What Happens in the Pit

Epilogue

There was a knock at the door.

It was Asane.

"I want a raise," Asane said.

"Okay," Izuku said.

And that was that.

There was a knock at the door.

It was Asane.

"I want a raise," Asane said.

"Okay," Izuku said.

And that was that.

There was a knock at the door.

It was Asane.

"I want a demotion," Asane said.

"Okay," Izuku said.

And that was–

"Wait. What?" Izuku asked, catching Asane right before they left and closed the door behind them, prompting them to come back into Izuku's office.

"Yeah," Asane said. "I feel like I'm taking advantage. I don't even have to work anywhere else anymore, I'm making so much here. Then I asked for another raise and you just gave it to me. I'm making way above market rate for a healer, especially for one for an above-ground boxing arena."

"But you work every day," Izuku argued. "Not just twice a week like before. You keep everyone healthy and you do a thorough job on every single fighter. I think you deserve what you're paid. Actually, I think you deserve another raise. I'll put it in now!" Izuku said, turning to his desk and beginning to write.

"Izuku!" Asane objected with a laugh, stepping further into the office. "I ask for a demotion and you're giving me a raise?"

Izuku laughed. "I guess so! Maybe I'll add some extra time off, too! You deserve it!"

"I wouldn't ever use it!" Asane argued before Izuku could follow through with his gracious threat. "All I ever do is hang around here anyway!"

"Is that really healthy, though, Asane?" Izuku asked.

Asane gave Izuku a blank stare. "Are you really the one who can question that, Izuku?"

Izuku tried to smother his smile unsuccessfully. "Okay, no. Probably not. But my point still stands. Do as I say, not as I do?"

"Unlikely."

"You sound like Hitoshi."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Get out of here!" Izuku commanded. "Enjoy your raise!"

"Demotion!" Asane corrected as they left, closing the door behind them.

"And that's how Asane got another raise today," Izuku explained to Katsuki over dinner.

"Well," Katsuki started, taking a drink of his water before continuing. "They did ask for a demotion and you're determined to give them a raise. I don't see why both can't be true."

"What do you mean?" Izuku asked.

"Pay them more money, but demote them in title. Like they're the healer right?" Katsuki asked.

"Right."

"Well, now they make double the money, but they're demoted to the assistant healer," Katsuki explained.

"That doesn't make any sense, though," Izuku said. "There's no other healer to be an assistant to."

"Which is hilarious," Katsuki said with a laugh which got Izuku laughing, too. "Can you imagine their face when you introduce them as the 'assistant healer' to the next group of new fighters?" Izuku started laughing harder, wheezing at the effort his lungs was putting out to keep up.