffly, "He hasn't been responding to my messages."
Shine picked up a pen and began doodling words on a page she probably shouldn't have been drawing on. "You could take that as a subtle hint he don't want to hear from you," she said casually.
"What?" Endeavor leaned forward, "Why don't you mind your own affairs?...Why, what has he told you? Who are you? Do you even know him?"
"A bit. I just got hired to be the class supervisor," Shine said, "Allegedly, it's to guarantee their safety in the teacher's off hours, but in reality, I think they just want to make sure the kids aren't shacking up. Midnight definitely would put that idea into their heads."
Endeavor must have known Midnight well enough not to even bat an eyelash at that.
"Well, it would be a distraction for Shoto," he said.
"Actually, a girlfriend might do your son a lot of good," Shine said shamelessly, "He's way too tightly wound about things like that. I don't think he knows how to people."
It must run in the family, she added silently.
"And just how well do you think you know my son?" Endeavor said.
"Pretty well, personality wise," Shine leaned back, "and to answer your previous question, he got your card, and I gave it to him, so he ended up mentioning that he doesn't like all the messages he's been getting. I understand you've been trying to patch things up with him?"
"That's none of your concern--Where would you get that idea?" Endeavor said.
"Sir, he yelled about it at a public sports festival," Shine said dryly, "It's not rocket science to figure this out. Hey, all power to you, if you want to make things better. I believe wholeheartedly in doing that."
She tapped her pencil. "My family went through it too, with a lot of opposition. Don't listen to what the haters say, you know. Change is possible."
Endeavor must have been as tactless as his son, or as clueless, because that revelation didn't seem to strike him as oversharing.
"I will become the kind of Number 1 Hero that Shoto can look up to," he said.
"I see he gets his frankness from you," Shine said, "Hmm, now that you're not getting angry, I do see the resemblance of personality."
"I don't think we're very similar," Endeavor said, in exactly the way Shoto would have, Shine thought. She almost laughed but restrained herself.
"Hey, I know it's none of my business, but I have observed Shoto a lot. If you want, I could give you a tip on how to smooth things over a little."
Endeavor looked at her like he couldn't decide whether to be offended or to take her up on it.
"You think you know?" was his middle ground.
"Well, there's no formula," Shine took that as an invitation, "but, I can tell you, I had a parent who was trying to get back into my good graces, but he went about it in all the wrong ways. And he was insincere, which didn't help---and a liar. But assuming you are sincere, which you seem to be, you have to respect Shoto's boundaries."
"His what? Aren't you crossing a line?" Endeavor said.
"Lines are made to be crossed, sir," Shine said, "and if you get offended at me, at least I have nothing to lose by it. No one else would dare tell the Number 1 Hero he was doing it wrong, and I may never see you again, so I'd like to help now, if I can. Just give me a second and dismiss it if it wasn't helpful."
Endeavor waited.
"Shoto is very independent," Shine said seriously, "Whatever your history is, that's none of my business, but if it's troubled, he'll want to distance himself from that. The only way to retain a relationship that's been damaged like that, is to rebuild it on different things. The right idea is to become the right kind of person, you're right. But, hey, nobody knows how to just change themselves. We've always been one way, we can't just stop. We have no clue how to be anyone but our old, awful selves--I speak for myself here too. I had to change once... I read a lot, but I had help...Therapy helped too. But for right now, what you can do is let Shoto reach out to you, on his terms."
Endeavor raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Don't try to get in touch with him," Shine said, "Wait for him to come to you. Give him space."
"What would that accomplish?" Endeavor said, "That makes it seem like I don't care."
"No, it seems like you care enough not to make him uncomfortable," Shine said candidly, "He has no clue how to handle this new you you want to be. Sometimes, we have to grow separately, then back together. You work on becoming the right kind of person... Don't ask Shoto to tell you what he wants. You become what you think is good. Either he'll accept that, or he won't." She smiled. "That's what love is."
Endeavor stared at her. "What kind of answer is that?"
"It's the best one you'll hear outside of therapy," Shine sat back again, "I'm a religious woman, Endeavor. I believe in redemption, new life, and starting over. But you can't make someone want to do that. We can only do our part. I don't know that I like you so very much personally. You seem pompous and arrogant."
Endeavor looked up sharply. "Excuse me?"
"And you were domineering to me, who you clearly don't even remember meeting," Shine waved dismissively.
Endeavor raised an eyebrow.
