Toshinori felt lost. Mirio had ordered ramen to celebrate their nemesis defeat, which was a sweet gesture, and there was something surreal about sitting here in an empty classroom, eating ramen with his protege as the sun set though the windows, but it just felt... perhaps empty was the best word to describe it, or maybe hollow. It didn't feel real or anything like what he had expected, that was for sure, and it didn't even feel like the first time he had assumed, incorrectly of course, that All for One was gone for good. That first time, he'd been busy recovering from his injuries and he had taken the symbol of evil down with his own two hands, so if he had had the time to process it, it would have felt real and complete somehow.

But he hadn't been the one to take his nemesis down. It hadn't even been Mirio. No, All for One had been taken down by his own hubris and the people he had seen as mere puppets in his plan with one very important catalyst. Izuku Midoriya.

Dabi: Oh yeah, the one kid he thought could never be a hero.

Toga: And he took down All for One!

Twice: With our help. We didn't need him at all.

"I used to be quirkless, you know." Toshinori broke the silence. "Before I met Nana and received One for All."

Mirio set down his spoon, "I think you mentioned that."

Toshinori nodded absently as he played with his food, "I had a dream of becoming the symbol of peace, but I couldn't do that without a quirk. Or at least I thought I couldn't. Now I'm not so sure."

All Might: I probably couldn't... but young Midoriya could. (Midoriya went red but Uraraka covered his mouth before he could say anything self-depreciating)

"It would have been more difficult." Mirio acknowledged. "But just because you got an amazing quirk doesn't mean you're any weaker, All Might. You're still an amazing hero!"

Toshinori smiled sadly, "Thank you, my boy, but I am not sure that is entirely true. I took the easy path."

Gran Torino: You did. But you took it well.

"And you took it well." Miro insisted. "You've done a lot of good All Might! Sure, maybe you could still have accomplished all your goals if you stayed quirkless like Deku, and that would have been super awesome, but just because you received a quirk that made your life easier doesn't mean that you didn't have to work hard to get where you are. You're the symbol of peace for a reason, All Might. You might have made some mistakes, but you're working on them and stuff, right? So that's what being a hero is all about. Making the world a better place, starting with ourselves!"

Toshinori chuckled, "You always know just what to say, don't you my boy?"

Tamaki: Yeah, Mirio's just like that.

Mirio shrugged, "I mean, there's a reason you chose me and it's not just because Sir told you to. You liked that I could be happy and bring hope, right? It's why you chose me as your successor."

Toshinori sighed, "I'm just wondering if I should have passed it on at all. It's obviously not as miraculous as I originally believed if All for One could be taken down by any old..."

Tsukauchi: Okay, stop that this instant.

"Whoa, stop right there." Mirio shook his head fondly. "Just because Deku is quirkless doesn't mean All for One wasn't strong. One for All is still an amazing legacy. Deku's accomplishments don't discount that."

"Oh..." Toshinori blinked, then rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled awkwardly. "I suppose I'm falling into those biases again, aren't I?"

Inko: Mm-hm.

"Yeah." Mirio shrugged. "But you're trying and that counts for a lot. Now come on and pass me a little more rice. We're supposed to be celebrating."

"Yes, we are." Toshinori laughed. "Yes, we are."

Emi hadn't said anything since she arrived. The minute she'd gotten to his apartment, she'd taken off her shoes and brewed them both a cup of tea, then simply cuddled into his side, browsing her phone as he finished up with the last of the paperwork from the raid. If someone had asked him a year ago if Ms. Joke was capable of being silent, he would have called it a logical ruse, but maybe that was why he had been so afraid of falling in love with her. Because then what happened if his thoughts and inner conflicts were loud enough to be overwhelming all on their own?

Thirteen: He's not taking the news about Kurogiri well is he?

Nezu(looking at the rooftop trio): No, I think not.

He missed Oboro. He missed what he'd had with him and Hizashi and he'd mourned that loss already, so having it all shoved in his face again, this time turned completely on its head, felt like having a rug pulled out from underneath him. It was just like when he'd thought that Oboro was cheering him on, only to find out that he'd died. Except he hadn't. Not really. It sucked.

Ojiro: Poor sensei...

Hagakure: Yeah, I don't even want to imagine one of you guys dying and then I find out years later that you weren't actually dead...

