DISCLAIMER: NO, I'LL NEVER OWN MY HERO ACADEMIA BECAUSE I'M JUST A LOWLIFE WEEB WHOSE TOO DELULU! *spins in circles*

High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco

Mirko gif

Chapter 19: High Noon
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THIRD POV
KASAI THOUGHT THAT Mirko was at first just pulling her leg and overhyped the training. However the second she got suckerpunched in the gut by the said pro-hero, she knew that the woman was rather underwhelming the training instead. One punch and Kasai felt like dying right there and then. Just game over. End of the line.

Just how is it possible? Mirko was smaller and more slender than her father, but it seemed that she punched way stronger and harder than all the muscle in Endeavor's body. Kasai wanted it! She wanted that strength, that power! Because holy crap, maybe she fell on her head or whatever, but getting punched by Mirko just made her fall in love.

She definitely made the right choice of choosing the Rabbit Hero as her mentor.

Groaning, the Todoroki repressed the pain in her body and stands up. Looking at the dark toned woman through her newly short bangs, she scoffs at the sight of her standing so nonchalant. It just proves the point of how far distanced they are in strength. It's beyond comical. Basically comparing an ant to a boot. Kasai glowers at the imagery in her head before shaking it off.

Rumi eyes the girl as she struggles to stand back up, and smirks. "You should really listen to your body. But then again, you're not one to give up, huh," the pro-hero says, snacking on a carrot.

The white haired teen gives the woman a manic grin. "Heh, I'll listen to my body when it starts listening to my motives to keep moving!" She states as she finally manages to stand without her body wavering.

"Hmm, well it's no use if you run yourself into the ground. That's why I'm gonna give you a tight schedule while you're here with me. A normal day would look like this, wake up, eat breakfast, do a morning work out where I'm obviously going to push you, a thirty minute break, then you're gonna go with me on my morning patrol - which usually lasts for two or three hours, then we'll grab some lunch to refuel, then we come back here and I'll train you on what you need help on - which will last a couple of hours, then another break where you can refresh yourself and eat, and then we'll go on my evening patrol which again will last a few hours, and finally we come back to rest and end the day. How does that sound? You'll get plenty of training and advice from me while also getting first hand expirience on what a hero does. You up for it," Mirko explains to the teenager, giving an outlook for their week together.

Kasai hums in acknowledgement, tilting her head to the side as she thinks of the exampled schedule. She could see herself doing that and following the routine for the whole week. Her naturally rosen lips quirk up to a smile, excited.

"Yeah, yeah, that sounds like a great deal! A bit busy, but what can I expect from a top hero. Besides I can't complain, not everybody gets the opportunity to work with you, especially since you seem like the type to do all the work yourself," Kasai frantically nods as she agrees.

The rabbit eared woman huffs out a grin, crossing her muscle toned arms. "Hmph! Good, because I'm not easing up my work schedule just because you're a kid. And you're right, I do everything myself. I mean, why trust someone else to do things when I can do it myself while getting the better results," Rumi answers, verbally showcasing that she's not one for teams.

The young aspiring hero could see the older woman's point. Why trust someone to do something when you can do it herself? However, that could be her own trust issues that are surfacing. Kasai could never bring herself to trust people so easily, it always took her a while to warm up. Heck, look at her relationship with Mina, Kasai likes her, but she will never really share her darkest and most intimate secrets with her. The same goes with Bakugou, while she trusts him with certain things, it will take longer for him to know the things she holds close to her heart. I guess for a better explanation, no one really knows her to a whole degree.

Was that a bad thing? Not allowing people to know her? Maybe, but looking at her life, she doesn't really want anyone to have the ammunition to hurt her. Not again. The last time she fully trusted someone with her heart, her feelings, her desires, he left a gaping hole in her chest when he suddenly left while taking everything of hers with him.

Hmm, I guess losing Touya really messed me up, Kasai muses spitefully. Shaking her head, she gives a sour smirk, it's been years, but even thinking of him squeezes my insides until I can't breathe or function.

