Assassin Among Heroes 36

One time when I was in elementary school, Mom took me to a food stall market that popped up near her office. There were all sorts of crazy food items, not just from Japan, but from all over the world. Greek wraps, lasagnas, curry dishes, and even oversized deep-fried American food are the kind that makes your poor stomach wail in sheer agony by the mere sight of all that oil and fat. In short, food paradise for a kid like myself. Heh, I remember Mom dragging me away from the king-sized plate of waffles topped with deep-fried Oreos and five different kinds of syrup. Instead, she took me to a liquid nitrogen ice cream stand. The vendor called it ‘the coldest ice cream this side of the Antarctic’ and that he used a ‘special’ liquid nitro formula. It looked so cool, with the nitrogen steaming out of the vat as he poured it into the bowl of cream and handed me a four-scoop ice cream. I gobbled up a single scoop in one go…and my brain dropped to subzero.

The whole world seemed to go mute, even with my developing Quirk, and everything grew hazy. I thought even the blood inside my body froze. I finished the ice cream of course, but I actually had to sit down for a minute and wait for the brain freeze to pass. I still regret nothing, even if Mom patted my head patronisingly.

Why am I talking about liquid nitrogen ice cream?

Because as I sit in my chair and stare at a glowing computer screen, that brain freeze is the closest thing that equates to what I’m feeling right now.

Or a fever dream. Or one of my visions. Do they count as the same thing?

I almost bite my lip just to force myself to keep scrolling down the page. Every comment seemed to throw me into an emotional loop like those pregnant women on streaming dramas. 

‘‘Twas thy decision to peruse through these forums, contractor.’

‘And you supported it wholeheartedly,’ I mentally bit out. ‘Information is power, just…let me get a handle on myself, okay?”

‘Why? These are but words, but grains of sand dancing in the zephyr. They will only become a sandstorm if thou choose to regard them as such.’

I know, I know, sticks and stones, I’ve heard it before but…it’s not exactly that.

Guess this is what I get for caving in and finally diving into those forums.

HeroTalk, QuirkChat, CapeNCowl where I found Shadow Gear, and even that old website that survived the Great Crash, PHO. Typing in ‘Shinigami’ into the search bar of any of those prompted a deluge of threads and mod pins. I clicked on one of the biggest ones - it had an active mod presence so it had some regulation - but even then I was left floored.

Psonitec: How many do you think he’s killed? The police aren’t saying anything.

Yo-MA_MA-sha: He’s going down. KICK HIS ASS GANG ORCA!

LoLHandMaster: Cheat codes should die!

CarTalent52: My uncle robbed a bank a month ago but went straight. I call him everyday to make sure Shinigami didn’t shank him on his way to work.

Reptron: You sure you wanna post that? Now he’ll know where to look!

Eyew@tch303: Reply to Yo-MA_MA-sha: The heroes can’t do shit. How long has he been active? How many people have died so far? Also, traitor. Off the team for a week.

KyuRushGirl: Won’t lie, I thought it was cool at first, but a lot of people in my neighborhood are becoming afraid to go out at night. My little brother asked me if he could sleep in my room because his friends told him they spoke to Shinigami and said he was a bad friend, so he would kill him. Why can’t the heroes capture him already? Or the cops? This can’t keep happening.

KitYoung: Shit that’s messed up. ALL MIGHT beat the shit out of this creep!

Ref_R_E: He should leave this to the heroes. Domino was trash yes, but he could have called the heroes or even the police. Instead he not only took justice into his own hands, but also killed that man so brutally I’m shocked people still watch it. To everyone who tries to defend him, what if he one day decides that a hero like Manual, who is totally clean and legitimate, deserves to die for some unknown reason? Or decides to kill some random schoolkid for calling people names like @KyuRushGirl said? What’s stopping him from going after your families and executing them without fair judgment? You support him today, but tomorrow he might put them in the obituaries.

smallMight3: I agree. If anyone has any information about him they should go to the police or the nearest hero agency. We need to come together to help bring this vigilante down.

PrideNJoi: Agree to everything but @SmallMight3 you really need to stop sounding like a narc, this is a free space.

zxcl: True dat. But yeah Shinigami needs a SMASH to that skull mask and a vacay on Tartarus. He’s no better than the Hero Killer.

The hate comments are…irritating, I won’t deny that. None of them understand, how could they? These weren’t even hero students like Jirou’s class, this is how everyone was raised. Heroes are perfect, they strive for goodness, All Might is at the top and killing is wrong. I was bracing myself for these so the blow is lessened somewhat.

The surprise comes on the other side of the hate spectrum.

OVRaptor: These weren’t pickpockets or jaywalkers. They got what was coming to them.

Vendread_Slayer: Crime’s actually been down in my neighborhood since that video popped up. He’s scaring everyone away. The cops are posturing now because they don’t wanna look even more incompetent.

miKanK0: About time we had someone who saw what had to be done. Too many villains and heroes play at it like the world is their circus. Shinigami showed them the consequences.

SBK: First the criminals, then the fake heroes, hope to hell that crooked politicians and CEOs are next. Finally, someone’s stepping up to do what the rest of us were praying for.

FiendSequentia (Banned): One of my neighbors is beating up his wife, and the police don’t believe her. Shinigami, if ur seeing this, they live at <<spoiler>>

EnDmYn (Moderator): No posting RL info @FiendSequentia, have a ban.

SE-Poplar: There’s no way the heroes would’ve investigated one of their own and the HPSC is too far up their asses to care. Someone had to do it, even if it meant kicking and screaming.

DaatMetaXII: My head hurts every time I look at that photo. What kind of quirk does that? It can’t be normal. How does fire even work like that, some kind of support gear? Still cool tho.

BWBora: Giving you guys an exclusive: you know the child-trafficking ring that was busted months ago? I’d bet my money that it was him who called the cops after he was done with the place. He took care of business and saved those kids while the law did squat.

