Mirko tapped her foot on the floor like Thumper again. She swore if Likstar didn't show up after all this, she was going to UA herself and beating her up.

The thing with Hawks puzzled her too. What was that about? He hadn't appeared since.

Some fans on the kitchen staff walked by her and took a picture. She forced herself to smile and nod, but she was not in the mood for paparazzi right now.

Likstar finally walked in the door, carrying a purse and looking just like a regular guest. It kind of seemed out of place.

"Nice, private location again." She eyed the window overlooking the city. "And so high..." She backed up.

"I'm not going to break it and throw you outside. Do you know the bill that would be?" Mirko said, "Anyway, it didn't work before. This is just so no one will hear us."

"Wow...you Pros get all the best dining locations," Shine said, sitting down across from her, "Sorry I'm a little late. Aizawa was late picking Eri up because of something in class, and then she gets a little anxious every time he's not there right on time, and I had to help."

"Glorified babysitter, that's your job, huh?" Mirko didn't really care, but she supposed playing nice might be useful.

"You're not the first one to say that...but, really, what's wrong with that? I love kids," Shine said, picking up a menu, "I assume you're paying, since you picked this location. I can't afford any of this... Well, I could, but I'm not paying that much for one meal."

"I don't really care. I'm not even going to order anything substantial," Mirko dismissed it.

"And waste this reservation?" Shine said.

"I didn't make one. They just let us eat here whenever we want-- Why are you so hung up on this?"

"I come from a poor family," Shine shrugged, "I mean, poor for middle class Americans, which means we had enough food, but we didn't eat out, we didn't go to Disneyland a lot, and I constantly worry about buying anything over $20.... Probably not poor by global standards, but we did lose our house, so..."

"Why are you telling me your life story?" Mirko said.

"That's not my life story. It's just a fact to explain why I think your attitude is a little oblivious," Shine said candidly.

"Hey, fyi, my family is not rich either," Mirko said, "I'm not saying it that way, but I worked hard for this salary, and I don't think that's a crime."

"It's not." Shine put the menu down. "I don't care if you're rich or not. I just meant...you invited me here like I was supposed to be able to afford it, without any explanation, like you assume I get paid enough for this. That doesn't sound a little arrogant to you?"

"I didn't put that much thought into it," Mirko said.

"I know," Shine replied.

A pause while her actual point sunk in.

"Well, forget it. Don't order, then. I just want that explanation you promised," Mirko said.

"Okay...but first, can I ask, what's your real name?" Shine asked.

"Rumi Usagiyama," Mirko said.

"Ah...um...okay, I'm never going to be able to pronounce that last one..." Shine said. "Can I use your first name...? Oh, perhaps I should explain-- in America, that's not rude."

"I know that! I've been there. Do you think I'm uncultured or something?" Mirko snapped, "And I really don't care what you call me. Just get to the point."

"I didn't mean that... The kids get uncomfortable with it, so I was just clarifying," Shine said, leaning on her hand, "And please call me Shine. I hate being called Likstar."

"Whatever."

"Anyway, it's doing you a favor not to mutilate your last name with my accent," Shine sighed.

"Your...accent? Why? It's flawless." Mirko didn't mean that as a compliment-- it was actually kind of weird.

"No...but I won't embarrass myself proving it to you. Anyway, what is it you wanted to know first? Remember, nothing about Hawks. Ask him yourself."

"Yeah, that'll happen..." Mirko muttered. It might, but she wasn't going to tell Shine that. "How about we start with how you know those murderous scum?"

"Well, since you have not turned me in yet, I guess you are at least trustworthy enough not to rush into things like that," Shine said, "Or you're just curious and don't want to lose your chance to know something other people don't... I'm leaning toward the latter. You are clearly impulsive."

"What? Hey!" Mirko began.

Shine shrugged. "I used to be too... Got into trouble for it a lot. Anyway...I know them because we met. Kind of by accident. But I guess you could say both of us left an impression. Do you really want the boring details? We talked, I ticked them off, they tried to kill me, I stopped them, and we called a truce."

"And you didn't just turn them in because...?"

"I can't. I have rules I have to follow, same as you. Don't ask me to explain. I won't."

Great...and beating it out of her probably wouldn't work. Mirko tugged her ear thoughtfully.

"You look like you're thinking about whether to punch me or not," Shine said.

Was she that transparent? Wow. Cool.

"Well, you're pissing me off," Mirko said, "but I'll hold off for a bit. What about what happened yesterday? How do you explain that?"