Closing her icy turquoise eyes, the youngest Todoroki represses her feelings and ignores them, pushing it away until they no longer exist. She knew that suppressing emotions were bad, but what can she really do? Growing up with someone like Endeavor, Kasai never really grasped the concept of allowing herself to feel. Sadness equaled weakness. Tears, weakness. Anger, weakness. Happiness, weakness. No wonder she was all messed up. She bottled and bottled all her emotions up to the point where they exploded, or in most cases, disappeared until they weren't considered a problem anymore. Maybe that's why she was always angry all the time, because she wasn't feeling her proper emotions?

Was I really so damaged that I'm barely starting to notice, the girl silently gapes at her own question. At this point, can anyone really fix this much emotional and mental ruin?

Maybe trusting only herself is a good thing after all.

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

KASAI LISTENED TO Mirko, since it was still the first day of her internship, and since she herself arrived there around noonish, she now had all this free time. Well, to be exact, and by following Mirko's quickly explained schedule, this so-called free time is her training time. So, unlike earlier where she was still dressed in uniform, she's now donning her hero costume. Because A, Mirko wanted to see how she moved in costume, and B, well... there's no second reason.

Standing before the Rabbit Hero as she assessed Kasai's costume, the girl grew nervous under the woman's scrutinizing gaze. The ruby red eyes showed nothing as they looked up and down the girl's figure. It felt suffocating to be in someone - no, in a professional's judgement. Is this how other people felt as they cowered under her blue gaze? If it was, Kasai didn't like it.

But hey, any criticism from Mirko, good or bad, was a positive in her book. Though, unless she was insulting her. That wouldn't be very positive.

"Good, good. Great design. The suit itself is very light, but not thin where it shows off your body. It's also modest, even with the sectioned off arm and leg it doesn't expose you. The best part is that it allows mobility, how do you move in it?"

"Uh, I move pretty well. No restriction or difficulty." Kasai informs, her tense body relaxing with the hero's approval.

Rumi nods. "I see, but I did notice that the partial sleeve on your right hand is new, along with the knee protector on your left leg, as well as the gloves. Why the sudden changes?" She questions, looking at the teen with crossed arms.

Kasai sheepishly smiles. "Well, the gloves are just extra protection for my hands. When I use my flames too much, my hands usually tend to blister, so I figured why not. It'll allow me to use flames for a longer period. The knee protector is basically just what it is, protection for my bare skin for when I'm skidding around on the ground. The sleeve is extra heat protection, but also to cover up my burn scars - I have nothing against my burns, but it could be jarring to the public eyes," she shrugs, answering her honestly.

The hero takes it in, understanding. "Truthfully, I could care less what other people think of me, but I get it. For heroes, the public plays a big role against us. They actually determine our popularity. If you're too rude, they won't like you. If you're too pleasing, they won't really trust you. If you look a certain why, they'll misjudge and stereotype you. So, you made the smart choice in covering your scars," Mirko advises with a frown, but smiles as she pays the compliment.

They may not have known each other for long, basically just meeting earlier today, but Rumi Usagiyama could actually see herself getting along with the young Todoroki.

"Alright, little bunny, since you're all dressed up and ready, why not put that costume to use and actually start your training! What do ya say," the woman grins, cracking her knuckles and flexing, excited to fight.

Kasai answers by copying her actions, "ready when you are," she says with her own manic grin.

"Alrighty then! First training lesson, speed! I know your fast when it comes to running, and your reaction time in fights are well, but let's see how you fair against a real pro, shall we," Mirko says as she enters a fighting stance, the muscles in her legs flexing.

The youngest Todoroki gulps, a bit nervous but also equally excited, anticipation in her blood. Spreading her legs in a widespread stance, the girl lowers her posture and prepares to make an instant move.

Rumi springs forward, and her body is immediately standing in front of Kasai like a flash of light. The white haired teen gasps, genuinely shocked as her wide blue eyes notice the incoming punch launching towards her as if it were a missile. With gut instinct, her body quickly lowers as she ducks under Mirko's muscled arm, missing the striking fist. Though, before she can even breathe, the hero's leg raises in a hot second with a directed kick. Gritting her teeth with exasperation, Kasai turns her already ducked body away with a swivel to the right, barely missing the kick.

Fuck! She's too fast. I could barely dodge her attacks, the girl curses as she escapes another racing punch at her. She's not joking when it comes to speed.