"The PTA meeting?" Shine said.
Endeavor got a look of comprehension. Shine went on:
"But, I'm not super sensitive, and I don't care if you notice me or not. It's things like that, though, that will make you a good hero. If you are serious about that, then you will have to care about the lowest of the low. Villains, the quirkless, the weak. Anyone who cannot do that, is not a hero." She folded her hands together.
Endeavor seemed too stunned by the oddity of a total stranger saying all this to even get angry.
Midnight returned right at that moment and stopped and stared at him. Shine gave her a smile that meant both she should feel guilty and be impressed. "I'll walk you out, sir," she said, standing up, "Shoto will be at lunch now anyway, if you want to talk to him."
Endeavor, to Midnight's utter surprise, just curtly nodded at her (Midnight) and followed Shine out. Midnight sat down in the chair and fanned herself. "I can't believe the most tactless employee at this school is with the most easily offended alumni! I should tell Nezu..." then she smiled slyly, "Then again, it'd be more fun not to..."
Shine didn't say a word to Endeavor on the way to the cafeteria, and he didn't say a word to her, but at the door she said, "I'll tell him you're out here, okay? No sense making a sensation by going in there. He'd hate that."
Endeavor did not yet know Shoto well enough to know this, but he had no reason to make a public scene either, so he waited. It didn't occur to him that Shine could tell Shoto literally anything, without him stopping her, but Shine luckily had more honor than that. She marched up to Shoto's table, tray in hand.
"Your father is in the hallway," she said.
Todoroki almost choked on his food. "My father is where? This hall?"
"Yes," Shine said.
"Endeavor is here?!" Deku squeaked.
"He wants to talk to you briefly," Shine said, "I told him to wait out there."
"How did you know he was here?" Todoroki asked.
"Uh, I could easily have just seen him walking up, Sherlock, but I was in the office when he walked in, and we started chatting," Shine shrugged, "Don't worry, we didn't argue or anything. He was pretty nice compared to last time. You should go talk to him, though. So he doesn't come in here."
Todoroki didn't look happy, but he got up. "I can't believe he came here just because I didn't answer a few texts."
"Not to defend him," Shine said, "but with all the attacks at this school, if I were him, I'd freak out too..."
Todoroki didn't answer. He stalked out of the cafeteria. Shine retreated back to her usual table, where some of the girls were sitting already.
"Is something wrong with Todoroki?" Momo asked.
"Not at the moment. He has something to take care of. It's personal," Shine said causally.
Momo nodded.
Todoroki found Endeavor waiting impatiently--or nervously--in the hall.
"Ah... Shoto..." he said.
Todoroki frowned. "What is it? Why are you here?"
"You haven't responded to my messages," Endeavor said.
"I didn't want to," Todoroki said.
Pause.
"You want to be independent?" Endeavor tried.
Todoroki didn't get it. "No, I really just don't want to answer."
Another pause.
"It seems I should respect that," Endeavor said as brusquely as he usually spoke, "I will try to limit my checking in to once a month... or I could just call you teachers, I suppose. If you don't want to be pestered..."
Todoroki had fully expected him to just say he should respond and was taken aback. "Uh..sure... whatever," he said blankly.
"I am going to work on improving myself on my own," Endeavor said, clumsily, "and not bothering you... until you approach me."
"Why would I approach you?" Todoroki said strangely.
"I suppose you wouldn't," Endeavor admitted, "That will be your choice."
Of course that sounded almost like a threat coming from him, but Todoroki had never known him to make threats that were so vague, so he wasn't certain.
"I guess..." he said, "Is that all?"
"Yes, I'll be going now," Endeavor said, "Sorry for taking up your time..." He walked away.
When Todoroki came back in, Shine slipped back out and caught up with Endeavor.
"Excuse me, sir," she said, "I'm sorry, but I have a question."
"What?" Endeavor turned.
"Forgive me if this is impertinent, but... the Nomu that did that to you," Shine pointed to her left eye, "Can I ask if you know who was controlling it?"
Endeavor paused. "The villain known as Dabi," he said finally.
Shine blinked. "Didn't all the other ones work for that one villain? The big one."
"It's concerning, yes... The UA staff should all know this already. Why are you asking me?"
"You were there," Shine said, "This Dabi's quirk, it's a bit like yours, isn't it? If yours was hotter, right? Blue fire is hotter than red."
