Wally and Shine decided it would be best if Hawks didn't really know who both of them were unless necessary, so Wally pretended to split off from Shine and head to the bus stop. Shine kept walking, and she sensed Hawks was right on her heels, but he waited to appear until she'd veered very far East. She was still in a not very nice part of town from the looks of it, and all alone, she felt a little uneasy and began to wish he'd just appear and get it over with.

She had to make herself vulnerable on purpose. Nothing happened until she had turned a corner of a building onto a street next to a parking lot, then a bunch of red feathers suddenly pinned her to the wall through her clothes.

Shine was not very happy about a bunch of holes now being in her outfit-- she didn't have any too many of those, come to think of it. Now that UA was paying her, she really should go shopping and get some more stuff...

Hawks landed in front of her, running a feather sword through his hand casually. "Sorry for dropping in so unexpectedly," he said, "but I couldn't help but be curious after our little encounter earlier with you-know-who. Maybe now that he's not around, you'd be willing to share..."

Shine was not really in a great mood after being pinned to the wall, and she frowned. "Can you let me go, please?"

 She knew Wally would have doubled back by now and be watching her, if she needed him, but she preferred not to need him in this case.

"Sure, once you tell me why you're meeting with Dabi," Hawks said, "You know something about the LOV, don't you?... You two aren't... uh...?"

"I already answered that," she said.

"I thought you were bluffing," Hawks said.

Shine frowned. "No, I was serious."

"But what about all that flirting?" Hawks said.

"What flirting? Look, Mr. Hawks, I don't appreciate this," Shine said. She would have crossed her arms if she could. "And this is also uncomfortable. Furthermore, do you really think this is going to stop me from getting away? Get these feathers out-- one's poking me in the ribs. Or I'm gone."

Hawks was either really gullible, or he knew she was serious. He sighed and pulled out some of the feathers, enough so she should move her arms down.

Shine very deliberately yanked out the other ones also.

"I really don't think I can tell you my connection to the LOV, unless you tell me yours," she said, more evenly, "Why would I, if I get nothing out of it? And how do I know I can trust you?"

"Well, I'm the number 2 hero," Hawks said.

"On a scale I don't care about," Shine said.

"Well, if Dabi is using me, why wouldn't you?" Hawks tried a different tactic. "I can make it worth your while. An information swap. What do you know about the LOV?"

"And you want to do this out in the open?" Shine said, though no one was around. 

"Well... no..." Hawks admitted, "I guess not. Oh, I know." He snapped his fingers, then the feathers swirled around Shine and shot up into the air with her. Hawks flew after them.

In another minute, to Shine's horror, they were on top of a very high building, at least a mile from where she'd just been.

Wally could find her up here, but it was going to be much harder for him to do it unseen.

To make matters worse, there was no railing, and she was terrified of heights.

Shine grabbed the pole at the top of the building like it was her lifeline and went very pale.

Hawks realized his mistake-- but didn't seem inclined to rectify it.

"I guess you don't love heights, huh? I do. Makes me feel free."

"Sir, I'm going to faint if you don't get me down from here," Shine said.

"First tell me about the League," Hawks said.

Shine blinked at him. "What? Are you threatening me?"

"I'm not saying I won't leave you here-- I'm not saying I will," Hawks shrugged.

Shine glared at him. "Wow, real heroic," she said sarcastically.

"If you're a villain, this is going easy on you," Hawks retorted.

"You know, I liked you before, but that's changing," Shine snapped.

"I don't really care," Hawks said, "but it's interesting to see your true colors. People always show what they are really like when they feel in danger."

"And the fact that I could have nightmares about this experience for days isn't of any major concern to you?" Shine said.

"If you were really that scared, I don't think you'd be articulating it," Hawks said.

Shine lost some of her tact. "What kind of idiot are you? Don't they teach you this in hero training? Oh, it's so much fun interrogating the acrophobe on the top of a skyscraper. Well, let me tell you something, hero, I only answer questions of people I trust, and you're not earning that right now."

She saw Wally on a building behind Hawks, waving at her like"are you okay?" Then he pointed down. Shine swallowed.

"Come on, I'm perfectly capable of catching you," Hawks said, "You've got nothing to worry about, if you cooperate. Just tell me your connection to Dabi."