However, it's not another second before Kasai is hastily raising her arms to block a very fast and strong high kick aimed at her. The teen bites hard on her bottom lip as pain explodes on her arms, it's even worse with the fresh soreness of her arms. Spirits, it feels like my arms are going to be ripped off. Though, Mirko doesn't stop there, lifting the same leg the hero quickly reels it back before launching it at the girl with the same powerhouse speed.

Or it seems.

With the lightning quick movements of a natural harlequin rabbit, Mirko sweeps her left leg downwards and successfully kicks Kasai's boot clad legs from under her. It was like a bowling ball ramming into pins, no absolute mercy. Honestly, Kasai won't be surprised if her legs were suddenly amputated from her knees down by the sheer strength of the kick. So, as she falls to the ground of the hotel gym room, she cries out at the harsh landing.

Gasping as she's left breathless, the snow haired girl winces at the lump already forming at back of her head. She groans when she hears Mirko laughing.

"Damn kid, you're impressive. You totally lasted longer than I expected, haha. Twenty-eight seconds, I was sure you wouldn't make it past ten," the pro hero professes, grinning.

Kasai closes her eyes, moaning at her pained limbs. It's official, Mirko's going to kill me. I'm not lasting a whole week!

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

THE TODOROKI SPENDS her afternoon being used as the pro hero's punching bag, her whole body practically crying at every movement she makes. Of course, the girl made progress with every spar, but she was quickly rendered to the floor with new blooming bruises and aches. Clearly she stood no chance against the woman, the strength comparison was glaringly laughable.

Though, Kasai was aware that she was merely a student, a hero in training. She was barely a blip in the hero society, a grain of sand at best. So, she knew that she couldn't get too upset at their major difference.

It's the whole reason why she's here at the first place; to get better.

So, after a hot shower to relax her aching body and a takeout meal of spicy udon noodles with katsu chicken cutlet curry, the white haired teen was once again dressed in her hero suit. Sipping the last bit of her mango juice, she eagerly waits for Mirko down at the hotel lobby. By means, it's her first time patrolling. Not just with Mirko, but also as her hero alias - Solar Flare. Is she nervous, of course, but the excitement in her veins overtakes that feeling. She's pumped!

She's finally here!

She made it! All by herself! This is her legacy, and just hers. But what's more important, is that she got here without her father's help! All those days working herself to the bone, all those weeks pushing herself to go past her limits, all those months breaking her body to form a new stronger self, all that sweat, blood, and tears - she finally made her vision come true! The constant jeers of her father telling her to give up, telling her that she wouldn't make it, that she was nothing but a failure.

Well, look who's laughing now. Look who's shining amongst the stars! Nothing will stop her, not as long as she's holding a flame in her heart that shines like the sun! She will be constant and everlasting! She will forever burn like a beaming flare, full of high hopes!

With a confident huff, Kasai nods at her new goal to keep rising, to keep pushing forward. No more insecurities holding her back, she'll leave those negative feeling in the dust, along with her father. Despite his fire quirk, he's been nothing but a large negating shadow in her life, expelling and diminishing all of her victories and success. No more. When she makes her rise in becoming a hero, he'll be nothing but a memory - lost and forgotten. It's his own fault anyways, he burned the bridge with her and any semblance of a good relationship so long ago. She was just too blind to realize it.

She shakes off her inner thoughts when she hears the incoming footsteps, and represses the dour feelings her father brings up. Turning her head, Kasai's icy cool gaze meets Mirko's presence, and her lips instantly lift up to a genuine smile. The teen just meeting the woman today and she can confidently say that the hero is quickly replacing the spot for favorite that her father currently holds. Mirko is so much better in her eyes, a much more positive role to model herself after.

"Ready to go patrol the city with me, squirt? I usually don't patrol Hosu, but the hero commission assigned me the area due to the sightings of the hero killer, Stain. So, while we're out there just be extra cautious and alert, got it," the Usagiyama woman states with a tone of seriousness.

Kasai quickly nods, immediately pushing all personal matters to the back of her mind as she focuses on her new job. At this moment she's no longer the student, Kasai Todoroki, she's now the hero intern, Solar Flare.

