Going out after the sports festival felt strange. He'd already been trying to lay low. Avoid the wandering eyes and scrutinizing looks as he ambled out in public. It didn't help that his face had been broadcasted to the entire country, along with his damning status as an SAO survivor.

Pulling his hood up, burrowing into the warmth of his jacket, he walked through the throngs of people shuffling along the pavement. His hands were firmly shoved into his stiff pockets, reveling in the smooth fabric inside. It served to distract him from all the stares. Every move he made, every muscle and fiber of his body felt as if they were being studied under the lens of a microscope. People's sharp gazes seemed to trace his steps, watching through thinly veiled disgust and trepidation as he passed them by.

His brand had been revealed to the public during the sport's festival. His notoriety had only risen since then, marking him as a 'survivor' in the eyes of the world.

Ever since he woke up all those months ago, he had d learned the hard way that his status brought out the worst in people.

Still, he did his best to avoid the oncoming horde of civilians. Shuffling and dodging shoulders and stray feet as he made his way to the train station. Two scabbards were strapped to his back, held by crisscrossing black leather belts that were settled comfortably over his chest. A familiar, welcomed weight as he walks.

Aizawa wanted the class to meet up there before sending them off to their internships. It was also most likely an opportunity for him to caution them against any 'unseemly' behavior while they were in the care of their mentors.

Unsurprisingly, Izuku's hadn't gotten many offers. In fact, he'd gotten two in total. One was from an unknown old hero, going by the name of Gran Torino. While the second offer came from none other than Endeavor's hero agency. Which, honestly, kind of disturbed him.

His last interaction with the fire hero hadn't exactly been pleasant. Given everything Todoroki had to say about the man, it made him wonder what the hero's motives were.

Nevertheless, it was the perfect opportunity to help Todoroki out, even if it meant Izuku would have to act as a literal buffer between the two.

One thing was certain, though. The following week would be interesting.

__________________________

"Okay settle down." Aizawa drawled, his voice low and bored. "Before you go off on your own, I'd like to remind you that every action you will take while you're away will reflect on the school." His eyes raked over the lot of them, failing to mask the thinly veiled threat behind his words. "In other words, behave." He said finally. His hand coming up in a shooing motion once he was done. The class remained for a few more seconds there, only moving when the teacher spoke up one last time. "You can go now." His tone seemed to snap them out of whatever fear-induced trance they'd been caught up in, as they all headed their separate ways.

Izuku couldn't help but snicker under his breath, hiding a grin behind his hand as he shot the teacher a look. Meeting bored red eyes for a moment before turning to go on his way. He was sure the amusement in the older man's eyes wasn't a figment of his imagination. Aizawa really did enjoy putting everyone on edge.

Todoroki didn't hesitate to fall into the step with him as the latter made his way to the train.

Their compartment was crowded beyond belief. It was lucky they even managed to find themselves space to stand, let alone a seat with all the bodies currently jammed against each other. He could already feel multiple pairs of eyes glaring at him.

Looking at the lone seat, next to a line of people, Izuku gestured for the taller boy to sit down. Todoroki seemed to hesitate then, eyes widening with surprise as he stared, almost blankly back at the greenette.

"I'd really rather stand." Eyeing the throng of people swarming all around the seat, he couldn't help but hope the taller boy wouldn't insist. Izuku really hated crowds.

Todoroki's eyes flashed with a knowing glint as he finally relented, dropping into the seat, positioning himself right in front of Izuku's standing body. "Thank you." He said softly. Even though Izuku had the inkling that they both knew it was Todoroki doing him the favor.

A couple of minutes passed as more people shuffled into the train. A mechanical voice sounded from the speakers above them, voice almost completely intangible with the amount of static it carried. The floor vibrated and the walls shuddered as the engine roared to life. They were finally moving.

Stretching his arm up, he reached a hand towards one of the clutches above their heads, straining in order to get a proper grip. However, before his fingers could wrap around the yellow metal ring, a shoulder knocked in his side, sending him stumbling a couple of steps back. For once, completely caught off guard.

"Move you brat." A gruff voice hissed. "Murderers like you don't take priority over us good folk." A short, burly man snarls as he takes Izuku's previous place. Barely sparing him another glance.