"We both enjoy mocking heroes. I guess you could call that a connection." Shine tried to take deep breaths and not look down.

"Not really what I meant... but does that mean you are helping the LOV?" Hawks said.

"Sure," Shine said, very noncommittally, "I'm sure you'll believe that anyway, right? You Pros really are all the same, aren't you? At least you top ones... I'm starting to miss Endeavor. Never thought I'd say that."

"You're a fan of Endeavor?" Hawks said, "Same. But you know what Dabi did to him, right?"

"As do you," Shine said cuttingly.

Hawks looked uneasy now. "Well, it was necessary."

"Oh, bullcrap," Shine said. 

Her usual patience was fraying under the stress... and her patience level for heroes wasn't too high anyway. "It was neither necessary nor wise, and you're a terrible double agent. Dabi was two minutes away from killing him, and you weren't going to be able to stop it. It's clear enough you're not calling the shots here. That means you haven't given him any info that's really worth risking trusting you over. It was easy enough to read the situation back there... I just don't see why you're doing this, Hawks. You know they'll kill you. You're walking into a trap so easily. Even if Dabi doesn't stab you in the back, someone else will."

Hawks looked grim. "Maybe I'm not really a double agent. Maybe I really do sympathize with the LOV."

"You're a bigger fool than before if that's the case," Shine said, "The LOV are hypocritical psychopaths. Frankly they don't deserve Dabi's patronage, but there it is. And no, I don't need to meet them to know that. I'm not sure exactly what you want me to tell you. Names? Dates? Places? I've made a priority not to learn any of those things, just in case this exact situation occurred."

"That sounds strikingly like you're helping them, then," Hawks said.

"Or did I choose not to know what you are so desperate to know?" Shine really didn't need to make that dig, but her temper was pretty much worn down by now.

Hawks frowned. "Not the most convincing story, is it? 'Likstar', was it? Maybe the police should finish this little investigation for me. Technically, I don't have the authority to do it."

"Oh, sure, smart. Earn Dabi's trust by turning in his potential ally," Shine said sarcastically.

"It didn't seem like he saw it that way," Hawks said. "What were you doing down there? Looking for other villains?"

"You're about as good at subtle questions as I am," Shine commented, "but I can learn a lot from vague answers. Can you?"

Hawks started at her. "Was that supposed to be clue?"

"It is, if you had the perception to know it," Shine said, "I daresay I've already learned exactly what kind of Pro you are from this conversation. But, there's one way I could prove it." She really didn't want to do this, but Wally has signaled her, so she knew he was ready. She let go of the pole and forced herself to walk forward.

"What?" Hawks didn't see it coming. "What do you mean, prove it?" 

Shine drew a deep breath and jumped off the edge before she had time to think about it. 

There were a few terrible seconds of free falling---before Hawk's feathers shot down and swooped her back up, then he grabbed her. "Are you crazy?" he said.

Shine shoved at him. "Let go of me! Can't you take a hint?!"

"I think I shouldn't," Hawks said, "You could've died just now."

"I wouldn't have died," Shine said. Though really, she felt a little sick. "And I'm going to be late thanks to you---That does it!" She waved her hand.

Hawks blinked but had no time to stop before he crashed into a portal---

Out the other end, they were not at UA but near the mall that Shine had shopped at with the girls. She wasn't stupid enough to go to UA with Hawks.

Wally was there a second later, but he hung back, pretending to just be a shopper.

Shine shoved the surprised Hawks away from herself, but then she covered her mouth.

Uh, oh, acrophobia and a portal immediately afterward were not the best combination. She ran toward a planter and lost her breakfast.

Hawks was still confused about where he was and didn't pay her much mind until he had a chance to swoop upward and see. Then he came back down.

"Did you just abduct me?"

"It wasn't that hard..." Shine turned, still a little pale, "and you started it. You could have just let me go. Now, this interview of ours is over. Sorry."

"Wait," Hawks said.

"No." Shine made a motion. "But a word of warning, Hawks. Dabi isn't going to trust you. I wouldn't if I were him. You should back out of this before you get yourself killed. Tell your superiors someone warned you about that. And remember, your life isn't just something you should throw away." 