"We don't even have him back." The thought slipped out of Shouta's mouth before he could stop it. "He's changed too much and All for One messed with his brain. He's not the kid I knew anymore, Emi."

Emi sat up and grabbed his hand, "I know, but are you really ready to give up on him? I know I never got the chance to know him, but from what you and Mic have said, he sounds like a really great guy."

"He was." Shouta said helplessly. "But he's been a villain for the past ten years. The Oboro I know wouldn't have done that."

Kurogiri(quietly): Not of my own free will apparently.

"But you said it yourself, All for One messed with his brain." Emi said. "Maybe now that he's gone, there's a chance you can get your friend back."

"And what then?" Shouta asked. "What if we do get him back and he's still different, or I'm different and we don't just fit together easily like we did back at UA... "

Iida: Things are going to be different though aren't they? The last time they saw each other was when they were our age.

Momo(shooting a quick glance at the teachers): Don't say that.

Emi cut him off by squeezing his hand tightly, "Then you'll find a way to make it work. We're not a perfect match, are we? And we still found a way."

Shouta rolled his eyes, "You mean you found a way. You just kept attacking my walls head on until there was a large enough gap for you to squeeze your way in. It was a war of attrition."

(everyone snorted. That was one way to describe a romance)

Emi giggled, "Okay, maybe. But still, give it a chance, Shou. If not for your sake, for his. Or Mic's."

"Why do you have to come at me with logic?" Shouta groaned. "How would we even begin to find out how much of Kurogiri is still Oboro though and how much was All for One?"

"Well, All for One isn't the only person we know with a habit of messing with people's brains." Emi said playfully.

Mei: Yeah, extra-credit-kun can fix him!

Shouta narrowed his eyes, "If you're making a joke about my logical ruses..."

Emi snorted, "No, you're not that good. I was thinking about Shinso."

Shouta sat up straight, "You think he could brainwash All for One's influence out of him!"

Nejire: Well he did it in Cheat Code.

Mt. Lady: He can probably do the same in Deku.

Emi shrugged, "It's worth a try. Besides, the kid is getting too good at jokes and pick-up lines. He needs something to keep him out of trouble at this point."

Shouta nodded and slumped against the couch, "I'll talk to him tomorrow."

Joke: Knowing me, I already did.

Emi gave him a sly smile, "I already did. He'll be at the hospital at noon. Good luck, Shou."

"Psst! Deku! Come here!" Uraraka's voice coming from his balcony made Izuku yelp and jump off the bed, hitting the floor with a hard thud.

Uraraka: Wait hold on a second what's other me doing?

He rubbed his tailbone as he hobbled outside, "Uraraka? Is everything alright? Is there a fight somewhere? What's going on?"

Uraraka giggled and grabbed his hand, "It's not an attack, silly! I just wanted to show you something. Do you trust me?"

Uraraka(frowning): That doesn't sound like me...

Izuku breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed as Uraraka activated her quirk on him, "Yeah, I do. Where are you taking me?"

"Oh, no place too far, Eraserhead would kill me!" Uraraka gave a big grin and a few warning bells went off in his brain. "It's just the roof, so stop being such a worrywort!"

Iida: Okay since when does Uraraka call sensei 'Eraserhead'? (Nezu and Toga suddenly started cackling and everyone looked at them in concern)

Izuku frowned, "Since when do you call Aizawa 'Eraserhead'..."

He trailed off and his eyes widened as he saw the rooftop. One a blanket laid out with candles and what looked like pints of ice cream, Uraraka was already waiting for him. She turned around when she heard him gasp, "Deku? I was starting to... oh."

Spinner: Toga you matchmaker...

Mina: Yes! Someone finally got them together! I was waiting for ages!

Toga giggled as she let go of Izuku and gave him back his gravity before shifting back into herself, grabbing a robe from behind a planter to cover herself up, "You two have fun! I didn't know what kind of ice cream you guys liked, so I got strawberry for Ochaco, cause you're so sweet, and mint chocolate chip for Deku, cause it matches your hair! Have fun on your date! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

Compress: And she's leaving...

Uraraka glanced at him with panicked eyes and jumped up, "Toga! Wait!"

It was already too late, though, since she'd already taken a vial from the pocket of the robe and downed its contents, shifting into Hagakure and disappearing as the robe fell to the floor again. The only sign she'd left was the door closing behind her, the lock echoing across the roof as it clicked closed. Both Izuku and Uraraka ran to the door, only to find it locked.