Even though the brand is already hidden, he can't help but draw his sleeve further down his arm. Fingers, almost completely hidden by the fabric now. His fingers are itching to reach the swords strapped to his back. He chooses to clench them tightly instead. Knuckles going white with the tightening pressure, nails digging into his flesh, certainly drawing crescent-shaped cuts into his palms.

For the first time today, he wishes he hadn't taken up an internship with Todoroki. He didn't like the idea of anyone witnessing him in situations like this. Situations where he had no choice but to act weak and pathetic. Cowering before bastards like the man in front of him.

He shivers then, only now noticing that the air around them had turned alarmingly cold.

With widening eyes, he can see it, the moment the half and half user seems to snap out of his shock. Already bracing for a fight.

Izuku doesn't let him. Moving to press a hand to the boy's shoulder before the teen can get up from his seat.

He looks at the hero in training with something akin to desperation. Silently pleading for the boy to stand down. To let it be.

It wasn't like this behavior was anything new. Anything different from what he faced every day of his life. Even before he entered the game.

Todoroki doesn't try to stand again. Instead, his left arm reaches for the metal bar next to him. Wrapping tight fingers around the cool metal until the surface turns red.

Izuku barely has time to marvel at the boy's free use of his left side before the heat travels to the ring above Todoroki's head.

The moment it does, the man cries out, hand releasing the grip with a pained grunt. Shaking his palm as if to swat away the burn. "What the hell-"

"Excuse me," The ice and fire user interrupts coolly, voice low and steady. "My friend was about to use that." The pleasant smile on his face doesn't match the heat in his eyes as he speaks.

The stranger seems to brace himself, as if to retaliate before his eyes suddenly go wide. Recognition twisting his features before he seems to think better of his actions.

With a disgruntled grunt, the man marches away from the compartment. Hissing and muttering obscenities the entire way.

"You didn't have to do that," Izuku says after a moment, avoiding making eye contact with the other teen. Electing instead to stare at the ring once more. The glow has faded from the metal by now, a thin sheen of ice coats the surface. An experimental touch comes out moderately warm. As much as he hates to admit it, the heat is almost comforting to hold. "I could've shut him up if I needed to."

"I know." The boy responds softly. "I just really wanted to."

The tension breaks slightly and they ride in silence the rest of the way.

It's only when they're just a block away from the number two hero's agency that Todoroki speaks up again.

"Does that happen often?" The duel quirk user asks. His eyes pierce him with an intensity he could sense without even having to look back at the boy.

"Yeah man, don't you ever take the train during rush hour? There's always some idiot trying to take someone's place." He answers, channeling his inner Klein into the words. Hoping the teen will leave it at that. Deflection has always been his strong suit, after all.

The boy isn't deterred in the least. Only taking a second before he speaks up again. "That's not what I meant." The words, 'do they always treat you like this? Is it always that bad? And 'Does it get any worse?' flit through his mind, unspoken questions, all valid and all too real in the ice user's thoughts.

"Yeah... I know." Stuffing one of his hands in his pocket once more, he hastens his strides, relieved to see the agency entrance finally come into view.

_______________________

Crossing the entrance into the number two's agency felt like walking into a warm winter cottage during a snow storm. Heat practically radiated around the entire space, as if the warmth was being generated from the structure itself, emanating from both the walls and the ground.

People, heroes he recognized and some he didn't, seemed to swarm the place, bustling to and from various places in a hurry. Most likely busy with incoming emergency phone calls and recon meetings.

They were barely a few steps in before they were intercepted. The body that blocked them was that of a woman, her flaming yellow-green hair glowed and drew his gaze in like a moth. Her red-orange eyes regarded him for a moment before flitting to the taller teen behind him.

"You brats are finally here! I was afraid you were running late!" She exclaimed, shuffling from one foot to the other. "I'm Burnin! Endeavor's sidekick!" She introduced herself enthusiastically before turning to address Todoroki. "It's nice to see you again Shouto! It's been too long!" Satisfied with the nod she got in response, she turned to Izuku. "And you must be Midoriya! I admit I was surprised when the boss told me he'd taken on someone else! I thought for sure he'd only take his kid!"