She vanished as Wally dashed by too fast to be seen and grabbed her.

"Are you okay?" Wally asked Shine once they were safely at UA.

Shine rubbed her stomach. "Yeah, I'm okay now. It was just too much of a sensory overload. I was fine a few minutes later."

"I thought he'd probably grab you if I didn't, but I wasn't sure you were going to go through with that," Wally said. 

"I could have portaled too, but I didn't want someone to see it," Shine said, "but that was a huge waste of time... for both parties."

"Didn't you learn anything?" Wally said.

"Only that someone is making him do this," Shine said, "That much was clear.... All he thought is that I was flirting. Isn't that funny?"

"Yeah, because that's what is sounded like," Wally said.

"What?" Shine said, confused.

"Talking to Mr. Edgelord, I would have sworn you were talking about secretly dating if I didn't know better," Wally said. He started snickering. "I was dying of suppressed laughter the whole time. I thought I'd blow my cover for sure. Don't tell me you really didn't notice."

"I thought a few remarks could have been misinterpreted, but not as much as you're saying," Shine was embarrassed, "I don't think..." She thought back over the conversation, and then she grimaced. "Oh, gosh, you're right... Oh, how did I miss that?"

"Kind of makes it funnier that you didn't realize it..." Wally smirked harder.

Shine shoved him. "Well, you're the one who didn't stop me!"

"I wasn't going to blow cover just to bail you out of that," Wally said, waving her off.

Shine pouted.

"Hey, baby, it's no big deal. Lots of superhero women use that to keep things controlled during fights. You're just like one of them," Wally said. His comfort voice was undermined by how hard he was still tying not to laugh.

"You're making fun of me," Shine said flatly.

"Only a little..." Wally choked on another laugh. "Sorry... but, come one, you have to think it's funny too."

Shine gave him a look... then she snorted a laugh. "Okay, it's a little bit funny," she admitted, "Oh, poor Dabi. No wonder he kept glaring at me."

"Oh, he deserved it," Wally dismissed it, "Though, he kind of started playing along. I didn't really think he had a sense of humor."

"No, he does. It's just very, very dry and deadpan," Shine said, "Hey...uh...true confession, I kind of like him more than the Pros.... Is that bad?"

"Depends. Are you developing a thing for bad boys?" Wally said.

"Wally West!" Shine shoved him again.

"Just asking... Honestly, I don't know much about the guy personally, but from what you're saying, I kind of prefer him too... Other than the crazy killer part, he's not that far off about heroes... I'm getting sick of them, and I never thought I'd say that." Wally shook his head. "Hawks was being such a bully back there. I wanted to punch him."

"Hawks? He's trying to play the role of bad guy. I don't think he'd normally have done that," Shine said, "I tried to make him stop, but he was committed... I don't know, anyone with the patience to befriend Endeavor is either meaner than most heroes or much, much nicer. One or the other. I think he felt bad... but then, he really wants answers. I can't imagine his superiors are liking that Dabi gives him the runaround.... What a mess..." She sighed. "How late are we?"

"Look, it's fine. You go rest. I'll take care of Eri," Wally said, "You shouldn't push it."

"I'm really okay... but if you're offering, I'll take it." Shine said. 

"We'll figure out what to do about bird man later," Wally promised.

Shine nodded and went back toward the dorms.

Actually, she was a lot more worn out than she realized. As soon as she got inside, the adrenaline from being so high up, and the interrogation, ran out and she felt really shaky. She had to lay on the sofa for a long time to recover and calm down.

By and by the kids began to filter in. Momo looked at her with concern. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," Shine said.  Sighing. "Just tired."

"Oh... okay," Momo didn't seem convinced.

Shine went back to lying down for a bit with one of her books. Most of the kids went off to do homework. She had her "talk" with Mineta at that time. Afterward, she was more tired than before and sat down out in the courtyard to enjoy some peace and quiet. Wally was back by then, and he checked on her. Then he went inside to rest also.

Wally noticed Bakugo was just hanging around the kitchen and checking his phone.

"Uh... is something wrong?" Wally asked.

Bakugo jumped like he's been shocked. "What the he--- are you sneaking up on me for! Dumba---!"

"Someone really should wash your mouth out with soap." Wally rubbed his ear. 

