Top pic credit: unknown

I walked into the bustling, main building of UA, smoothing out the school uniform I haven't worn in ages.

I'm always in my hero costume now, since the majority of my time is spent at the Hawks agency. I was a little rusty on the uniform etiquette. Whoops.

While Keigo and I may have lingered in my room a little longer after we got changed, I still managed to make myself presentable. Sure, maybe I wasn't in my full face of hero makeup, and maybe my hair sported nothing more than it's natural wave today...but I felt pretty, anyways.

I was happy...

Until I remembered why I'm currently here.

I checked Diane's text message again, wondering why she asked me to head to the UA stage room.

The stage room is only used when the teachers and principal need to deliver big news announcements to the press. It's huge, grand, and showy...and the only time I've ever been inside was during the student hero appreciation ceremonies, of those who were present at Kamino and the Yakuza infiltration mission.

In other words, it was a big deal and I have no idea why the hell Diane is asking me to show up there today. Can't say I'm not a little nervous.

But, then again, she's a pretty posh person. Maybe she wants to have a meeting with me, and felt the stage room was the only suitable place for her to sit in. That sounds like her. Who knows.

Hopefully, it's nothing super important.

Throwing open the doors of the stage room, my jaw dropped in pure shock, and admittedly, a little panic at the sight in front of me.

Okay.

Well.

Yep.

This is definitely super important.

The room was filled with live reporters, press, cameras, and microphones. The entire faction of hero class students were here from classes 1-A to 3-D.

Heroes-what?!! Pro heroes were here, too?! Why?

Just at a first glance into the endless sea of people, I saw Endeavor speaking with Rock Lock-come to think of it, Endeavor looks especially displeased to be here. He keeps looking around the room, almost suspiciously.

Kamui Woods was sweet talking Mount Lady into getting back together in the corner-and by the way she was twirling her hair and giggling....she was totally eating it up. Midnight. Fat gum. All Might. Mirko. Almost everyone in the top ten. I haven't seen something of this scale since the JP Hero Billboard Chart Awards.

What the hell is going on?

Why is this happening at UA?

What....in the world did you do now, Diane...

"Oh my god...." I groaned out anxiously, making my way through the crowded, loud space with unease.

I was pushing and shoving my way past people, yet I wasn't sure where I was even going.

Should I go towards the stage? Should I text Diane? Should I just make a break for it, and forget this life completely?-

"Ari!!" I heard from behind me, turning around to see that familiar head of baby blue locks swaying back and forth.

I smiled in relief at the sight of my best friend, about to make my way over to her.

"Nejire, thank goodness-" I started saying, before I felt a hand wrap around my arm and pull me away from her.

"Didn't I say to head to the stage?" Diane asked me over the chaos, continuing to lightly drag me towards the very front of the big, loud....crowded room.

I lightly rolled my eyes, trying not to give her attitude first thing in the morning. Especially, not after I ran my mouth to her last week, when I returned from my kidnapping. I remember what she said perfectly...

"You better get it together, and clean yourself up by Monday."

Yes, that's right. Diane does not give second chances.

Any leeway I had in running my mouth, expired the moment I stormed out of Diane's office that day. She probably only gave me that free pass because she felt obligated to. I'd just been kidnapped, after all..

Not that she seems all broken up about that.

I cleared my throat, uncomfortably trying to get my words together so I didn't further upset her.

"I didn't know I was supposed to head to the front of the room. Your text didn't say that." I mumbled quietly, as Diane dragged me backstage.

She simply shrugged, placing her hands on my shoulders to assess my appearance.

Judging by the look of disgust she gave, I'm guessing I wasn't quite up to her standards.

"Oo. You look like a mess, dear. Did you even comb your hair this morning? What were you doing? Pulling on it all night?" She scoffed, pulling out a brush from her bag and roughly starting to run it through my hair.

Well, no. But, Keigo was...

I cringed slightly as she practically ripped my scalp off with the brush. Yet, I remained quiet and let her do what she pleased.

That's what I'm supposed to do.

Diane softly shook her head in disapproval as she continued yanking the brush through my hair.