"The chemical make up of it can be different, but yes, it's hotter," Endeavor said, "It's so hot it feels cold."
"Just like really cold ice burns," Shine said, "Like dry ice. Our nerve endings are actually so shocked that they feel the opposite sensation. I know... it's hot enough to melt flesh, then. That's bad."
Endeavor got a funny look, like he was just now thinking of something odd. "It's dangerous..."
"Those Nomu are dangerous," Shine said, "I don't know much about them, but it's horrifying, what I do know. Don't go anywhere alone, sir. No one should, right now. Not if they keep rigging them to be the bane of certain heroes."
"I don't need advice from someone who's not even a licensed pro," Endeavor said, "At least not one that I've ever heard of. What's your hero name, anyway?"
"Eh, I don't have one," Shine turned, "The kids said I should be Night Light. I think it's kind of dumb myself. I don't need a hero name. I'm not a hero." She shrugged. "Thanks for the info though. I don't want to meet one of those things."
"Someone like you is not going to be target," Endeavor said flatly.
"What's it like, realizing that being No# 1 is actually not about the fame as much as it's about what people expect? And being a target?" Shine said coolly, "I never wanted to be at the top like that. It's hard to carry that burden. I think no one should be doing that alone." She started walking away. "Good luck, Endeavor, I have a feeling I'll be seeing more of you if things heat up around here again."
Endeavor didn't care much for that statement, and he suspected it was a pun. He didn't think he was likely to ever hear of Shine again or need to. He left directly.
"Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
Yesterday is a promise that you've broken
Don't close your eyes
Don't close your eyes
This is your life
And today is all you've got now
Yeah
And today is all you'll ever have
Don't close your eyes
Don't close your eyes
This is your life
Are you who you want to be?
This is your life
Are you who you want to be?
This is your life
Is it everything you dreamed
That it would be when the world was younger
And you had everything to lose?
Yesterday is a kid in the corner
Yesterday is dead and over
This is your life
Are you who you want to be?..."
Shine recounted all she learned to Wally when they switched shifts.
"Dabi controlled it?" Wally said, "You know, call me a naive idiot, but he really doesn't seem like the type to want a mutated pet."
"No, I agree," Shine said, "He doesn't seem like he'd like that, but it's hard to tell. And doesn't something about it seem odd to you? His power is similar to Endeavor's. He fights Endeavor... The scar is on the left."
"I don't think he could have planned that," Wally said.
"Maybe not, but when I'm talking to him, there's something about it him that just reminds me of someone else," Shine said, "I'm not sure who, though."
"Dark, crazy, violent...Could be any number of people I know," Wally said.
"We need to know more about what they want," Shine said, "I can't believe Endeavor told me more than the heroes will."
Wally rubbed his head. "I have an idea about that. I'm going to run some errands. I'll leave my ID at the dorms."
"Be careful," Shine kissed him quickly, "You better not go missing on me."
"Eh, you could just find me anyway, but I'll be fine." Wally saluted and dashed away.
Once he left his ID at the dorm, he put on a hoodie and baseball cap and dashed off Campus. He knew where to avoid the camera by now; He ran around campus almost every day for exercise. He had an address that Shine had shown him prior to this. He dashed around the country until he found it. It wasn't easy following a map of a foreign land. Finally he arrived. He knocked on the door.
Miss Joke opened it. "Mr. West?"
"Hi," Wally said, "You said to come to you if we ever needed help? Can we talk?"
"Come in," Miss Joke held the door for him.
"So," Emi said, as they sat down with some tea and a cat that rubbed up against their legs--and a parrot in the background that would say random phrases in Japanese that Wally couldn't understand. Apparently, translator app didn't apply to animals, "What do you need?"
"Shine and I have been trying to find out about the LOV," Wally said, "We keep running into them. All the school will tell us is that they attacked, tried to kill some people, and are terrorists. And they were inspired by Stain, who's a fanatic currently in prison."
"That's all true," Emi said.
"Yeah, but they won't say what the LOV wants," Wally said.
Emi sipped her tea. "And you think I'll be willing to answer you? Even if they won't? Should I do that?"
"Be straight with me," Wally said, "You believe us, don't you?"
"I don't know what your story is," Emi said.
Wally leaned back. "We're from another world," he said.
Miss Joke spat out her tea, scaring the cat and the parrot, who squawked something that sounded like profanity.
"I'm sorry, did you say another world?" sshe said.