AZAMINA: People are scared that one day they’ll find their favorite hero is on the news because of some messed-up habit they do, maybe even worse than Domino. Who knows what kind of f***ed-up shit the heroes are hiding from us?

DespiaBRA: @AZAMINA is right. If Shinigami doesn’t expose those fraudsters, no one will. If Domino was still alive, he’d just be forced to retire with a fat brown envelope to keep him quiet. World’s better off without him. Go Shinigami! Take em out!

I never expected praise. Not in our society. I’m not blind to what I do. Maybe a few fringe wackos who spout conspiracy theories or those annoying threadposters who want to hop on the hype train to market their shit, but nothing like this. 

…how many pages are there of this?

…200 - wait, 250!? And this is just one thread! Of every side! 

I drag my hand down my face and inhale deeply. Vs. debates, political shit, memes…So many. 

Just. So. Many. 

That Midoriya kid was underselling it! 

I shake my head and force myself to keep viewing. Where do I even go from here? This was just a random discussion thread! 

‘A stone cast in rolling water will still send ripples. Cast enough stones, and the ripples will break through the waves. ‘Twas inevitable that thy actions would garner the attention of the masses. Mine order was far from exempt, as thou know well. What remains for thee is what dost thou intend to do about it.’

‘Unlike the Hashashin, I do not have any kind of religious or financial backing, nor did they have the reach the internet does!’ I snipe back. I might’ve minded my tone earlier, but my course of action was bouncing off the curves of my skull too much for me to correct myself. I grimace and tap the desk as I scroll my way past some stupid memes - come on, if you’re going this far, can’t you at least put in a little more effort than a copypasta of the latest Mt. Lady shitpost?

‘When it comes down to it…what can I do with all this…fame? Infamy?’ I ask rhetorically and move to another thread. ‘The whole method you taught me was to avoid attention, not accumulate it. If I react publicly to this, I’ll have a ton more to deal with than just heroes and cops. I could use a site like a request hall - nope, I have no way of verifying what’s real, a troll or a trap, not to mention the risk of government hackers tracing me through my activity on the site.’

‘Thou art avoiding the question, contractor. Is this related to thy ineptness at socialization?’

I’m not avoiding it! I just…don’t think a lot needs to change beyond right now! I have Dabi as an informant, unwilling drunk criminals who spill everything over wine, what else could I need? And what does he mean by ineptness!? I’m perfectly capable of being social! I interacted with three people closely over the past couple of weeks! Three! That’s a landmark! 

‘After a period of more than ten years, then yes. Truly, a paragon of social etiquette.’

…low blow, Mawla. You did not have to go there.

I grumble and settle - not sulk, I don’t sulk! - in my seat. ‘Aren’t we veering off track?’

‘Nay, but I shall humor thee. Thou did raise a concerning point in thy earlier excuse: thou hast no way to discern truth from lies in this sea of endless messages. Regarding the authorities’ attempting to track thee, did I not raise a similar concern when thou wished to acquire thy gear for the first time?’

‘You mean Shadow Gear? That was different, it wasn’t the full force of the government coming after me, it was one costume vendor…with a big clientele who was trying to intimidate me. And he was able to pinpoint the ward I live in, even with the TOR server and VPN I put up. Imagine what a proper government cyber-squad can do. I can’t imagine it’s anything timid.’

Mawla hummed. ‘Nonetheless, there is a chance of useful information hidden within this trove of words. What can thou divine, right now, from what thou hast read so far?’

‘Well…’ I reply and return to that thread. ‘If I had to take one thing from this mess…this Vendread_Slayer said something we saw on our excursion with Shiki. The cops are getting active, and with them, the heroes, and they’re scouring my known hangouts, if one could even call them that.’

All of the places where they have my confirmed kills. Not just the resident neighborhood, but the surrounding blocks. They even covered a whole Ward; no prizes for guessing which one.

‘They must’ve figured out that Hosu is where I made my early kills,’ I continue. ‘They don’t know where I am, so they’re hoping I’ll come back to one of these places for some reason, or maybe they’ve guessed that my hideout is in one of the Wards.’ I click my tongue and rub my chin. ‘This will be troublesome. I’d rather avoid confrontation, especially in Hosu. Half of my gear and my whole cash supply is stashed there, and I want to keep the hideout and the lab separate. Eggs and baskets, y’know? With the heroes hanging around and not just that low-ranker Manual, the chances of them spotting me in some manner is higher than before.’

I hear Mawla about to reply but I hurriedly interject. ‘It’s not that I don’t have in your teachings Mawla, but I’d really like to control when I take risks. Also, Concealment isn’t foolproof. Dabi and the priest managed to find ways to spot me - Shiki doesn’t count - and I’m worried the heroes might try something drastic to flush me out that I won’t be able to avoid.’

‘Risk is always present in our path, but confrontation when enemy forces assemble their strength should be avoided. As for thy Concealment, thou must find measures to correct the flaws thou hast pointed out.’

‘Guess we’ll need more training?’

‘Yes, at the regular amnush chamber. Consider it an exercise in awareness,’ I move to protest but he continues. ‘Training only, no targets or scouting. Maintaining shape and skill while in enemy territory is a lesson I have yet to impart in full.’

I hum. ‘Good to know. But until then, I need to pursue a new target. Fortunately, Dabi was able to squirrel some intel for me from the lab raid.’

I pull the yakuza thug’s phone from my bag and my work phone from my pocket. ‘It took a bit of digging, but we managed to find a lead to where they’re making the Trigger. He sent me the address of a potential lead, so let’s see where I need to sally forth, shall we?’

I enter a maps site and enter the address. The page loads up, I sit back and -

Huh.

I stare at the map on the screen. Did I make a typo?