Bakugo scowled at him.

"So is something wrong or not?" Wally asked.

"Shove it up yours," Bakugo snapped.

Wally really didn't like his attitude, but he supposed it might be a sign there was something eating the kid. 

"Hey, whatever it is, you could always just tell me... but if you don't want to talk, fine. I don't always want to talk either... It just helps usually. But I get it, you don't like me. It's no problem... You should try talking to someone you do like though. Do you some good." He walked away shaking his head.

Bakugo huffed to himself. What did that stupid ginger think he was about, anyway? Like he was going to tell him anything.... This was all Likstar's fault anyway... Yeah...

Clenching his fists, he stormed outside, where Shine was just closing her book because the light was gone. She turned to give him a bit of a surprised look. "Oh... did you want to sit out here? I can--"

"This is your fault!" Bakugo pointed at her accusingly.

"What?" Shine blanked.

"This!" Bakugo held up his phone. "I can't get this moron to answer me because you had to go and screw around with this class. This wouldn't even have started if not for you. I hate you!"

Shine was at an utter loss. "You hate me... because someone isn't answering your calls?" 

"No, idiot!" Bakugo said angrily, "I hate you for interfering. Who made it your business anyway? This stupid class doesn't need your help! You should just go back to whatever planet you came from!"

Shine choked on a laugh. "Wow... that's the first time someone's believed me and used it as an insult..."

Bakugo just scowled. "Shut up. It's not freaking funny."

"I'm sorry..." Shine sat up. "But I don't know what you're talking about, and you're making me nervous by yelling at me over it... Who's not calling you?"

"Nobody," Bakugo said.

"Then why the frick are you yelling at me?!" Shine thundered catching him off guard. He flinched.

"Yeah, it's not nice, is it?" she said, "Why don't you explain? Or go away, instead of telling me I should go... I'm not going anywhere just because you told me to, you know. Why should I listen to you? You're just being a brat."

"Shut the h--- up!" Bakugo shot back, "You're messing with all of us and our heads. You think I don't freaking see what you did about that recording? The others might be too stupid to get it, but I know you're playing all of us. Maybe I can't get rid of you, but I can make your life a living hell while you're here."

Shine stared at him. "So who did that to you?" she said.

Bakugo blinked. "What?"

"Who's making your life a living hell?" Shine asked.

"No one," Bakugo snapped, "and if someone was, it'd be your dumb a---!"

"Oh please, I barely know you," Shine said. Standing up now... she was a lot taller than him, so it made him angrier. "I could never make you that miserable. You're just blaming me because it's easier, because you think I can go away and the real cause of it can't. Is that right?"

Bakugo slowly started to go from angry to uneasy. "Shut up."

Shine softened her tone. "I'm sorry," she said, "for whatever it is... really. You seem unhappy. But you shouldn't take it out on me just because you think I'm an easy target. If you want to talk about it, I'll listen. I won't judge either... but I won't take your abuse. Live with it." She sat back down.

Bakugo stared at her. She met his gaze with a steady, unafraid one...

Bakugo suddenly just sank into a chair.

"Well, it is your fault," he said in a different voice, "I told someone about you."

"What?" Shine said.

"Not anyone who'll talk about it," Bakugo said a little defensively, "I'm not at snitch. Figured if it gets out, it's more trouble for us than you, anyway. That's how you planned it, probably."

Shine ignored that insult (or compliment) and just leaned in. Waiting.

"We had a fight, and now I can't get a hold of her," Bakugo grumbled, "If it wasn't for you messing with my freaking head, it wouldn't have happened."

"So... it's my fault you had a fight?" Shine said.

"Basically," Bakugo said.

"Wow... that's very childish," Shine said.

"The frick, you just said you weren't going to judge!" he snapped.

"I meant about the fight, not you blaming me for it," Shine said, "Anyone can have a fight, but a real man or woman owns up to it... Hmm... Did you feel guilty for talking about me to this ... girl, you said, right? Is that the problem?"

"Heck no!" Bakugo scoffed.

"I see, " Shine said, "but you are telling me about it. I don't get the feeling you'd tell too many people that... I must have done something to bring it about.... I can't think what.... Did something happen to you today?"