"That was a surprise, wasn't it?" Shine started laughing. "You should have seen the look on your face the whole time. You heroes take everything so seriously, no sense of humor at all, except Emi..."

"This is not funny!" Mirko slammed the table. "Stop acting like an imbecile and be straightforward!"

"You don't want to ask me to be straightforward, trust me," Shine said, "And you're very easy to provoke. I feel like nothing I say will not irritate you, so I might as well have some fun with it."

"What? Is this a game to you?" Mirko said.

"Uh huh..." Shine said, "And...how can I put this...? What did you call it? I'm just smurfing with you."

Mirko barely held herself back. She fumed silently for several minutes.

"You are a female Bakugo," Shine commented.

Well...Mirko didn't know the brat well enough to be sure that was an insult.

"You heard yourself what they decided," Shine said, "I feel like I should be smug right now, but I'm just thankful at this point. I didn't think it would turn out so well at first."

"But what could have made them change their minds? Villains don't do that," Mirko said.

"Your view of villains is criminally narrow, pun intended," Shine said.

"Solid pun," Mirko acknowledged.

"Thanks... Look the LOV has some kind of code. I don't really know what it is. But if they consider you an ally, there's rules."

"And they consider you an ally?" Mirko guessed, "Because...you didn't turn them in. And you saved that one jerk."

"Not too bad, Rumi," Shine said, "And now they owe me. At least they think so. I don't really care, but if it keeps us safe, I'm happy."

"And you are happy just letting them do what they do?" Mirko was disgusted. "At the very least, you could tell me where to find them."

"And send you to your death? I don't think so."

"I could handle it." 

"I've been at UA long enough to know talking a big game is very different from delivering on it," Shine said, "And I've met your type plenty of times. You really think you're invincible?"

"No...but I don't think the LOV have many powerful fighters, if you get past their numbers. They rely on tricks to get away from the Pros." Mirko tapped her fingers on the table. "And apparently, weak minded people who don't consider them villains."

Shine ignored that insult. "You're right, they aren't that powerful on their own, but together, they still haven't been caught...and I won't be the reason they are. But even if they were taken in, do you think they can't get out of prison?"

"Yes, I think that. All For One hasn't yet and neither has Stain," Mirko said.

"I can't speak for Stain, but AFO is only in prison because he wants to be," Shine said.

"And did they tell you that?" Mirko's ears went forward.

Shine shook her head. "Something tells me they don't fully know themselves what AFO wants. Though I suspect they know more than they've told me... But I've seen his type before."

She gripped a piece of silverware too tightly. "More than once...and that thing on TV, with All Might? It was so clearly staged... I can't say if his capture was intentional or not. But I know a deliberate provocation when I see one. I do it myself sometimes. All For One had every chance to escape, and he chose to end All Might instead. You don't see a problem there?"

Mirko hadn't thought of it that way... No one had said it at any of the meetings she'd been at either, but it sounded plausible.

"Well, okay then...say you're right. He's still in prison, with quirk-blocking tech. He'll never get out."

"Because we don't know anyone who might be able to get past that," Shine said, "or anyone who might be a spy on the Pros side who could stage an escape? Whenever I hear someone say something is impossible, I assume it isn't, when it comes to matters of man. The only thing that is truly impossible in this case is certainty, as long as he's alive. And why is he alive? The man should be killed."

"That's not your call," Mirko said.

"And that is why I did not kill him," Shine said casually, "I don't kill. I guess I have that in common with Pros."

[...Manga content is not canon here...]

Mirko shrugged. "Well, you could take your theory to someone at UA."

"You think I wouldn't if I could? They don't trust me," Shine said, "and I've spoken to the LOV about it myself, and they don't seem to really know either, as I said. But if I draw the attention of more people who might not want this to get out...that's a problem. All For One will escape prison, Rumi. Mark my words. Or he'll do something worse. And neither you nor any other top hero will be able to do a thing to stop it."

Mirko's ears went back. "Why do you sound so sure of that? We're not pushovers."

"Because you all think the same," Shine waved, "and AFO most certainly will know that. He'll play you all like kazoos and then toss you out in the trash once he's done. And probably his own subordinates too. Evil dictators never do like to keep around the people who know their weaknesses. I'd tell Shigaraki that, but he'd throw a fit. The guy's convinced AFO is the only person who cares about him."

Mirko made a face. "Ew...who'd believe that?"