"You know better than this, Ari. You know how much appearances matter when you're a hero-and look at you. You didn't even bother to put your makeup on today, either. No one likes a girl who doesn't look pretty." Diane mumbled into my ear, pulling out the makeup bag she always carried for me whenever we had a press event.

I felt a minuscule jab to my heart, upon hearing her words. I'm not sure why it even matters to me, anymore. The statements she's throwing out aren't ones she hasn't already used before.

"Sorry..." I muttered tiredly, averting my eyes away from her.

No response. That's to be expected.

I stared blankly at the wall as she continued picking my appearance apart, acting as though it required an enormous amount of effort to make me look presentable.

After Diane had made another comment about the dark circles under my eyes, the atmosphere went quiet again.

Trying to fill the awkward silence between us as she applied an extremely thick layer of foundation on me, I tried addressing the elephant in the room.

"So.....why are you here at UA? What is all this about?" I asked dryly, watching her give me a light glare of disdain.

"I told you already, Ari. Listen the first time, please, so I don't have to repeat myself. I'm doing something about it. Your kidnapping, remember? It's what you wanted, isn't it?" She mumbled in annoyance, quickly brushing tints of blush on me.

I grit my teeth at her answer, hating how vague she was.

"She's doing something about it." That's her answer. What is she doing about it though?

"I....I understand that part. I guess-what I'm asking is what are you doing about it? Why are all of these people here? This seems like it's a big deal..." I muttered in unease, the loud sounds of the crowd echoing from backstage.

"Oh. It is a big deal. I thought you knew that." She stated curtly, swiping some mascara onto my lashes.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her, once again, incredibly vague answer...simply remaining silent in my own attempt at sassing her. Pretty pathetic. I know. But, I take my wins where I can get them.

Noticing my silence, Diane let out a small, exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes like I was the dumbest person in the world.

"Ari. It's a ceremony. For you. A celebration ceremony to honor the fact that you came home from the league of villains safely. This entire thing is for you. Reporters will take your picture, every news station in the country is here to broadcast it live. Your story will be told for everyone to see. Get it now?" Diane explained impatiently, causing my heart to jump up my throat.

"W-What??!? Why!!? Why would you do that?!? I don't want something like that!!!" I exclaimed, rubbing the back of my neck nervously.

Diane simply shook her head, making extra work to cover up the scratches and bruises on my face.

"Ari, Ari, Ari. There you go, being a drama queen again. I don't know what you want from me. You always act like everything is my fault, yet here I am, trying to do something nice for you, and you're yelling at me. See the problem? You always act like such a victim...like I treat you so poorly. Yet, I'm simply doing something you asked me to...and you're screaming at me. You're the problem. You've always been the problem, not me. Understand?" She stated calmly, raising her brow at me challengingly as she smoothed my hair out one more time.

I closed my eyes tiredly, not wanting to have this conversation right now. I'm not in the mood for any of her mind games.

"I just.....I mean...it's a lot of attention I'll be receiving. After everything that just happened, I figured it would be better to lay low. Not broadcast myself, live, to every news station in the country. I mean, you didn't do this for Katsuki Bakugou, once he returned from Kamino, for that exact reason. So, why are you doing it for me?" I asked, crossing my arms in question.

Not even missing a beat, Diane already had an answer prepared. Which can only mean, she was expecting a response like that from me.

Hm.

"Katsuki Bakugou is a first year student, who had a team of heroes and students carry him out of Kamino, like a little baby boy. He's too young. Too new for something like this. Definitely an eye sore to the public when it comes to stage persona. Now, you. You've been groomed for this, Ari. You're Hourglass. The student hero, only a few months away from graduating, who busted herself out of the league of villains facility all by herself. That looks incredible for your publicity, and for the hero commission training regiment. So, see? It all makes sense why we're doing this now." She explained, finally removing her manicured fingers from my face to pull out her phone.

I pursed my lips in thought, still not completely onboard with this.

Sure, it's great publicity. She makes a point there. But, this is not what I meant when I asked Diane to do something about my kidnapping.

I was thinking something more along the lines of creating better security policies at the UA dorms for the students. Or ensuring every school has an HFRA.