"It's nice to meet you Burnin-San." He replied politely, remember a time when he had that kind of energy. "I was surprised too when I got the offer." He continued, a hand coming up to rub the back of his neck.

"Well, what matters is that you're both here now, so follow me! Boss is waiting in the training room!"

With the introductions out of the way, the fiery sidekick led them through the lobby and into the elevator. Soon enough, they reached the third floor. The doors opened up to a long hallway, multiple doors decorated the walls on both sides. However, the hero didn't stop at any of them, choosing instead to head straight for the one directly in front of them at the end of the hall.

Without bothering to knock, she marched into the room, exposing a wide training area to their curious eyes.

Mirrors lined the walls from all sides. Various training equipment was scattered around the room, separated by the targeted muscles or quirks.

He didn't let his eyes wander though. For, right at the center of the room, stood the number two hero in all his hulking stature. Practically towering over the man standing next to him. A shorter, brown-haired man with three spikes protruding from his back. A mutation quirk, something that was related to fire probably, considering what agency they were standing in.

"Here they are Boss!" Burnin spoke as she made her way back to the door, "I'm going to head out now, the patrol on thirty-fourth street is about to start. With a final wave, she was gone, fiery hair swinging behind her as the door closed in her wake.

"Shouto, you made it." The hero started, completely ignoring his presence. "I'm glad you've come to your senses." His voice was gruff and low.

The teen for his part looked like he was trying very hard not to retort. Instead, after exhaling once slowly, he replied. As calm as ever. "Well, you are still number two, you're experience will be of use to me."

At hearing his son's words, a vein seemed to pop out on the hero's forehead. It was a struggle for Izuku not to react outwardly.

Silence settled in the room, making him wonder if they were waiting for something. Was he supposed to talk first?

When the silence persisted, he had no choice. "Hello, my name is Izuku Midoriya, Thank you for having me." He bowed slightly, uncomfortable with the awkward atmosphere that had settled around them.

A grunt was his only indication to straighten back up. Once he did so, he was met with a dark, calculating gaze.

"Heatstroke, you know what to do." Was the flame hero's only reply, gaze directed at the man next to him.

When the man nodded in return, the hero ushered them to follow, leading the way toward an electric sliding door he'd only now noticed existed at all, nestled in the corner on the other end of the room.

Todoroki stepped in after his father, however, as Izuku was about to cross the threshold, the door slid shut mere inches from his body. A tiny gust of air blew through his face as it slammed shut in front of him.

He could hear Todoroki's protest on the other end. However, right now, he was more preoccupied with his own predicament.

Without turning around to face the sidekick, he could tell the man had marched closer. The temperature had risen in the room, the heat almost sweltering behind him.

Sweat gathered at the back of his neck and he fought to remain in place. However, the decision was taken out of his hands as he felt something rushing towards him.

Jumping into a summersault to the right, he barely dodged the flaming spike in time. Swiveling around, he crouched low, regarding the sidekick before him, eyes narrowed. Why would the man attack him?

The three spikes that had been rooted into heatstroke's back were now extended and floating menacingly around the man. Sharp tips pointed right at the hero in training, reminiscing of three giant arrow-headed chains. They were glowing a hot red. If the hole in the wall where his head was supposed to be was of any indication, they packed a lot of damage too.

"You have some fast reflexes, I'll give you that." The sidekick spoke calmly, voice cold despite the heated atmosphere around them.

"Why are you doing this?" He huffed as another long spike rushed at him. Jumping back just as the heat flared in front of him. Hissing as his shoulder grazed the appendage, burning his uniform in the process. Was this some kind of test?

He could hear pounding on the other side of the door. Todoroki was most likely getting worried.

Without bothering to answer, the man charged at him once more. This time, Izuku didn't hesitate to take out the elucidator from its resting place on his back. Body easily falling into a familiar stance as he drew his sword in front of him. Not bothering with the second one for now.

_____________________________________

"What the hell are you doing?!" Todoroki snarled as he turned to face his father. Fury radiating out of him in waves as he wondered just what the hell was going on.

The moment they'd stepped into the room the door had slammed shut behind him. Locking him in with a mechanism he was not familiar with.

The mirror in the training room, it turns out, was a two-way mirror. Which gave him a front-row view of his father's sidekick attacking his classmate.