"Alright. Are we solely focusing on finding Stain, or just keeping an extra eye out during the routine patrol," the teen asks, wanting to be fully informed.

"All we're doing is a regular routine patrol. The extra presence of heroes will add pressure and it'll eventually lead to finding him. Whereas I was assigned the area, I wasn't exactly assigned to find him. That's a job for the local heroes and their agencies to do. My job is just to be an extra set of eyes for the issue, if that makes sense. Though, it wouldn't hurt if I were the one to stop him, would it? Makes it more fun for me, haha," Mirko announces, finishing with a boasting laugh.

Kasai hides a grimace at the thought, not exactly wanting to deal with a killer on her first day. However, she's positive that the number six hero could easily handle a man like Stain.

Nonetheless, the pale starlit haired girl chuckles. "That would certainly make an interesting highlight to my internship," she admits.

Imagine if that's how I make my debut? Everyone else would be so jealous, she muses, thinking of the blatant look of envy that would paint Bakugou's face. Hilarious.

Rumi nods at the girls words, grinning. "Alright, since we're patrolling, we'll obviously address each other by alias. I'm Mirko, which I'm sure you already know. So, little bunny, what do I call you," she enquires, locking her red gaze with the girl's icy blue pair.

"Solar Flare, the blazing hero," Kasai reveals without hesitation, saying it proudly.

The rabbit hero hums in approval, nodding. "'Solar Flare', it's very fitting. It suits you well. A beaming light of hope, that's what your name says about you. No matter how dark your obstacles gloom, you will prevail and shine. Heh, how poetic," the honey toned woman smirks.

The Todoroki girl blushes at the theorized insight of her name. She honestly just picked the two things that Touya compared her to and meshed them together. Though, what Mirko said did coincide with her outlook on life.

With introductions done with, the two head out of the hotel and into the setting day of town as the sky dims into a hazy dusk. The young Todoroki feels the buzz of the city as they start walking the streets, the chatter of strangers and passersby, as the warm spring air kisses her skin. The city of Hosu is busy, full of noise, different than the estate that she and her family live in further inland. A different vibe which she seems to be liking.

As she strolls next to the Rabbit Hero, and her eyes glancing around and checking her surroundings, her ears perk up at the people's chatter. Especially, when they're being so blatantly obvious with their eyes or pointed fingers. Suddenly, the Todoroki feels small against their stares and whispers.

Do I smile? No, that would make me look crazy. Do I just pretend that I can't hear them? It's the best option. But what if I seem too cold and harsh? Then they won't like me. I should just copy Mirko. She's keeping a professional front, but she still exudes a welcoming warmth that people seem to like, Kasai thinks as she looks at the hero to her right, trying to mimic her expression and behavior. Mirko is welcoming to people, but it looks like she isn't the type for autographs or pictures. She just focuses on her task.

Eventually, her thinking comes to a stop as the said hero pats her right shoulder, bringing her back to reality. Like her quirk counterpart, Rumi could smell the nerves of the girl next to her. It's discreet, but still apparent to her keen nose especially when the nervousness hugely differs from her usual confident scent.

"No need to be scared, Solar! Just greet people if they come over to talk, basic manners is enough. Other than that, you just need to keep your eyes open for any signs of trouble or anything sketchy, got it. No need to stress yourself by overthinking," The Usagiyama woman soothes, clutching the girl's shoulder in show of comfort.

Kasai nods, letting her naturally stressed body relax. Well, that definitely helps a lot, heh.

She should be pumped, not nervous. But of course, leave it for her emotions to contradict themselves. That's one thing Kasai didn't like about keeping everything to herself because it eventually led to her becoming her own enemy. Her inner doubts which originated from her father's scalding jeers. Though, on the other hand, she had the motivation of Touya's supporting words to push her forward. At times, instead of feeling like a flame, she felt like a whirlwind - twisting and turning in a never ending cycle. But what can she do about it? Burden others with her feelings? No, because that's just pitiful. By means, they're her emotions and she should deal with them herself!

So, in the end, Kasai does what she usually does and represses her feelings. Though, just as she pushes them aside, her attention is quickly bought by a man running through the crowd, pushing others out of his way quite harshly.

"Ahh! Stop him! Thief! He stole my purse, my money," a lady yells from further back.