Which, by the way....I still have no idea why mine didn't work-

"Don't worry, Ari. All you have to do is stand there and look pretty. I will do all the talking. Well, me and Hawks, if I can ever find that little bird brat. Not only is he a symbol for the hero commission, he's also your boss, and the number two hero, which is why he needs to be here. He'll bring even more attention and publicity to this event, with just his mere presence. Seriously, where is that boy?" She growled out, aggressively typing a text on her phone. Most likely to Keigo.

I chuckled nervously, remembering how I left Keigo this morning.

Even though he had finally changed back into his hero costume, he quickly plopped back down on my bed, joking about how he was going to ditch this whole thing and go back to sleep.

I thought he was joking. I didn't think he'd actually go back to sleep-

"Mornin', ladies." A cocky voice suddenly chirped from behind Diane and I.

Sure enough, there was Keigo...completely decked out in his hero suit, crossing his arms proudly. His vermillion wings were spread out, wide and majestic behind him. He had that smug grin on his face, his attitude was completely changed from when it was just the two of us in my room a few minutes ago.

And that's when I knew...

Keigo Takami was currently on standby. The only person here at the moment was Hawks.

That's okay. He needs to put on his little show. I get it.

"Where the hell have you been?! I've been calling and texting you for ages, you little bastard." Diane growled at him in annoyance, causing Hawks to let out an obnoxious laugh.

"Heh. Not the first time I've heard those words before, boss. Get in line." Hawks grinned at her, his lips curling into an even bigger smile when her face started to practically fume.

"Keigo Takami, I swear-" She started, trailing off when she got a look at his face.

Oh shit-

"What the hell happened to your face?!? It's tarnished!!" Diane exclaimed, grabbing Hawks' chin between her fingers and yanking him towards her.

What happened to his face? Oh, you see, I punched him-

"I flew into a window." Hawks stated quickly, resisting the urge to look over at me.

Nice one...

"Again? Seriously, Keigo. I thought you were more intelligent than that." Diane scoffed, yanking off his protective glasses to look at his bruised, beaten face.

"Eh. What can I say? It was a really clean, glass window. It's a bird thing. You wouldn't understand." He shrugged, boldly meeting her eye contact.

Wow. He's so tough around her. I wish I could be like that...

"Thank god for that." Diane muttered, opening another small bag now-full of stuff for Hawks.

That's how it is, growing up groomed to be a hero. There's always a bag full of hair products, make up, extra costume touches, and so forth, to make sure we look presentable at all times.

After all, isn't presentation and image the most important part of being a hero...

Diane's cold, emotionless eyes began scanning Keigo's appearance, deciding what she wanted to pick apart today.

"Your feathers need a preening, they're starting to get too fluffy and unruly-and let me fix your hair, and put these on." Diane commanded him over and over again, tossing him a much darker pair of glasses to cover his black and blue eye.

Hawks grabbed the glasses, appearing completely unfazed by her insults.

"Damn these are dark. People are gonna think I smoked a fat joint, before going on stage or something." Hawks muttered, reluctantly sliding on the glasses.

Diane ignored his comment, clearly already so done with his shit, as she continued fixing his bed headed hair. He cringed slightly when she began harshly yanking extra fluffy, or bent feathers out of his wings, preening them in a, not so gentle, way that looked painful.

Hawks cleared his throat uncomfortably as he let Diane do a quick preen on his wings....turning his attention to me now to distract himself.

His beautiful, bird marked eyes weren't visible through the dark sunglasses. But, even so, I didn't need to see his eyes to know he was shooting me a cheeky, knowing look.

He pressed his lips together, trying to suppress a smile at the sight of seeing me.

I resisted the urge to give him some flirty eyes, not needing another excuse for Diane to want to kill me.

Keigo's mouth suddenly opened now, making me groan internally when I realized he was about to speak.

Just like Hawks to always try and rock the boat.

"Ari. Glad to see ya safe, back at UA. You gave us quite a scare there, going missing and all. I look forward to seeing you back at the Hawks Agency." Hawks stated professionally, with a very small smirk present on his face.

Before I could even respond, Diane spoke up.