Nope, the same address. Hm, maybe a more general search…

…nothing changes.

‘What is thy concern, contractor?’

After a minute or two of staring, I muster a reply. ‘This…might be problematic.’

‘Is this new location beyond thy means of infiltration?’

‘Not in of itself,’ I scroll and zoom out. ‘This address? It’s in Shizuoka. As in, not Tokyo. As in, a fair distance from Tokyo.’

‘...expand.’

‘Well, it takes about 40 minutes to get there by bullet train, so it’s not that big of a stretch. Tickets are a little pricey, but the new cash supply solves that issue. The thing I’m worried about is if Mom notices that I’m returning home later than usual; I think she’s watching me closer than before.’

‘Hm, I do not fault her reasoning why, but that might incur a problem.’

‘Not just that,’ I dial the growl of frustration back. I’ve never been to Shizuoka once in my life. That means I’ll have to do more extensive recon work and surveillance before the assassination. The tricky parts will be school and Mom. I can’t skip school, Makoto-sensei will have my sorry hide, and I need to find a convenient excuse for Mom. I could still make it, provided I knew Mom’s schedule…an hour isn’t that far off.

‘Ugh…my poor brain!’ I mentally scream and clutch my head. ‘Come on, there’s gotta be a better way to do this!’

‘I concur that thy situation is far from ideal,’ says Mawla with a hint of frustration seeping through his echoing voice. ‘But it must be done. If thou desire to avoid confrontation with the heroes, thou must seek quarry elsewhere, with all the risks such an act would entail. One desert or another, thy fate hangs in the balance. Alternatively, thou could choose to remain silent…’

‘...but we both know I can’t do that,’ I finish. I scoff at both the remark and the situation. I’ve dealt with drug traffickers at the beginning of my journey, but lately, they kinda fell to the wayside considering the new scumbags I’ve offed. Peddling powder doesn’t sound nearly as serious as child trafficking and zombie experimentation. ‘Still, they’re killing people to sell their product, and if what Dabi says about Trigger is true, then this could get a whole lot worse. Looks like we’ll be taking field trips for the next few days.’

‘And if thou raise suspicions in thy madar?’

‘...if worst comes to worst, I’ll make up an excuse. That’s why I’ll need to be careful with the timing of this whole situation.’ I rise from my chair and crick my spine. ‘I should take a break for now. Might help me with figuring out a better solution.’

‘Hrm…as thou wish, contractor.’ With those words, he fell silent.

I sigh and retrieve a piece of paper from my desk. As much as I hate it, this is the hand I’ve been dealt. I could either fold or play it the best I could. I’ll have a contingency, but this task needs to be clockwork; that means I need to know exactly what I’m doing and when I’m doing it. No room for error, at least until the inevitable fuck-up happens.

‘Alright, Shizuoka, let’s see what hides in yonder fair streets…yeesh, I must be exhausted; that sounded cornier than usual.’

-x-

“Alright, simmer down everyone.” Makoto-sensei clapped after we’d greeted her, the smile on her face showing nary a hint of her middle age. Her short hair’s cut just below her ears and she rolled up her striped black-and-blue sweater to the elbows. Sensei, I have nothing but the utmost respect for you, but couldn’t you wear something that doesn’t make you sweat like in an onsen? Unless it doesn’t and then…well, I tip my hat to you.

“Your trimester final exams are happening in a few weeks, so we’re going to cover the last stretch of material. I know that a few weeks seems like a lot, but some of you,” she stressed, not glaring at anyone specific. The ones who knew…knew. “Need that extra time. So make sure you pluck the headphone lint out of your ears and pay attention.”

She turns to the whiteboard and begins writing. “We’re going to start a little differently today. Can anyone who’s watched the news recently tell me about the Addendum to the Public Quirk Safety Act?”

No one replies, even as they look around and murmur. I just stare at her writing, but I share their confusion. After a few moments, she sighs and crosses her arms. “Do any of you keep up with the news?”

A boy raises his hand, but she cuts him off. “If it’s another hero beating up a villain or releasing a new toy line, then I don’t care.” He lowers his hand quickly, looking abashed.

Makoto-sensei shakes her head. “You kids aren’t going to learn anything if you keep sticking your heads in the sand. History isn’t just what happened fifty or more years ago, it happens before your eyes. If you close them to the world, you will never see it.” 

And that is why she’s my favorite teacher. Er, in school! Have mercy, Mawla!

“The Public Quirk Safety Act is essentially what it says on the tin; the main law that restricts all public Quirk usage. Since the end of the Quirk Turmoil, this law was put into place to prevent such dreadful times from happening again. The act states that only ‘approved professions and individuals’ are allowed permission to use their Quirks in public or for their work. When the Rhode Island model was implemented in this country, the profession of ‘pro hero’ was given full access to Quirk usage. The combination of these two, the Safety Act and Heroics, saw a drastic drop in crime and allowed economic reforms that helped rebuild Japan after years and years of civil unrest. To properly enforce and maintain this new peace, as well as help foster trust between Quirks and the public, a new government agency was formed, and this act was their first move on the newfound political landscape.”

She takes the marker and writes out an English acronym in big, black letters:

HPSC.

“Can anyone tell me what that stands for?”

This time, everyone replies. “Hero Public Safety Commission.” You’d have to be a caveman to not know those letters.

“Correct. An agency whose sole duty is to maintain the balance between the paranormal, as it was once called, and the public. Once the act was passed the HPSC, with the aid of the newfound heroes, began to truly spread their presence. As I previously stated, crime dropped, towns that were once abandoned thanks to Quirk-using gangsters and wannabe warlords were made liveable thanks to the HPSC coordinating with heroes and local public officials, and the very usage of Quirks, which were considered something worthy of a witch hunt, was slowly accepted by the masses. In time, the HPSC’s track record in reestablishing order and promoting cooperation prompted the Japanese government to place further trust in them and endow them with further powers and responsibilities.” She turns to the class again. “Does anyone know other examples?”