"It's nothing like that," Bakugo said, "Didn't you say that crap about problems...? Well, you caused this one."

Shine stared, then she laughed. To his annoyance. 

"I'm sorry... it's just... somehow that was just so you." She shook her head. "So, I caused you a problem, that you're telling me, because I said if you told me problem, I'd tell you more about our mission... Wow, you impress me, Bakugo, with how sly that was. You don't come off that way, but you're pretty clever."

Bakugo supposed she was making fun of him. "Frick you," he said.

Shine looked a little angry. "What was that for? I just gave you a compliment. What, do you have  a complex about that or something?"

"You're just looking down on me!" Bakugo said.

"Because if I praise you I'm looking down on you?" Shine replied, "Wow.... That reminds me... of how I used to be... Sheesh. Didn't expect that." She shook her head. "I used to bite people's heads off if they praised me too... It happened because I got criticized so much and belittled that I couldn't believe anyone really meant it anymore... Is that why you do it?"

"No," Bakugo said, not very convincingly, "I just don't need that sh---. People shouldn't think I care what they think."

"You strike me as someone who cares very deeply what people think," Shine said, "or else, you wouldn't flip out over being the best so often."

Bakugo glared at her. "Not the same thing."

"Isn't it?" Shine said, "I... well, I saw the Sports Festival... It was interesting."

Bakugo frowned. 

"You've come a long way," Shine mused, "or so it would seem. Wonder how you got that way to begin with... Well, if I need to know I'll find out. For now, why don't we talk about your problem that I caused. Tell me how I did it."

Bakugo explained to her in very pointed detail how "she" caused the problem.

"So, I forced you to call this person to figure stuff out with, because the class is too chicken," Shine said, "and because of that you had a falling out because of what I forced you to think about. I got to hand it to myself, I have a lot more power than I thought."

Bakugo didn't appreciate that remark.

"How you gonna make it right, b----h?"

"I said not to call me that," Shine said sharply.

"You were one to cause all this trouble!" Bakugo said.

"Take a look in the mirror sometime, kid," Shine shot back, "Do you know how much your friends overlook in you because they love you? We all have problems, you know."

Bakugo was stunned into silence.

"It is partly my fault though," Shine surprised him by saying, "I wound you up. I should have known this would happen. I'm sorry for pushing your buttons... Well, I'm not really sorry, but I am sorry it turned out this way... but, hey, this person sounds pretty nice. Why not just apologize?"

"I don't do that! And even if I was that kind of wimp, how can I apologize if they won't answer my d--- calls?" Bakugo said.

"I assume you tried saying you wanted to talk about that first..." Shine said.

Frown.

"What did you do? Send an emoji?" Shine asked.

"I didn't send anything," Bakugo snapped, "Just said 'stop being such a whiner'."

"Oh, well, with that approach, I'm amazed she could hold out," Shine said sarcastically.

Bakugo scowled at her again.

"Sorry," Shine said, "It was right there... Uh, listen, Bakugo. I think, and hear me out here, you really should just try saying you're sorry. It does wonders."

"I didn't do anything to be sorry over," Bakugo snapped.

"Maybe you didn't," Shine said resolutely, "but sometimes we have to be the bigger person, and I'm sure, you want to be the best at that too, don't you? You should try it."

He frowned.

"Look, I'll tell you what I'd tell myself and any other person I know," Shine said, "Not because I look down on you, got it? This is what I'd say: Is the person worth it?"

Bakugo slowly looked up.

"At some point, in life, we decide if other people are worth more than our own pride," Shine explained, "and then, if they are, we swallow it. But to be even more straight with you, if you decide your own pride is worth more than a friend, you don't deserve that friend. Or the ones you have. Because there's no real friendship built on only pleasing one person and their ego."

She regarded him critically. "Looking at you, I think you've been making that choice to serve your ego for a long time. And you're only just now finding out how lonely it is to be at the top because you never let anyone else get close enough to compete... in more ways than one. I'm sorry for you, Bakugo... because that used to be me. Honestly, who didn't it used to be, though? Welcome to the human race." She leaned back. "I hope that helped.... I don't think I can say anything else about it. You have to fix it, if you want to. Do you want to?"

Bakugo stared, then he got up and walked inside without another word. Shine smiled.