"And I still don't know where you were through all of this." Diane scoffed at him, shooting a glare of growing fury.

That's right. Diane thinks I still don't know that Keigo's a double agent. Now that I do know, I guess it's okay to tell her the truth. Right?-

"I told ya. I was working. I wasn't around." Hawks explained vaguely, raising his brows at her challengingly.

What?

Why is he still lying? He could have told her the truth right then and there.

From what Keigo's told me, Diane is the only person who knows everything about his double agent mission.

So, why lie now?

I remained quiet, trying to decide what he was playing at here.

Keigo purposely kept his attention away from me, obviously trying to stick with his story.

I don't understand.

Diane's the one who gave him this double agent assignment.

Now don't get me wrong...

Diane's a bitch. A major bitch

But, I know for a fact that Keigo trusts her. She's the one who raised us to be special heroes, him more than me. She knows every in and out of what he's doing with the league of villains, because he tells her.

So, why would he keep my knowledge of it a secret from her? Obviously, it's something that seems important enough to mention.

Hm. Now, I'm intrigued.

But, I'll trust him now and ask him about it later. Privately.

Diane and Hawks looked at each other in tense silence for a little while longer, passing the point of uncomfortable long ago.

"So you say." Diane finally muttered at him through gritted teeth, only backing down when Present Mic started announcing the start of the ceremony onstage.

I watched Keigo's shoulders visibly relax once Diane stopped questioning him, making me realize that even though he played it cool....he was still intimidated by her presence.

I couldn't blame him, obviously. I'm the same way.

His wings ruffled up once Diane finally stopped plucking out his feathers. I pressed my lips together in amusement as Keigo's fingers suddenly began rubbing through his feathers in a peculiar, twitchy way that made it evident his bird instincts were starting to come out.

"Anyways...what's the point of all this? I dunno what's going on, but it looks and sounds like a big waste of time. Why am I here?" Hawks asked Diane bluntly, shoving his hands in his pockets as Present Mic hyped the crowd up for whatever the hell was about to happen.

I still didn't really know, myself. I mean, I know what she told me, but the woman is famous for ulterior motives.

Diane likes to toy with people and play games. I have no idea what game she's playing right now.

"It's Ari's celebration ceremony. You're her boss, and the number two hero, so I'd like you to say a few good words about her, too." Diane commanded him matter of factly, causing Keigo to immediately swipe the dark glasses off his beautiful eyes.

He looked at Diane in utter disbelief, suddenly running an anxious hand through his hair. His cocky Hawks attitude was faltering slightly now.

"Come again? Did you just say, celebration ceremony? As in, big news crews, and country wide reception? Are you trying to draw attention on her from every villain in Japan? She's just been kidnapped, why would you do something like this right now? She should be kept out of the spotlight, if anything! Not thrown into it!" He exclaimed, looking completely confused and taken off guard by this whole thing.

"Thank you. That's what I was telling her." I blurted out, surprising myself for being brave enough to chime in.

Don't worry, I'm not fooling myself. I know I'm only brave enough because Keigo's here now. I'm pathetic.

Visibly fuming now, Diane held her hands up at both Keigo and I to shut us up.

"I don't need you two gaining up on me. God, this is why I try never to be in the same room with both of you. It's like you...feed off each other or something. Think you can just go around disrespecting me whenever you'd like. Well, you can't. So listen to me now..." She scoffed, quickly continuing a moment later.

"Ari, you are having this ceremony. As I've already explained, I'm trying to do something nice for you, and frankly, I'm offended and hurt that you're so set on rejecting my offer of kindness. Get over it, and stop being such a drama queen already." She spat at me, causing Keigo to scoff at her words as he got ready to bite back.

Oh no. Stop it, Keigo.

"She's not being a drama queen, at all! Don't talk to her that way-"

"And you..." Diane spat, turning to him aggressively now. She was much more angry now, than when she was talking to me.

Keigo's eyes widened for a split second with fear at her tone, before he quickly tried gaining back his hero exterior.

That...makes me angry. The fear she's instilled in him....it makes me angry.

The corners of Diane's mouth turned up, into a proud, powerful smile. She saw his fear before he could repress it. She knows she still controls him.