From there, hands sprout up and Makoto-sensei lets my classmates answer one by one.

“They oversee heroes!” says Hayato Tenshi, his tiny white wings flitting from behind his ears.

“Yes, they ensure all heroes are tested and receive proper licensing, I already said that.” She scribbles ‘Quirk License management’ on the board. “What else?”

“I heard from my grandma that they stopped an anti-mutant law from being passed,” says Rin Okumura, a blue-haired boy with horns sprouting from his skull and a fang sticking out of his mouth.

“That’s right, any bill or act regarding Quirks is sent to them for review, and should the bill prove discriminatory, it is immediately struck down,” she says and writes down ‘overviews potential anti-Quirk laws.’

“But there are still groups like the Creature Rejection Clan,” Medaka Kurokami points out, playing with a lock of her spiky purple hair. I see those hours on the Debate Team pay off. Yes, I don’t completely tune out what goes on in class, is that too much of a surprise? “Why hasn’t the HPSC cracked down on them yet?”

“Excellent question, Kurokami-san, and the reason is that they have. It was one of the biggest organized raids that the HPSC coordinated between the pro heroes and the police, alongside the Meta Liberation Army raid and the Great Yakuza Raids. The CRC was active in countryside areas like Kansai, but thanks to their efforts, the ones you see on the news are fringe remnants that can only scream and picket because they have nothing else to do with their lives.” She scrunches her brow in distaste as she keeps talking. “I won’t deny that mutant-types have it…rough, in some areas of Japan, but there isn’t any organized discrimination against them anymore.”

Rin frowns and drums his fingers on his desk. “Dad told me how he’s seen mutant-types getting blocked from restaurants and shops. It doesn’t happen a lot, but it pisses him off somethin’ fierce.”

…that kind of shit still happens, huh? Come to think of it, there were times I heard nasty whispers. The odd sneer and disdainful huff. That’s…eugh, talk about finding sour milk in your bowl.

Makoto-sensei frowns at Rin, but not with disapproval. “I’m sorry your father had to hear that. You’re absolutely right; this sort of thinking shouldn’t exist anymore. Unfortunately, as humans, we always find an excuse to discriminate. So don’t be total dumbasses by acting like them, okay?”

Chuckles rise from a few people, but it’s a message we all understand. 

“They send heroes to help other countries?”

“Hm, yes, but it’s usually upon request from the World Heroes Association. They do provide international Quirk licenses in such cases, much like an international driving license.”

“Giving heroes money?”

“Eh, they fund starting agencies and provide temporary staff members, if that’s what you mean.”

More kids shout out answers and Makoto-sensei writes them all down until the board is filled with lines and snippets of what they said. Another thing I like about her lessons: she writes very organized. 

“All of these,” she says and turns to us. “Fill the scope of what the HPSC does. It forms the bridge between heroes, quirks, and the people they serve.” 

That’s all fine and dandy, but…”Sensei, what is this new Addendum you mentioned before?” I ask.

Makoto-sensei turns to me and blinks. “Thank you, Ogawa-san, I was just getting to that.” She clears her throat and continues. “To further enforce this newfound piece, more laws were passed by the government to better regulate Quirk use and to defuse any possible tensions with the public. This addendum is the latest in a long line of corrections and revisions that the government ordered the HPSC to enforce. Now, I know what you’re all thinking: what’s so special about this one?” She pauses as if it was a dramatic turn in a play. “It is considered by some members of the Diet and independent critics to not only be one of the more harsh measures the HPSC has taken against public Quirk usage over the years but also the latest in a series of actions that the HPSC itself has suggested the government take.”

I scratch my chin as everyone looks at her. Where is she going with this?

“To be clear, a government agency cannot pass laws. All laws are passed by the Cabinet and undergo a thorough examination by the National Diet. However, ever since Quirks became a part of everyday life, with everything that it entails, from the good to the bad, the HPSC has been allowed to consult the Cabinet and the Diet thanks to its expertise in managing such affairs. This has given rise to rumors that the HPSC is actively passing their own laws through the Prime Minister and the Diet and that the HPSC has been abusing that to impose further restrictions or Quirk use.” Makoto-sensei then starts to write in a big open space on the board, surrounded by my classmates’ quotes. “This new addendum increases the penalty of unlicensed Quirk usage should it result in the injury or potential injury of another person, to a minimum fine of 1.8 million yen or a minimum imprisonment of three years, in addition to having your name placed in the Villain Registry as a D-rank.”

The wheeze that comes out of my mouth is shared by a few others. Villain registration and prison? Over a potential injury? What the fuck!? Just one of those gets you screwed over for life! 

Makoto-sensei chuckles mirthlessly. “Believe me, kids, I don’t exactly agree with this either. If what I heard is true, there are even talks about allowing the punishment to land in some cases for minors like yourself. Thankfully, this bill is only in the planning stages and hasn’t been cleared by the Diet.” I heard the unspoken yet in that sentence. Still, this much punishment for using a Quirk? Psychos and serial killers are one thing, but this sounds way beyond that! Is all the money the feds are smoking with cigarettes up in their towers laced with coke!?

…wait. Where did I hear this before?

“Um, sensei?” I ask and raise my hand. “Is that the new act that was discussed on TV a couple of days ago? There was a big interview about it.”

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow before she understands. “Yes, are you talking about the interview with Hanabata-san?”

“Yeah, my Mom watched it in the living room while I was with her.”

“Good to hear that.” She turns and addresses the rest of the class. “Koku Hanabata is an up-and-rising politician who’s been rather vocal on the restrictions of Quirk usage. He gave an interview recently on the major stations and he discussed this act and the potential ramifications it could bring.”

