Mystery from Another World

Part 38: Ms. Shine Goes to Ketsubutsu

Miss Joke turned to Shine. "That was an interesting little speech, Likstar. In less than 3 months, you've gotten a better grasp of the situation than some people do in 20 years. It's as if you've seen both sides, even surprising me."

"I'm only learning as I go, Emi," Shine shrugged, "I don't hate your hero system, but it can't be denied it almost keeps heroes from making personal connections. Of course I've seen it before, but to this extent... They really are encouraged to be shallow. They may not be, but can we blame the lowlifes for assuming it?"

"Yes," Miss Joke said, "People make their own decisions. Even if we pros were like that, we still contribute something to the world. We don't want to burn it down."

"I've thought that too, but I don't think the villains will care for it," Shine said.

Emi looked at her intently. "It almost sounds like you've spoken to other villains than just those punks,"

Shine met her gaze. "And?"

Miss Joke glanced around. "Likstar, be careful. If you do something really crazy and UA finds out, they'll have to let you go... but there's worse things than that that could happen if you get caught by the law. I don't know exactly what you're doing, but it'd better be worth it."

"I could never tell you," Shine said vaguely, "If it was anything like what you just thought, you must understand that. Why, it'd make you a partner in crime. It's best if you don't know anything I do outside the school."

"And I'm going to forget this conversation ever happened," Emi said roundly, "but you know what that means, right? I can't help you."

Shine nodded. "I won't ask you to help anymore, unless maybe it's a last resort. Thank you."

"And... you know, sympathizing with criminals is dangerous," Miss Joke said, not harshly.

"I'm not exactly," Shine said, "but they are humans like anyone else. It would be weird to have nothing at all in common. I only wish to understand if I can help, and I can't, clearly... but it's funny, what little I had to say seemed to intrigue your class. I just opened my mouth not knowing what'd come out, but it seemed to get their attention. That's not me."

Miss Joke was silent for a moment, then she said, "Do you know why I asked for your help and Wally's?"

"Why?"

Miss Joke held up her fingers like she was framing Shine with them.

"Because you don't think like a Pro. And I know Pros are getting played by the League. I don't want us to be the second UA. Don't get me wrong, they're great, but... well... no one wants that to happen to their kids."

Shine nodded. "Yeah, totally."

"Your approach is crazy, of course," Miss Joke said, "You insult teachers and rely on kids to understand... but, then again, what's wrong with a little crazy now and then?" She smiled cheerfully. "Even us pros have to learn some stuff."

"Maybe not so much. Your class is a lot more open minded than UA," Shine said, "I'm going to credit that to you. You're doing a great job with them..." She shrugged. "It's funny, I've barely met you, but I feel like we just understood each other right away. What made you this way?"

"Oh, nothing special," Emi shrugged, "Maybe I just got tired of Eraser being so smug all the time... or maybe I just noticed the warning signs... I don't trouble myself too much about reputation too. People are gonna love the Smile Hero anyway."

"I guess that's true..." Shine said humorously. "Let's hang out again soon, but outside work."

"That sounds nice," Miss Joke, surprisingly, didn't have a lot of female friends outside school (or maybe it wasn't so surprising, with her love of pranks).