She slowly walked closer to him now, trying to make herself look more menacing in his eyes.

Keigo tried holding himself together, looking at her through bored, half lidded eyes. But, I noticed the way his feet shifted uncomfortably in their spot on the floor.

"You, little Keigo..." She started off lowly, causing Keigo to let out a forced, dismissive laugh.

I don't like the way she's treating him-

"I'm not happy with you, lately. You've been very defiant. You're lashing out. You're not returning my phone calls. I never know where you are. It's very unlike you, and I expect better. I've put a lot of time and money into you, and I want to see the pay off. I won't stand to be disappointed by you. Are we clear?" She stated firmly, causing Keigo to roll his eyes dismissively.

His defense mechanisms are working hard.

"Whatever...sure." He shrugged, only causing Diane to get more angry.

I jumped slightly when she suddenly grabbed both sides of his face between her hand, yanking him down to her level harshly.

His wings fluttered anxiously, as a few stray feathers fell to the floor.

"What did you just say to me?" She threatened lowly, watching as more traces of cocky Hawks quickly began fading from his demeanor.

"I-I'll do better, alright? I said I'll do better." He mumbled quietly, appearing to look at the ceiling in boredom.

But, I knew he was really doing it because he was afraid to meet her gaze.

And unfortunately, Diane knew it, too.

She fought back a smirk, trying to appear as though she wasn't enjoying this. But, she clearly was.

"Why don't you look me in the eyes and tell me that again, timid boy." Diane mocked at him, causing something to suddenly snap inside of me at her last words.

Timid boy.

Flashes of last night suddenly rang through my head like a movie, as I remembered the image of Keigo sobbing into my chest....distressed.....sad....scared.....muttering how "no one likes a timid boy," for probably, an hour straight.

My feet moved on their own as I marched over to Diane, and before I knew it, I had my hand on hers....firmly removing it from Keigo's face.

His brows raised in utter shock at my actions....and so did Diane's.

Silence consumed the space as everyone waited for me to speak.

Well damn. I don't really want to, anymore....

But, I can't back down now. Keigo doesn't deserve this. I need to stay strong and do it for him.

"Don't treat him that way. He's the number two hero, not a dog. And he's not timid. He's brave. Braver than you, braver than me. And you're lucky to have him." I blurted out...my words were calm and steady. Confident, and fearless. I didn't even realize I was looking her in the eyes, until I noticed her pupils widen in disbelief at my actions.

Keigo's mouth fell open slightly, clearly surprised at my words. I'm not usually the one to step in. He's always the one who has to save me from Diane.

Diane narrowed her eyes at me, starting to walk over to chew me out now.

Well, here we go-

However, Keigo walked over, too...standing next to me in an instant for support.

Diane stopped walking, furrowing her brows at his movements.

Keigo's shoulder brushed against mine, his giant wing involuntarily nudging me in the back from how close he was.

"Let's just...calm down, everyone. Okay?" Keigo stated firmly, gaining back some of his Hawks exterior as he spoke the words. Yet, his eyes remained locked on Diane when he said them, clearly only speaking to her.

Once again, Diane was quiet...slowly looking from Keigo to me, as we stood directly in front of her.

Tense silenced consumed the three of us, as the loud, excited cheers of the crowd were heard a few feet away.

Diane stared at Keigo and I in lost thought for a moment, clearly thinking about something.

I can only imagine what she's thinking about right now.

She chuckled dryly after a few seconds, as her eyes went dark with irritation.

"Heh. As I said before....this is why I'm never in the same room with you two, together. You're like little fruit flies who feed off each other's garbage personalities." She spat out, as my name was announced on the stage now.

Letting out a sigh to detox herself from Keigo and I, Diane turned back to us....her authority back in full throttle now.

"This conversation is far from over, but for right now....fine. You want me to be the bad guy? Guess I'll be the bad guy then..." She sighed, shooting an evil threatening glare at Keigo and I that made us both tense.

"Both of you, worthless, stupid, good for nothing kids.....get out there on that stage now, and show everyone how a good, fucking hero acts, before I take away your privileges of ever being one again."