Beyond Ultra (a MHA story)

Chapter 39

Horoki and Midorya were eating some breakfast and talking about some training exercises. Liam then sat down and looked over at Horoki and Midorya with a raised eyebrow. Midorya then got up and went with Iida and Uraraka to do some studying, leaving Horoki and Liam alone. "You and Midorya seem to be getting along pretty well." Liam said eating some cereal. "What do you mean?" Horoki asked as he ate some of the cereal. "Well, if I remembered correctly. You didn't like Midorya. At all! You called him a crybaby." Liam said. "I can't have a change of heart?" Horoki asked. "I mean, when you say something, you usually stick with it. You usually don't go back on your word." Liam said. "Well he's not that bad ok? Jeez." Horoki said, getting up and leaving the table. "Why's he in such a sour mood?" Liam said. "You forget he's quirkless?" Jiro said as she sat with Liam. "Right..." Liam said, immediately feeling guilty. "Don't feel bad Liam." Mina said as she hugged Liam from behind. "Just gotta be careful with what you say." Mina added. "How do you think he's holding up Jiro?" Liam asked her. "I don't think he's getting better. All he's doing now is just training and hanging with Midorya." Jiro said. "You jealous that he's hanging out with someone other than you?" Mina asked. "N-No..." Jiro said, looking away bashfully. "I think he's overworking himself." Momo said as she sat down with them. "You think so?" Liam asked. "Yeah, not sure if you heard, but he popped his arm out of place when he was training with Midorya." Momo said. Jiro gave a worried look, causing Momo and Mina to give her a hug. "Don't worry Jiro. I'm sure he's gonna be much better." Mina said. Jiro sighed and got up, "thanks guys, but I think I should check on him myself." Jiro said, she got up and went to see Horoki.

Horoki was throwing knives at some wooden posts, hitting the bullseye every time. He then heard someone clearing their throat and looked back. Jiro was behind him, looking down and twiddling her thumbs. "H-Hey Horoki." She said quietly. "Hey Jiro." Horoki said as he threw a knife at the post without breaking eye contact with her. "Is everything ok?" Jiro asked as she walked towards Horoki. "I'm ok." Horoki said, not batting an eye. Jiro held herself and looked at Horoki, "please talk to me." She said. Horoki sighed and threw a knife on the ground effortlessly. "I'm worried that my quirk won't come back, that I'm getting behind in my progress while the rest of the class pushes forward." Horoki said. "And...I can't protect you." Horoki added, his voice getting softer. Jiro cupped her cheeks, "I can protect myself Horoki. Just focus on making sure that you're not overworking yourself." Jiro said. Horoki held her wrists and sighed, "I just don't want anything happening to you, or Liam, or anyone." Horoki said. "We can handle it Horoki." Jiro replied. "What happened during that fight...?" Jiro asked. "I took the bullet for Todoroki. Except I didn't mean to, it was just like a second nature. I guess I couldn't stand around and watch Todoroki get hurt." Horoki said. Jiro hugged him tightly. "Besides, Midorya taught me that quirks are tools that help us. We can't over rely on them or we lose proficiency." Horoki said. "That's a way of looking at it." Jiro smiled. The two were then interrupted by Uraraka who came in, "Horoki! Aizawa called us into the classroom!" She said. "Ok round face, I'll be there." Horoki said. "We'll pick this up when I get back ok?" Horoki asked. "Got it." Jiro said, before Horoki was able to leave however, Jiro pulled his arm back and kissed his cheek. Horoki smiled back at her and ran off to the classroom.

The Classroom

Horoki, Tsuyu, Midorya, Uraraka and Todorki waited in the class for Aizawa. He came in and looked at the students. "How are you kids?" Aizawa asked. "We're good." They replied. "Is everything ok with the girl we rescued? Ribbit." Tsu said. "She's ok, she actually wanted to see Midorya and Mirio." Aizawa said. "Why not the rest of us?" Todoroki asked. "It will overwhelm her, besides she specifically asked for them." Aizawa answered. "I suggest you all rest, it was a grueling day for you kids and you need to rest." Aizawa said, "you're dismissed." He added. The class left and went back home besides Midorya, who was going the opposite direction to see Mirio. "Horoki!" Midorya shouted. Horoki turned around and saw Midorya run time him. "Would you like to see Eri?" He asked. "I don't think that's a good idea, she's probably traumatized by everything, last thing we need is to scare her some more." Horoki said. "Oh, ok. Well, if you ever want to meet her just tell me." Midorya said. He waved and left Horoki to go to the hospital. Horoki smiled as he saw Midorya run off, "he's not that bad...sure he's a cry baby, but he's not that bad." Horoki said to himself, smiling.

Police Station

Naomasa Tsukauchi and Lincoln were discussing some clues on Sumbo's whereabouts. "We know that there's a bar near a train yard around here." Tsukauchi said as he circled the part of the map. "Our sources say that a man dressed in western attire has been visiting there at night." He added. "Great. I can take it from there." Lincoln said as he walked away. "Mr. Colt! I can't let you take this on by yourself." The police officer said. "You don't understand, this man has killed for pleasure. He is my responsibility. He hurt one of my students and almost killed one of them. I can't just sit back and watch some good people die because of someone who has a bone to pick with me." Lincoln said. "You care about your men? Do not send them there. It's a trap and you don't want to tell their wives and children why their father isn't coming home." Lincoln added, staring into the policeman's eyes. "What makes you think you're capable of taking him on?" Tsukauchi asked. "I can outshoot anyone here. I've seen him fight, and I can take him on. Besides, he would torture your men if they went there without me. I'm not letting that happen, if he wants me, he will get me." Lincoln continued. Tsukauchi sighed in annoyance, "I made a promise to someone that I won't send you there by yourself." He said. "You can break that promise if it means saving lives. I will go to that train yard, with, or without your permission." Lincoln said as he fixed his hat. "I don't understand why it must be you." Tsukauchi asked.

"It's simple Tsukauchi." Lincoln said, moving his hat up so his orangish red eyes meet Tsukauchi'a eyes. "You don't hire a saint to catch a sinner."