“Sensei, isn’t this a little extreme?” asks Junpei Takada, the bags under his eyes flattening. “I mean, villains are one thing, but this sounds more than that.”

“Maybe, but do try to remember that the government has reasons for suggesting such a bill. One moment…” Our teacher pulls down the sliding screen above the blackboard and switches on the projector. The desktop soon appears, that kitschy picture of Mt. Fuji as the wallpaper, and she opens up a browser page full of tabs. Huh, she came prepared. “Rampant Quirk usage has climbed dramatically in recent years, and a not-minor section of the public feel that the heroes and HPSC aren’t doing enough.”

She clicks on a tab and an article with Yoroi Musha corralling a gang of acid-spewing villains. The next tab over shows a half-shaven man raising his arms as he’s surrounded by a cloud of dust and in front of a burning building, with the headline DUST EXPLOSION QUIRK INJURES TWELVE! Another tab shows a pro hero with a funny cape - Slidin’ Go, the article says - standing next to a police car, and they’re both in front of a school building. Inside the passenger seat, I see a kid, around 3 years younger than me, with a swollen eye and a dead expression.

“I’ve done a little research of my own, going through forums, newspapers and an old friend of mine, and more cases of people abusing their Quirks, be it flaunting them in public or using them to commit crimes, are appearing.” Connections? Oh, sensei, is there something you want to tell your impressionable students?  “More than that, Quirks are becoming even more potent and dangerous by the year. If you go into playgrounds or listen to your younger siblings, if you have any, and ask them what Quirks their classmates have. Chances are you’ll find three or four Quirks that can’t be solved by a timeout from the teacher.”

Hushed voices break out as students look at each other. “You think that’s true?” someone whispers behind me.

“...sensei’s got no reason to lie like this,” I whisper back.

“These facts aren’t hidden by government censorship; they’re all out there if you’re willing to look, and more than one has. It leads to them asking: ‘What happens when these kids grow up?’ or, ‘What if one of them becomes a villain?’ People are afraid, and they look to heroes to help them. For all they know, their neighbors might one day use their Quirks to destroy their homes. The same sentiment fueled the Quirk Turmoil, and the government wanted to assuage people of their fears. Enabling heroes the near-sole right to utilize Quirks limits the chances of all-out brawling in the streets, which can lead to damaged infrastructure and loss of life - total pandemonium, in short.”

She sighs again, but her sympathy is clear. “It might seem unfair, but that’s the status quo the people have decided to establish.”

Something that everyone has that only a certain type of people can use…why is that so familiar? I swear. It’s right on - oh.

“Samurai.”

Makoto-sensei turns to me, and so do my surrounding classmates. “The samurai of old were the only ones allowed to carry swords. Anyone else who was caught with a sword would be executed. When the samurai died, it became the police. The swords were replaced with guns.” I snort as the picture snaps in my head. “Heroes are samurai and Quirks are swords.”

Cycles upon cycles, eh?

‘Control, contractor. It was, is, and always will be about control.’

“...that’s…not an inaccurate analogy, Ogawa-san, but heroes, unlike samurai, do answer to the government and the HPSC. Checks and balances like the Quirk Force Management Law, which you learned last year, exist. A hero is granted a privilege few possess, but they must carry that privilege with honor and responsibility. Any hero who is proven to abuse that privilege is severely punished. I’m sure all of you can name one hero in recent times that fits into such a category.”

Of course I do. Domino didn’t even deserve to flex his fucking pinkie after what he did, but people only found out about it after I killed him.

“The point is, while these regulations seem harsh, they all stem from the same root desire to avoid returning to those dark times and allow us to progress further as a society. It’s all about keeping a balance, and even if a couple of measures are a little extreme, they pale in comparison to the benefits the HPSC has paved the way for. They’re not just Quirk control and PR management for the heroes. Besides, bills like that always get toned down when they actually pass, so it shouldn’t prove too much of a change in your daily life.”

Some of my classmates nod at Makoto-sensei’s words, but a few look around in discomfort. I admit, that what Makoto-sensei said does make sense, I can’t shake my head off the fact that I’m missing a crucial element. ‘Chaos and anarchy’? That can’t be the only reason for this…but they’re government agencies, so they get into shit like this all the time…come on, Ritsu, what are you failing to see here…gah, Venice! Alamut! Save and carry my weary mind into your ancient halls!

“Looks like you all have things to say.” Makoto-sensei looks at the class before she perks up and claps her hands. “I know! How about I get you all into groups of…three - no, four, that should split you all evenly, and discuss this topic? Do you want Quirks to be widely used or not? Next lesson, each group will come up and tell the class their conclusions.” 

Ignoring the rising groans, our dear teacher goes to the board and splits us up. Group assignments…on a controversial subject that ignites flame wars on the internet and in political rooms. This is going to be splendid, I can just tell.

‘Debate is a cornerstone of education, contractor. The opinions and thoughts of thy peers offer you a window into the fabric of the society thou tread and shape with thy actions. Even the most firm biases may be turned in thy favor, if not swayed.’

…I suppose so. Still, my experience with group projects isn’t enjoyable.

“Ogawa-san, Kurokami-san, Tenshi-san, Edelfelt-san, you’ll be group 3.”

Eh? Already? Before I fully process this, sensei calls out the last two groups and I hear chairs scrape. I look across the room and see through the sudden traversal of students, three of them heading towards me. 

“Do you mind if we sit here?” asks Tenshi.

“Uh, sure.” The three sit in the now-vacant desks and we turn to face each other. Tenshi flashes me a grin while Kurokami dips her head with a smile. Edelfelt gives me an inquisitive stare with her amber eyes but nods. 

Two blondes and two dark-hairs. The scales are balanced.

Chattering fills the room and we stare at each other. Eventually, it’s Kurokami who takes the lead. “Well, I think we should start simple. Tenshi-san, why don’t you go first?”