"Yes," Wally said, "That's why we have so many powers. That's why we know nothing about this world. That's why we're weird." He grinned a little wryly. "No one believes us."
Emi looked at him for a long moment. "That's a pretty incredible claim."
"I know," Wally said, "Though, where I come from, it's not that uncommon. I have something called an Open World. That means that comings and goings between worlds and dimensions is common knowledge there. Some of my best friends are from other planets, and I've met a lot of people from different dimensions. Shine was the first person I knew who could open portals without magic or some special machine... She's a World Walker. A person who can travel worlds to bring them something they need that they aren't getting in their world."
"I see," Emi said pensively.
"I'm one too, now," Wally said, "Actually, I had great pre-job experience... but most worlds that I know of don't know about this. They are... silent. Shine calls it that. A Silent world has no communication with other worlds, save for maybe a few walkers from it. Also called DJs (Dimension Jumpers). You might have another word for it. There're usually legends about it. Sci-fi, fairy tales."
Emi nodded. "And you're saying those legends are all based on something?"
"It'd make sense that if so many people come up with an idea, it might be founded in some reality," Wally said, "It's just more real than they think, but I bet even in their world, there are people who believe this stuff is possible and scientists trying to prove it."
"I'm sure there are..." Emi sat back, "Whoo... wow, I was not ready for that." She laughed nervously.
"You believe it?" Wally said.
"Why would you make that up? And it explains a few things," Emi said, "Where is Shine?"
"She's working," Wally said, "I told her I'd look into getting answers... To be honest, Miss Fukakado--"
"You can call me Emi too. Likstar already does," Emi interrupted, "Easier to say right?"
"Oh, heck yeah, thanks," Wally was relieved, "Well, Emi, we... we think if we don't learn more about the villains, our lives could be in danger too. We might end up on their list if we keep running into them. They'll want to use us for info on UA...but UA doesn't trust us. They think we're bad guys."
"And I shouldn't think that," Emi said.
"I promise, we aren't here to hurt anyone," Wally said, "I never want to use my power for evil."
"I'll have to take your word for it," Emi ran her finger around the rim of her teacup, "Well... I don't know that much about the LOV, myself. But, the only way you wouldn't know their motives is if you're being kept from having access to such files... Are you using the school's computers?"
"Yeah."
"Ah. They would filter out those websites," Emi said, "They don't want the students being influenced by villain philosophy. A clever person might bypass it, an electric type perhaps, but not someone with your abilities. I can tell you only the rumors. I haven't met any of the League myself." She twirled her hair.
"The word among the pros, the schools especially, is that they want to burn hero society to the ground. They hate heroes. They believe what Stain did, that we are shallow and glory seekers. They aren't wrong that some of us are, but their actions are unjustifiable. Murder of good people. Attacking innocent students... I'm almost glad no one cares about my school, but I know, we won't be left alone forever. Once the top schools are diminished, they will come for us too. So I have a vested interest in stopping the league, but, my quirk and skills aren't exactly suited to subterfuge."
She leaned on her hand. "Many in the League are people whose quirks are horrifying. We know of one who can drink blood and turn into any person. One who can disintegrate people, can decay things with their touch, a quirk that would be hard to control in childhood, and likely, would have led to some deaths. Makes intimacy with anyone hard, too. I don't know much more than that, but all the craziest, worst people are drawn to the League. People who have no wishes for the law to even exist, radicals who hate everything about the modern era... people who are bitter over their quirks. You see?"
"I know some powers are hard," Wally said, "I'm lucky, I don't look any different. I have a green friend. He's gotten some bad treatment.. but he earned people's trust."
"That's true. You can. Gang Orca did that," Emi said, "but, on the other hand, what if your quirk's horrid to being with? Drinking blood is pretty terrifying. That's not the worst example either. Some quirks are just monstrous."
"Can't people just choose not to use them?" Wally said, "I mean... uh, not to be rude, but how did that person find out they could turn into people by drinking blood?"
"You make a good point. There's a theory that people with quirks like that just naturally have tendencies the rest of us are afraid of," Emi said, "Like I like to laugh... but sometimes, I don't know if that's because of my quirk, or because I am truly a funny girl," She looked around, "Our quirks affect who we are, Wally-san. Is it not the same way with you?"
"I did notice some changes, but who I am, what I like, it's the same with or without my power. Shine helped me know that, actually," Wally said, "I lost my power for awhile... She treated me the same... I realized, I was the same. Just...without speed."