"Someone with no other options..." Shine leaned on her hand. "You ever wonder what made him so desperate?"

"No, I don't spend time wondering why villains do things. That just leads to weakness," Mirko said, "You fight them, you win. End of story."

"Sounds like what a tyrant or barbarian would say, doesn't it?" Shine said, "Are you really that narrow?"

"Why should I care? They're monsters," Mirko said, "They tried to kill you too. Why are you so involved? Are you a masochist?"

Shine frowned. "Call me that again, and I'll knock you into the wall and see how you like it."

Mirko blinked. "What?"

"Exactly." Shine sat up straighter. "You should stop saying things like that. It sounds pathetically simple when you do. I feel like you lose 5 respect points in my mind every time."

Mirko glared at her. "Watch it."

"I'm sorry, but if threats like that worked on me, I wouldn't work with Bakugo," Shine said coolly, "Now, to get back to your very rude question: Not everyone who tries to kill you is a monster. But you're right about them. They are terrible...and sadistic."

"And...?" Mirko waited for the stupid reason behind her actions.

"I guess I am crazy, then." Shine took a sip of water. "I mean, we all know...that's all there is to them, right?"

Mirko rolled her eyes. "And what else do you think there is?"

"Ah, now that's an actual good question." Shine set down her cup. "I know a bit of some of their stories... All of them feel hero society failed them when they needed it most...and that regular people who worship heroes are part of the problem... Shigaraki went off about it a few times. The sad thing is, I agreed with most of what he said-- and Dabi too. They carry it too far...but Pros carry their ideas too far too. I think you're all kind of the same."

"That's crossing a line." Mirko scowled at her darkly.

"Is it?" Shine said, "I don't think there is a line. I think people are just people-- villains, pros, there's no difference, except personal ones. I've heard stuff... Look, I've explained this to many people by now, and no one has accepted it. I don't expect you to be any different."

That last line kind of got under Mirko's skin. "And why not?" she said, "Because you think I'm dense?"

"Well, yes," Shine shrugged, "and you're a hero...and heroes aren't allowed to think for themselves."

"I think for myself!" Mirko declared, "And if you actually had a good point, I'd..." She paused.

"You'd do what? Join me?" Shine mocked her, "Decide the Pros were wrong? Come on, Rumi, even if I gave you irrefutable proof there was good in the LOV, you wouldn't change your mind about them."

"What makes you so sure of that?" Mirko was mad. 

"Because I already did," Shine said coolly, taking another sip.

Mirko gave her a weird look.

Shine smiled smugly. "I told you that Dabi warned me, didn't I? He also pulled a hero student, one of the people he hates, out of danger, only because he promised me not to hurt them, and he felt bad...and in his own, strange, twisted way, he does care about that. He doesn't know what it means to really do good, but given his background, that's not so surprising. What is surprising is he changed just a little because I was kind to him. If that doesn't give you pause, you're an idiot." She took a third sip.

Mirko had now been trapped, as the UA students could have warned her she would be. Shine never made a point she couldn't back up.

She tried to think of a way out of what was said...but there really wasn't one that wouldn't sound idiotic.

"If that's true, why doesn't he switch sides?" she finally said.

"Oh, and you'd be so nice to him if he did," Shine said.

"And why should anyone be nice to a villain who kills Pros?" Mirko shot back.

"That is exactly why he won't switch sides. Who doesn't prefer freedom to merciless persecution?" Shine said, "He's trapped. Many villains don't like being what they are, but there is no way out for them, in their minds. They prefer to be free at least. It takes a lot to make someone feel enough remorse to not care about what happens to them anymore." She shrugged. "And what do you know about it, Rumi? Have you ever made a mistake you wanted to correct but you knew it would be hard?"

"No," Mirko gestured flippantly, "I live without regrets. I don't try to correct mistakes, I just move on."

"I see," Shine said, "Then you truly are beyond human. I guess I can't talk to you about this, then... I know I have made mistakes... I was forgiven for them though. I was blessed to be around a community that promotes that idea...yet, people close to me didn't forgive me. And to this day, I can't do anything right with them. I know every bit of how crushing that is. At least they can't arrest me and send me to prison to be manhandled over it...but if they could, I don't know if I'd want to put myself in that position either. I've been in jail before (by villains), and that was horrible."

"I'm sure that's sad and all, but villains deserve it," Mirko said, "You think killing people should go unpunished."