“Me? Okay.” Tenshi clears his throat. “ I’ve been in some chat rooms with this kind of discussion, and someone brought up an interesting parallel with Quirks, like what Ogawa-san said. Soldiers from a country’s military receive weapons training, and as such are licensed to use guns and firearms but only in the service of their country and within whatever limits the law imposes, the same goes for police. There’s a retired cop in my neighborhood, he hosts evening coffee for the local dads and he lets the kids come. One time a friend of mine asked why couldn’t he buy a gun when he was older, like in America.”

Tenshi smiles, no doubt with fondness at the memory. “He said that when a cop or a soldier is given a gun, he’s only to fire it to protect people, that a gun is the ultimate badge of duty that should never be used for personal gain. Not only that, the chances of a cop abusing the privilege of owning a gun are way lower than a civilian with a gun.”

“What about dirty cops or rogue agents?” I counter. To his credit, Tenshi immediately fires back.

“I never said it was absolute, of course there are going to be outliers, and in this context, they’re ‘villains’. As in, they’re using a means that can harm people indiscriminately to do just that, without caring how it will affect the people around them. Quirks can be way worse than guns; even if it’s not obvious at first, there are tons of ways to turn them deadly, all by looking them up in the right places on the internet. Nobody advertises it out loud, but you’d be surprised how some Quirks can be used. Not mine though,” he gestures to his ear wings and flaps them. “The only damage these things do are puns I’ve endured in elementary school.”

“So you claim that because heroes are taught both the moral and practical aspects of Quirk usage, they alone should hold it?” Kurokami asks while steepling her fingers.

“Pretty much. Hero students spend three years in hero courses learning about those, and this type of training isn’t something a civilian can pick up in a few night courses.”

On that, I agree. Jirou’s descriptions of her training sound intense, to say the least, all the while they have to maintain a level of normal high school education. Mawla’s training is just as harsh in comparison, if not even harsher thanks to his…little shots of motivation. Dedication is required from both the student and the teacher, and most of both aren’t cut out for that. For a while, I thought the same of myself, but Mawla wouldn’t let me quit. I’d thank him sincerely if it weren’t for the phantom agony lancing through my veins at the thought of his exercises.

Kurokami smiles, but it looks more like a smirk. “That is an interesting take, Tenshi-san, and I share your opinion. In this age of paranormal abilities where everyone possesses a potential weapon, regulation is an absolute necessity. I’ve read plenty of accounts and journals from the Quirk Turmoil from all its parts, and none of them painted a good picture. Even in the calmer parts of the world - not just Japan, mind you - fear and paranoia were woven so tightly into society that people could barely speak to their neighbors. If a man accidentally upset someone, he’d have no idea if his body would end up scattered in bits and pieces along the street. Weapons can be spotted with a good eye, but as Quirks grew more and more widespread, the risk of falling to a neighbor’s rage or ending up a casualty of a criminal attack was higher than ever.” 

She raises two fingers and her red eyes seem to sharpen. “By introducing the concepts of ‘only a chosen few should use Quirks’ and ‘Quirks should be used to better the world, not the self’, people overcame their fears and welcomed heroes as their guardians, and saw how Quirks could be used for good. The heroes served as icons and the public strove to follow the new ideal they championed. Hate and fear were overcome by respect and tolerance, and since then the HPSC and the government strove to keep the new standards because it was only under those laws and restrictions that people could trust each other and have faith in the new reality they were in.”

The debate team captain is brutal…if it wasn’t for one little chink I point out. “You say people could place their trust in each other’s new powers with this new law, but what about Mutant-types? Didn’t you mention to Makoto-sensei that groups like the CRC are still around?”

Kurokami however, isn’t fazed by my outburst and directs her smile at me. “I was getting to that, Ogawa-san, no need for haste. I was about to say that even with the benefits that Quirk laws brought, they left gaping holes that haven’t been closed since. Mutant discrimination is the largest issue that Quirk laws haven’t managed to deal with yet. Okumura-san’s stories from his grandparents aren’t off the mark, and Mutant issues are a touchy subject in political circles since they’re inextricably linked to public Quirk use.” The corners of her lips twitch downward. “Not everyone is lucky to possess a small mutation or one they can activate at will. Imagine a Quirk that covers your body in spines like a porcupine, and reacts when the owner is distressed. If the Quirk user accidentally injures someone, how severely should the public Quirk laws punish him?” 

“If it was an accident, there’s no problem, no?” asks Luvia. I have to say, her accent is impeccable. That’s a huge feat for a foreigner, and I don’t think she’s lived in Japan her whole life, so bonus points go to her.

Kurokami sighs at the girl’s remark. “You’d think that, and in most cases, it should be clear-cut, especially with minors: a small lecture and mandatory Quirk counseling. The issue boils down to how the Quirk works, the mindset of everyone involved, and whether or not the Quirk is considered ‘active’. Mutant-types are supposed to have more leeway with the laws because of how varied their bodies can operate, but it feels the opposite at times.”

Tenshi scrunches his brow. “Wait, didn’t you agree with me? This sounds like the opposite.”

“I was merely pointing out a flaw in my opinion, Tenshi-san, so everyone wouldn’t get the wrong idea. Without the Quirk laws, people would have less fear of consequences and those weaker Quirks would never trust those with stronger or stranger Quirks. Yes, they have issues and the overzealousness of politicians can take matters too far like with the new amendment but no law is perfect. If there are enough voices to change the laws, then they will be changed.” She spreads her hands out and nods. “That’s how a democracy works.”

I stare at her satisfied face and Luvia chuckles. “You have quite the way with words, Medaka-san. I’ll do my best to top it, but I have my doubts.”

“You give yourself too little credit, Luvia-san. I do wish you’d officially join the club, you’re responsible for some of our best debates.”

