Mystery from Another World--MHA

Part 27: Hatsumei and Shinso

Of course, after that conversation, Shine's long day was not over. Bakugo made sure he got in her way once she was in the common area again.

"I knew it," she said.

Bakugo huffed.

"Uh, look, I've had a long, strenuous day," Shine said. It was only about 2 o'clock. "Can we put this off till tomorrow?"

"That sounds like a you-problem," Bakugo said, "You made a deal. Live with it."

Shine gave him a look. "I can see your compassion is in fine form today."

"Don't make promises if you aren't going to keep them," Bakugo said.

Shine sighed. "Fine, but not in here. Anyone could hear us."

A minute later they were out in the front of the dorms. As far as Shine could tell, there were fewer cameras out here. "Go ahead, ask me your question."

Bakugo had probably been thinking carefully about what to ask. He knew she was going to wheedle her way out of giving him any information she didn't want to, unless he was very specific. 

"I want to know what you're trying to do with the class," he said, "Why are you messing with us?"

"That's two questions," Shine said.

"They're basically the same thing," Bakugo scowled at her.

Shine leaned back. "You picked a good one. I really don't know how I can avoid answering that honestly and without giving something away...Ah, well, I really don't care if you know. The truth is, you're the only student I actually think won't be thrown off by it, so it's lucky you picked that question. I was really afraid you'd ask who sent me here."

"The I'll ask that instea--" Bakugo began.

"No take-backsies," Shine said right away, with evident satisfaction.

"You b--  I mean... pain in the a--!" Bakugo said.

"Oh, I felt that one." Shine wasn't bothered. "Okay, I'll answer you: I'm trying to recruit soldiers for the army I'm part of."

Bakugo scowled. "Don't frick with me."

"Don't like that? Okay, I'm trying to cure people from their infirmities."

"Likstar," Bakugo said warningly.

"It's a family business," Shine tried again.

"I'll kill you!" he shouted.

"Hey, quiet down," she said, "Someone will hear you. Scratch that, I'm sure they already did." 

Sullen silence.

Shine tilted her head. "Okay, okay... all that was true, but I guess you want more details than that. I... guess you could say, we're here to make you all better. Stronger. Kinder. Though, I can't say I have the power to do that, but I do what I can. We are here to equip people with the same ability we have...once they are ready for it. There's a thing that one of us said... 'He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.' [references Luke 1:52] There."

"That didn't make any sense," Bakugo said.

"All of you are too literal. That's your problem." Shine rolled her eyes. "None of you understand metaphor or analogy or symbolism. Look... let me put it like this. When someone makes the choice to follow what's Good, regardless of how hard it is, then it's given to them to know things that can be said plainly, without using metaphors. But as long as someone is on the fence, they can't understand anything except by metaphor."

"That d--- metaphor didn't have anything to do with my question," Bakugo declared, "and what do you mean? I'm a fricking hero."

"That doesn't make you good," Shine said, without a shred of hesitation or doubt, "Surely you of all people ought to see that. Do you think you're a good person, Bakugo?"