Inko: ...Did she just kidnap Izuku?

Mitsuki: Eh, doesn't count since someone needed to get the lovebirds together.

Midoriya(suddenly horrified): No one even think of doing that to me okay?

1A and some 1B: ...

Midoriya(even more horrified): Guys!

"Dang it." Izuku frowned. "Do you have a hair pin? I left my lock picking kit in my room."

Kendo: Oh yeah, totally normal thing for someone to carry around with them.

Kuroiro: You don't?

Kendo: Uh wha?

Uraraka shook her head, "I was wearing a ponytail today, so no. Um, I guess the grappling hook's with your costume?"

"Yeah." Izuku huffed. "We could use your quirk?"

Uraraka grimaced, "Uh... kinda overdid during sparring earlier. So possible, but it wouldn't be pretty and the ice cream would probably melt by the time we both got out of the shower."

Shigaraki(whistling): Wow, Toga really doesn't pull her punches when she does this stuff.

Toga: Yeah, of course! Love is important!

Izuku matched her face, "Yeah, maybe not. Uh... so how did Toga get you?"

Uraraka blushed, "Well, I thought she was you and she said she had something to..."

"Show you on the roof." Izuku sighed. "I didn't even question it until we were already in the air."

Snipe: I am so glad it was just Toga...

Vlad: That sounded weird...

"Well, I guess I'm glad you trust me so much." Uraraka giggled. "But, uh... it kinda got us trapped. Aizawa's gonna give you detention for getting kidnapped again."

Aizawa: Oh I definitely am, problem child.

Izuku shot her a playful glare, "Don't forget you'll be right there with me."

"I'm with you right now, aren't I?" Uraraka's eyes widened and she looked away, "Uh, any idea what Toga's goal was with this whole logical ruse thing?"

Now it was Izuku's turn to blush, "Uh, I'm pretty sure she said it was a date? I'm, uh, not really sure why she thought that, not that I don't like you. I do! I mean, I don't! I mean... um, I'm sure it's faster if I just jump, right? That'll be the quickest way down."

Bakugo: Deku! Don't joke about that!

Midoriya: I'm sorry!

Uraraka laughed, "Has Toga been teasing you about having a crush too? She's been trying to get me to just grab the bull by the horns, but, uh... I guess she got tired of waiting."

"Yeah. Toga isn't very well known for patience." Izuku agreed, then did a double take. "Wait, did you just say crush?!"

Komori: Yep, she did.

Kurogiri: And Toga is not known for her patience at all.

"Um... maybe?" Uraraka huffed and her face filled with determination. "You know what? Yeah. Toga already spilled the beans anyway, so might as well face it head on, right? Deku. I like you."

Izuku gulped, "Oh."

Uraraka nodded, "Yeah. And if you don't feel the same way then that's fine, but..."

Midoriya: Ah no! Oh no! What do I say?!

Inko: Well do you like her?

Midoriya: Um um I don't know! I didn't think I'd ever get a girlfriend so I don't think about crushes or other stuff like that!

Mitsuki: Inko you need to teach your son some things.

"No!" Izuku waved his hands frantically. "I mean, yes? I mean, anyone would like you, you're smart and pretty and a really good fighter and... wait, does this mean I should call you Ochaco now? Or does that come after ice cream?"

(Uraraka almost passed out at Midoriya saying he might like her)

Power Loader: I think before, and also you should start eating that before it melts.

Ochaco blushed and ducked her head, "You can call me Ochaco if you want, Deku. I... I think it's cute."

"Okay." Izuku's mouth felt dry and he had no idea what to do with his hands, so he ended up just gesturing awkwardly to the blanket. "Uh, so... shall we?"

Ochaco giggled and grabbed his hand, pulling him down onto the blanket as she sat down, "We shall."

Mic: They finally got together.

Midnight: It was getting so awkward.

Monoma(whispering): Hey, why don't we do Toga's trick with Kuroiro and Komori?

Setsuna: Oh yes that'll work, Kuroiro really needs to start admitting he's got a crush on her.

Dark Shadow: Yes, even I can see it and I'm in 1A!

Komori: What are you guys whispering about?

Everyone who was talking: Nothing!