…oi, acting down-to-earth and humble really doesn’t work for you ojou-sama types. You’re one second away from breaking into laughs and my sensitive ears won’t be able to take it. 

I take the initiative and interject. “Ehm, what’s your take, Edelfelt-san? I imagine the attitude toward Quirks in Finland is different.”

The blonde quirks an eyebrow and a flash of surprise crosses her face before it returns to her usual ‘my-dog-bowl-is-worth-more-than-your-house’ look. She somehow makes it bearable - I have no idea how, and I don’t want to find out.

“You would be mostly right in that regard, Ogawa-san,” she says, her coiled hair hanging over her side shifts as she crosses her arms. “Finland respects the international policy regarding Quirk usage and its restrictions and implemented a licensing system. The penalties for non-licensed Quirk usage vary, but most are proportional to the damage committed by the usage.”

“What’s the main difference then?” asks Tenshi.

“While heroes are the prominent holders of Quirk licenses, there is a system that allows non-heroes to use their Quirks in a professional capacity.”

…you have my attention, Edelfelt-san. I gesture at her to continue, and even the unflappable Kurokami looks intrigued now.

“Translated to Japanese, it’s called a tradesman’s skill license. Suppose a person convinces the Finnish government that they or a family member’s quirk is essential to their profession and passes a series of tests. In that case, they can be given a license to use their Quirk in a professional capacity. My parents work in the jewel industry, and they’ve met miners who use their Quirks to help with their jobs. In some cases, it saves a fortune on equipment.”

“How do they train their Quirks for their profession?” Kurokami asks. “I can’t imagine it’s easy.”

Luvia frowns briefly before rubbing her chin. “I’m not too sure of the specifics myself. I suspect most who apply for a tradesman’s license are self-taught. Trade schools don’t cover Quirk usage, so a person would have to learn by himself, from a family member, or a senior in his profession who’s creative enough to teach him how to use his Quirk.”

Tenshi’s nose wrinkles at the last one “The last one sounds kinda…” he trails off, but Luvia catches on to his intentions.

“Actually, I’m told it happens more frequently than you’d think. Many jobs require their supervisors to think outside the box, and if they see a means to get the job done with less equipment and therefore less money, they’ll be willing to take the risk and instruct the worker.”

“What about the risk?” asks Kurokami, fully invested in the conversation. “What if the Quirk backfires and causes injuries?”

“You could say the same regarding normal equipment, like a power drill or a jackhammer,” Luvia shoots back. “And they aren’t exclusive to one person in the world.”

“Who manages these licenses? How are these tradesmen monitored?”

“Most members of the New European Union have a department that deals with Quirks and heroes alike, akin to the HPSC here. In certain situations, a licensed tradesman can use his Quirk publicly in other member states,” Luvia hums and shifts in her seat. “There are monthly checkups, reports, and eyewitness corroboration of course. Anyone caught abusing this privilege is blacklisted and tried accordingly.”

“Such as?” I ask.

Luvia taps her chin in thought, her amber eyes drifting upward. “I can’t recall one off the top of my head, but my parents talked about a heating Quirk gone wrong in a sauna. I didn’t hear the aftermath though, I will ask them next time.”

Huh. I have to admit, I’ve never paid much attention to this subject before beyond cursory browsing. Japan being Japan, we don’t dig much into what goes on in other countries unless it directly affects us. I’ve read about the different reactions different regions of the world had to Quirks, but I’ve never delved into the aftermath of the Turmoil; I was too focused on Renaissance-era Florence and the Tang dynasty. As a history fan, I should remedy that…when I have the time. “When was the tradesman system established?”

“Fifty years ago, as part of an experiment from the NEU. It was rolled out quietly so people wouldn't make a commotion about it, and most European governments implemented the statute, including a few non-NEU members like Otheon.”

A relatively recent move…it also explains why I haven’t heard of it on the news here.

“An interesting perspective, Luvia-san. Ogawa-san, what’s your take?”

I snap out of my thoughts and see my three classmates stare at me, the curiosity practically shining through their eyes. I take a deep breath and begin to speak, my thoughts forming with each word that exits my mouth.

“I think…that we need to take a serious look at the laws. Since these laws were implemented in the government, they’ve been considered a baseline or status quo for every Quirk-related law after that, and it boils down to ‘don’t use your Quirk unless you’re a hero.’ Judging by the new amendment, it’s going to get worse. If Quirks are getting stronger, placing harsher restrictions is like holding down a pressure cooker with no venting: enough heat boils up and the lid will erupt, no matter how many clamps you place on it. All it takes is one little crack in the seal and the whole thing goes up in smoke. Makoto-sensei said the public Quirk laws were borne out of a time of fear, but this isn’t the Quirk Turmoil. People aren’t going to start witch hunts if they see a person using their Quirk on the street. A tradesman Quirk system like Luvia’s country wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

The blonde smiles at my words and Kurokami quickly tries to rebut me.

“Yes, but what about villain attacks? Won’t criminals grow bolder in action if they could use their Quirks in public without the invisible weight of the law on their shoulders? Most who follow the law do so because of a fear of repercussion or punishment, even if they claim altruism or a sense of goodness.”

I hold back a frown as the vivid images of Araya, the League of Villains, the hostage-takers from when I met Dabi, and my numerous targets flash in the back of my mind. I know better than most in this classroom just how far scum are willing to go to sate their desires. Quirks add a level of danger that weapons couldn’t always match.

“Yeah, villains and monsters are hiding in the shadows, but since when has the existence of a law stopped people from breaking it? If people could use their Quirks, they wouldn’t need to rely on heroes to defend them.”

Tenshi scoffs lightly. “That can get outta hand real fast, the whole self-defense claim. If people resort to Quirks as the first way of dealing with problems, blood won’t be far behind.”