"No...but I have more than one way to deal with it," Shine said, "My way has changed lives more than yours has. We can punish them using the law, and that's fine...for some. But if someone is willing to abandon their ways, why punish them? Why should people suffer for crimes they are no longer willing to commit? Punishment is useless to a repentant person. It only crushes their will to do any better. I punish, sure--when people refuse to turn back. I don't try to stop that. But when I see a glimmer of regret...I know it works far better for someone to change their heart than to be disciplined from the outside. Have you ever tried it?"

"No." Mirko thought this was crazy talk.

"I thought not." Shine got up. "This has been lovely and all, but it's making me angry just listening to you."

"You listening to me?! You're the one who's been going for for half an hour about how villains aren't so bad, and I haven't punched you yet!" Mirko stood up too.

"And that's some kind of favor?" Shine said, "You still haven't even apologized for hanging me off a roof!"

"Why would I apologize for that? You were being difficult!" Mirko shot back.

"Difficult? Right..." Shine rolled her eyes. "Well, you know I'm right, and I know it, and you're just close minded and self absorbed--and selfish, I might add. Great no#5 hero material there. Sorry if I lectured you. So much for answers." She stormed out of the room.

Mirko glared, then she dashed after her. "No you don't! You don't just get to walk away this time!"

"Watch me." Shine was already at the elevator.

Mirko kicked the doors open and jumped in after her. They clicked back shut. 

Silence.

"And what was the point of that?" Shine said.

"Shut up, before I deck you." Mirko made a fist.

They got to the bottom floor with no further conversation, then Shine stalked out of the restaurant and Mirko followed, then bounded ahead of her because she was too slow. They just walked in silence until they had gotten farther away from the densely peopled streets.

Shine sighed. "Is there a reason you're following me?"

"It took me this long to calm down enough not to smack you," Mirko said flatly.

"Oh, gee, thanks," Shine said.

"Shut up." Mirko stretched her arms. "All right, I've been thinking about it, and you're easily the most disrespectful person I've ever met."

"Heard that one before."

"Shut up!...I admit though, I am a little intrigued. Most people don't have the gall to talk to me that way." Mirko shrugged. "I'd like to see if your experiment goes anywhere."

"What?" Shine said.

"You're so sure you're right. I'm sure you're wrong. The only way to see is to let it play out." Mirko tilted her head. "For now, you're not helping the LOV do anything, and I can't drag you in without proof. So I've decided to just forget about all of this officially."

"Really?" Shine looked up. 

"Yeah, I might as well. I'm too busy to be distracted by this anymore." Mirko shrugged. Then she faced Shine. "But if and when those criminals contact you again, I want to hear about it."

"And why should I trust you?" Shine said.

"Because I'm letting you go. That is how you work, isn't it?" Mirko said, raising an eyebrow.

Shine laughed. "Oh...wow...okay...Well," she tapped her chin, "I don't promise I'll give you info on them, but I'll let you know. Might be good to have back up anyway...but in exchange, I want something from you too."

"My silence isn't enough?"

"I don't gain anything by your silence if you have no proof anyway," Shine pointed out, "But all I want is a chance to talk more. I want to learn more about Pros, firsthand, if I'm going to understand...and it's the one thing I haven't been able to observe in person all that much."

Mirko considered, then she nodded. "Fine. But don't slow me down."

Then she added, "Why do you want to talk to me though? I'm not nice to you."

"That you realize that is actually kind of sad," Shine said, "But I don't care... Well, I do care, but I still think you're interesting. Better you than the UA staff. I can't stand them."

"That makes two of us. They're awful aren't they?" Mirko rolled her eyes. "Think they're better than everyone."

"Oh sure, who can stand people like that...?" Shine said pointedly.

Mirko flipped her off.

Shine laughed again. "Sorry...well...I'll see you later, then... Watch your step though. I'm not sure if they will target you because you were involved or not. If I find out, I'll let you know."

"Don't worry about me. I'd like to see them try," Mirko said...though secretly that idea was kind of unnerving. At least after seeing that Nomu's power.

Shine walked away. She didn't go back to UA right off though. She spent quite a bit of time walking through a park, enjoying the lack of snow, and window shopping. She didn't feel nervous about being alone anymore; she no longer thought someone was going to attack her. Plus, she got the chance to see different people. To talk to them.

[ A bit shorter, but the next part will be longer, and also the last one before the next arc, and that one is going to be even more intense than this one was.

There may be some tears shed.]