"Calm yourself. Heatstroke is merely teaching that boy a lesson." The hero spoke matter-of-factly. As if there was absolutely nothing wrong with a grown, trained hero attacking a high school kid unprompted.

"What did Midoriya ever do to him? To you!"

"It is unbecoming of you to show weakness Shouto. That boy humiliated you during the sports festival by throwing the fight. It is only natural for us to want to test him." The sports festival, was this what this was about? His fists clenched at his side, trembling with the effort to control his quirks. Attacking his father now will not help, he reminded himself quietly. "As for heatstroke, well... Let's just say he has his own motives."

"What does that mean?" He asked lowly, knowing he'd get no further explanation from his father. Dread already pooling in his stomach as he turned to watch the fight unfold.

_________________________________

Kirito hissed as a spike caught his side, drawing out a deep gash at the parried the chain with his sword. Sparks flew as the heat seared into the blade and fought to melt it. Not that that would work anytime soon. His blade was nothing if not durable.

Still, he was getting tired of this fight. Heatstroke was standing a few feet in front of him, panting heavily even though Kirito had been entirely on the defensive. Not wanting to harm the man without knowing his motives first.

"Stop, what's the point of this fight?" He tried to reason, dodging the two spikes heading his way from opposite sides by jumping up, stepping onto both as they clashed, and twisting his body until he was further away.

Taking his needles from his pouch on his belt, he threw two of them. Satisfied as they made contact. Grazing the man's cheeks. The perfect distraction for him to get close.

Running faster than he'd been moving before, he deflected the chain aimed at his side, feet sliding across the floor as he swiped at the mains legs from under him, sending him tumbling to the ground.

"Why..." The man growled from his place hunched over the floor, words low and heavy as his knuckles formed tight fists at his sides. His body shook with something akin to hot fury. Yet, Izuku could feel something deeper in the man's voice. A deep-rooted sadness that seemed to latch onto his words, shining within the hatred in his eyes. "Why would someone like you survive when he didn't?"

And oh. He understood now where all this anger was coming from.

"Why did I have to bury my son?" His voice broke as he screamed, raw pain dripping from his words as tears gathered into his eyes, eyes that burned with hatred. Hatred, but above all, grief. "Tell me! What makes you so fucking special?" The heat emanating from the man's spikes seems to amplify, flames flaring to life as his quirk lost control. Expressing the pure, unadulterated anger and pain that must have been brewing within him all this time.

"Trust me, I wish I knew." He wasn't special. He wasn't any more important than the thousands of lives lost during those two years.

The anger seemed to resonate inside him, rattling something he, himself had been keeping under a tight hold until now.

He knows, however, what he had to do for this man. What he had to show him.

Drawing his sword into a downward stance, his other hand coming up behind him for balance, he readied himself for his next move.

To the untrained eye, what happened next would just be a blur of black, movements too fast to decipher. However, to Kirito, his actions were calculated and precise as he charges towards Heatstroke. Dodging two spikes before connecting with the third. He aims his sonic leap at the most prominent weak point of the chain.

The impact makes his entire body turn until his back is left to the hero, despite having twisted to meet him in the first place.

He doesn't have to look back to know that the hit had completed its intended purpose. For, it's only a second later that he hears it. The tell-tale sound of metal shattering intro pieces as the chain breaks and retreats into the man's body.

The only sound is their breathing as both of them take a moment to calm down.

Heatstroke falls to his knees then. Accepting the loss as he retracts his remaining spikes into his back.

Izuku recognizes that his method wasn't the most compassionate. Yet, he also knows that it was unavoidable. This man, no, this father kneeling before him had to understand what it meant to survive that game. Had to understand that his son wasn't anything less. That his death wasn't because of his own lack of worth or strengths.

The game was... It was just too much. Too hard. Too deadly.

Kirito wouldn't have gotten to where he was now if it wasn't.

Shinsou wasn't weak either. He thought bitterly. If anything Shinsou was the special one. It didn't change the fact that he was dead now, along with all the other victims of the game. Along with this man's son.

"I'm sorry." The hero whispers. A broken, low sound as he looks at the ground.

"Yeah... me too."

Next chapter already posted! link in my bio for support!