“And heroes don’t do that?” I snipe back and he frowns. I raise a hand placatingly. “I’m not saying that a regulation or a control shouldn’t exist, Quirks are still dangerous, but I don’t think it’ll be detrimental if people felt they could somehow acquire the option to do it, like gun permits in America.”

Kurokami raises an eyebrow. “America, as in the country where in some states a man can buy a military-grade assault rifle at the local grocery store? Where weapons permits have always been the subject of contention in their government since before the Quirk Turmoil?”

Touche, but I’m not done. “Again, not a bargain bin sale, but a way to let off steam and restore a sense of freedom to the public. It sounds a whole lot better than waiting for a hero to save you.” I’ll never forget Domino’s bitter laugh as I forced him to confess his dealings with child traffickers, all to increase his paycheck. 

“The issue still revolves around training, Ogawa-san,” Kurokami leans forward and stands of purple hair fall over her forehead. “Learning how to use one’s Quirk safely requires a considerable investment of time and sweat, one that most civilians can’t part with. Heroes are given training to do just that, not to mention the myriad of other subjects that come with such a responsibility, like damage control or public relations. A few rounds of what boils down to self-defense and panic management classes can’t match up to years of focused training.”

I bite my lip as an answer fails to come to me. “But we just talked about a tradesman system and how Luvia-san has a working example from her homeland,” I say and gesture to the girl in question, who nods at my words. 

“Yes, but the issue is deeper than practicality, I’m afraid.” A tinge of bitterness crosses the debate club president’s face. “I would go deeper into the subject, but the explanation wouldn’t suffice with the time we have left. In the most essential terms though, it boils down to societal conformity and how each country views it when weighed against the individual’s rights. What is ultimately better, that everyone, despite their differences, creates a baseline standard that remains the same to establish peace? Or can peace and order exist even with each other’s uniqueness and differences? We’ve discussed the matter several times in the club, and I’ve participated on both sides of the argument.” 

Tenshi looks at her strangely, mumbling under his breath. Kurokami sighs and slightly reclines her head. “Those debates, even with my expertise on the opposite end, always landed on the same side.”

I nod in understanding, even as I grumble. I’ve been exposed to a lot of different cultures in my self-studies of history, and it meant learning their values and beliefs. At some point, I realized that in terms of the sides Kurokami listed, Japan fell on one side of that spectrum. To be fair, so did most of East Asia, but my own country was a shining example of social conformity without falling into totalitarianism like the old Communist China. 

Heroes are lauded, and we rely on them to protect us, and heavens forbid should we defend ourselves.

Samurais and swords, just with flashy costumes.

“I admit, Ogawa-san, I didn’t take you for an orator,” Kurokami states after a moment of silence. She leans back and smiles at me with interest. “You have a knack for debating that many of my club members would desire to have. While your charisma is lacking -” Oi, that hurt. “It’s nothing a few rounds at the podium can’t fix. Wouldn’t you agree, Luvia-san?”

“Oh, most certainly! A bit of touch-up to his demeanor and mannerisms and he’d be a shoo-in for the club.” She tilts her head and matches the other girl’s smile. “Who knows, if he commits himself, he might face you one day on equal footing.”

“And you’d join in as the third side?”

“Depends if one of you needs help.”

They laugh in that high-bearing tone, but it doesn’t sound mocking. I must’ve made a face because Kurokami looked away from Luvia and into my eyes. “I apologize, but I wasn’t laughing at your expense. You raise excellent points, and they match with Luvia-san’s in ways I can’t refute, but there are still holes in your opinions. It’s an issue of trust and consequence, and I fear that we won’t have an answer during this lesson. Now if you’ll excuse me…” 

She pulls out a lined piece of paper from…somewhere and begins furiously writing. The sound of scribbles joins the pen symphony of the class, all writing their own results of the debate. Tenshi leans back and starts to play on his phone, though the ponderous look on his face doesn’t vanish.

“How did you know I was from Finland, Ogawa-san?” Luvia asks.

I shrug, not seeing a reason to hesitate. “You told us when you joined our school a year ago. I don’t hang out with your circle of friends, but that fact stuck out for me.”

A faint smile crosses her features and she rests her chin on an open palm. A few seconds later, she replies. “You’re a very observant one, Ogawa-san. Almost makes me wonder what other views you have on this matter.”

“Oh, I’ve got plenty. Maybe next time you’ll hear them.”

My mouth curls up without warning…and those words don’t feel like throwaways. Huh…that’s new.

Luvia nods to me and her eyes glimmer in an almost cat-like fashion. “I’ll wait eagerly to hear them.”

…debating? Seriously? With the postures, the speeches, the visibility? That involves…the total opposite of what I do!

‘Words can be sharper than any dagger or sword, contractor. I agree that such matters would be counterintuitive to thy mission, but debating and orations are skills I hath honed for many years, and used them to their utmost potential for forming my order.’

‘You want me to join the debate club?’

‘I will not force thee into it if that is thy concern, and it might complicate matters further. I only state that thou would be surprised at the usefulness of the oratory arts, contrary as they might seem. In addition, thy peers could teach thee a matter which is completely beyond my reach to instruct thee upon.’

‘And what is that exactly?’

‘Charm.’

…why, Mawla, must you make this poor student suffer? 

Ignoring the thrum of emotional agony through my chest, I turn my attention to my classmates. Edelfelt is chatting with Kurokami, and even Tenshi throws in a word or two, to which Kurokami shoots him down with a single sentence. I admit, this feels strange. I talk to my classmates, sure, but it’s only a casual thing. Was this seriously the first in-depth interaction I had with them beyond asking for homework or lesson tips?

…I shake my head and chuckle. My new social revelations, puzzling as they are, could wait.

School will be over in a few lessons, and I have a train to Shizuoka to catch.

I hope the main station doesn’t have metal detectors, because that would make things really awkward.