This Time

Chapter 31

Toshinori paced back and forth in the hall outside Nezu's office. He'd done his best to be calm for Mei, but to be honest he was a mess of nerves. She was in there talking with Yūei's principal and a police officer now. Even though he'd promised to stay with her, he couldn't exactly say no either after the police detective arrived and Nezu politely, yet pointedly cleared his throat before nodding towards the door.

Almost an hour and a half passed, and the retired hero felt like every second of it had been at least a minute on its own. He really, really hoped he hadn't misjudged the situation. Sure, Mei had done some illegal things (and he should definitely be ashamed of himself for not being all that bothered by that fact), but the most recent infractions had been under his supervision... So shouldn't he be in there too?

When the door opened he jumped, turning towards the entryway and holding his breath in anticipation. The officer stepped out and nodded politely in acknowledgment of the retired hero before he made his exit.

"Well... that's a good sign," he said to himself, for some reason feeling only marginally relieved to see the police officer leave empty-handed. No one else came out.

Another half an hour and All Might was definitely concerned. He trusted Nezu implicitly, but what kind of trouble was she in for it to take this long?

Finally, the door opened again, and the face that peaked out at him was blank - totally devoid of anything that could give him a hint as to what had happened - until suddenly she smiled.

"Hey, All Might. Principal Nezu has a favor to ask," she said easily, and he felt a smile pull at his mouth in response.

"Always happy to help," he replied, and she stepped back, holding the door wider for him as he re-entered the large office. "Yes sir? You wished to see me?" he asked, bowing politely to the pro hero seated behind his desk.

"Ah, I thought you might still be waiting out there. Sorry this whole ordeal took so long!" Principal Nezu greeted him while indicating that he take a seat in one of the chairs before the desk. Mei sat in the other. Toshinori tried to be covert as he stole glances at the woman, trying to gauge how she was, but when Nezu chuckled he realized he might not be as slick as he thought. "Miss Hara has been very helpful and cooperative with the police and I, and it's been decided no charges will be filed for her illegal quirk use since she was operating under the loaned authority of two pro heroes. Normally, this sort of rule bending wouldn't be allowed but the police thought in light of the special circumstances surrounding this case, we could settle on a less-harsh consequence than normal. Do you agree, All Might?"

"Uh, yeah. That sounds fair," Toshinori replied, feeling relief at what the principal said, but also mounting anxiety at what he wasn't saying. The hero could tell there was more.

"I've been issued a citation, and I've got to pay a fine as well as get my quirk, DNA, and fingerprints registered in the police database. It's not an 'official' criminal record, but if I break the law again they'll have me quicker than I can run," the woman said, shuffling her feet under her chair and playing with a lock of dark hair. "It's more than fair, honestly," she added with a shrug.

More than fair is right, he thought, astounded yet elated. It's basically just a slap on the wrist.

"However, if she accepts the offer I've made to her, the police's only condition is that she stay under the supervision of a licensed pro for the duration of the contract," Nezu continued, patting his chin while giving All Might a thoughtful look. "I'm sure you're wondering what this 'favor' is that Miss Hara said I wanted to ask of you."

Toshinori nodded, getting a sneaking suspicion where this was going. "I'm definitely intrigued," he replied honestly, looking back and forth between the two. "And what is this offer?" he asked, gaze stopping on Mei.