"That's a revelation I'd like to be able to have," Emi said, "but it's unlikely I ever will have it. Then again, the LOV was working with that gang that wanted to erase people's quirks... I don't know if I was supposed to tell you that. The schools have been warned about it."
"Like... that Mirio kid's?" Wally said.
"Yes... the samples went missing too," Emi said, "That's a secret for sure, though. You should be careful."
"Oh, that wouldn't work on me," Wally said, "My power isn't biological. I'm connected to a dimensional force. It's more spiritual."
"Oh...good for you," Emi said, "but... well... the rest of us are not so sure. I'm not sure there's a hero who knows about it who doesn't wonder if they could be next, if they become too much of a target."
"And so, they will be afraid to put themselves out there," Wally said.
Emi nodded. "That child UA is guarding will be a target for the League if they want to recreate that drug."
Wally swallowed. "That's so sick, using a kid for that."
"Villains do sick things," Emi said rather grimly for her, "UA hasn't made this clear to you? They should be preparing you for the worst."
"I know, right?" Wally sighed, "Anything else?"
"What else do you need to know?"
"Bakugo got kidnapped. Why did they do that? Why not kill him, if they wanted to threaten heroes?" Wally asked.
"Ah, they intended to turn him to their side," Emi said, "Apparently they mistook his violent tendencies for evil. Some kind of revenge on UA. perhaps? But Bakugo refused, as Eraser thought he would. Eraser does know his students, I'll give him that."
"Geez, you two kind of seem perfect for each other," Wally said, "You know him so well."
"Yeah, well, try telling him that," Emi chuckled dryly, "He is fun to tease, though."
"Bakugo's crazy, but I couldn't see him joining a sick group like that," Wally said, "He's not evil, just has anger issues... Shine likes him, I know."
"So does Eraser. That's good enough for me. But, there was talk," Emi said, "All of it looks bad, especially for UA. The problem is, Wally-san, if I'm really honest, the LOV's continued existence looks bad for heroes, period. No matter what they do, and how much actual damage is done, we look out of control."
"It's so different on my world," Wally said, "Heroes are free there. We choose to help when we want to. No one blames us if villains pop up again--well, not that many people anyway--because they know we just have to do the best we can... There's way less of us, though. Probably less than 1% of my world are superheroes."
"Wow," Emi said, "It's like your decades behind us, then."
"Not really. We don't all have genetic powers. We get ours from accidents or gifts or strange forces. (Some are not all good)...Mine was kind of both. Some of us are just from other planets where those powers are normal and everyone has them. My best buddy belongs to an order of intergalactic defenders... So yeah, it's different."
"That sounds fantastic," Emi's eyes were huge, "Well, I'd like to see that world sometime... but here, you see, heroes are much more regulated. That's not something I've ever had a problem with, but it does limit us and put on a lot of responsibility in the eye of the public. I can't imagine anything like what you're describing ever existing here. Not since the vigilante era."
"Why did the Government start regulating quirks and making heroes civil servants instead of vigilantes?" Wally asked.
Emi looked around like she might be being watched, then said in a low voice,
"Truthfully.... the smart pros know, it's to control us. Not just to protect innocent people from being hurt by quirks... but to protect those in power from changing systems just because of powerful people. No ruling by might... That's what they want. It's true that would be a cruel society. It was... but I know very little about that. It's been erased from records."
"But what if it wasn't that simple?" Wally said, "What if there was something about being free that heroes are missing now? And that's why the villains are messing with you all so easily?"
"It would be considered radical to even voice such thoughts, let alone act on them," Emi said, "I would lose my license. You would probably be investigated."
"So, you're not even allowed to think it," Wally said.
"I can't say any more on it," Emi said vaguely, "I've said too much for comfort already. And, Mr. West, the world won't change to match yours... If you want that, then you shouldn't be here. You'll have to learn to be part of this society if you want to live here. Sorry."
"I see your point, but I don't know if I agree," Wally rubbed his head, "I'll have to think about it." He stood. "Thanks. If I stay gone to much longer, they might figure it out. They wouldn't like me meeting with you, you know. They think we're collecting data on them to sell them out."
"I have no reason to mention this," Emi said, standing too, "Be careful Mr. West... UA won't hurt you, but, being around them, you'll draw attention to yourself."
"Yeah, I got that, thanks," Wally said. He left quickly.
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