A purse snatcher, how obscene. He must be desperate; Solar Flare concludes as she follows the man with her icy glare.

"Mirko, do we step in," the young heroine asks.

The rabbit woman smirks, "Well, would you look at that! An insect came out to play," she states with a manic grin. "Let's show him just how unfortunate he is to cross paths with us, Solar!"

Seeing as the woman's bushy rabbit tail practically twitches at the anticipation of fighting, Solar Flare instantly ignites her new short hair into their signature white flames. Clenching her hands into fists, she grins with equal excitement.

"Let's go! I'm itching to set him on fire," the teen proclaims, ignoring the pedestrians who're stopping to watch.

Mirko grins even wider at the dare. "The one who fails to catch him first has to buy our meal after patrol," she incites.

"You're on!"

So, with a jump, they both dart after the running thief! Solar Flare triggers her boots aflame and rockets through the crowd and into oncoming traffic. She could see Mirko in her peripheral as she jumps over cares with ease, her movements a kin to that of a rabbit, dashing and darting with speed. Narrowing her eyes as her boots hit the street pavement, she takes a step before reigniting her flames. Well, since this is a race, she changes strategy to help her move faster than her outmatched opponent.

Instead of just lighting her boots on fire, Solar Flare gives herself a jumping boost on a car's trunk and simultaneously bursts her whole body on flames. She's like a beacon of light as her body ignites with white flaring embers. Smirking, she uses the momentum of the jump and pushes herself forward like a rocket - a dart racing towards her target. Since she's on fire, she could use the fire around her body to keep herself in the air, keep herself afloat. With that in motion, Solar Flare soars after Mirko in attempts to beat her in the race.

By means, Mirko is number six of the top heroes which means she's faster than fast, she's basically lightspeed itself. Yes, she's flying, but to go up against a pro hero? Ha, she'll have better chances at finally receiving a genuine compliment from her father!

Though, as she zooms above the pedestrians and the driving cars, the young Todoroki finds the Rabbit Hero up ahead, jumping yet another car. Her actions are so flawless as if it's an everyday occurrence. Who knows, maybe it is. Sticking her arms to the sides of her body, she leans forward and is immediately gliding after the older hero.

However, eventually what seems like several minutes, the chase comes to an end when the Rabbit like woman apprehends the thief by knocking him to the ground. Solar Flare arrives a second too short as she hovers down to the pavement, body still alite with daylight embers. Looks like she's buying their meal later. Oh well, it's not like it's her money. With breaking rules comes quick and swift fingers, so really, she'll mentally thank her father when she uses one of his many credit cards.

As Mirko hands Solar Flare the stolen lady's purse, she smirks at the teen, smug. "You need to be faster than that, Solar! Though, that's a nice trick you did back there, but it didn't help you beat me," she claims, laughing with a grin.

The teenage girl shakes her head at the teasing. "Yeah, yeah. It's not like I expected you to go easy on me. What can I say, it was a losing game from the start," she muses, giving a light hearted chuckle.

Oh well, it was fun to try, she thinks as she walks towards the owner of the purse.

She ignores the whispers and hushed awes from the pedestrians, even ignoring the comparisons that some make about her being like Endeavor with their flames. Is that all what people see? Do they only associate flames with Endeavor? It does make sense seeing as he's the Flame hero. What a bummer, it feels like she's still in his shadow.

Giving the woman back her purse with a genuine honest smile, Kasai reassures her that it was no trouble before making her way back to her hero mentor.

As long as I bear the name Todoroki, I'll always be compared to my father, By means, no matter how hard I try, the past will always cling to me, Kasai thinks bitterly.

If only there was a way to burn it away.

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Hey, hey! That was chapter nineteen, whoo! I told you all that I was gonna update soon! And look, I did!

So, what did you like, dislike? I know it wasn't much, but I wanted to give you guys a clue to what she was going to do during the week!

Also, I wanted to give you guys insight on Kasai's thought process, of what usually goes in her head and why she's the way she is - of how she's in a constant back and forward.

Was Mirko OOC, there's not much on Mirko and her personality, at least not in the anime. Maybe I need to read through the manga and the hero studies books to see more. Though, besides that, I do see Mirko and Kasai getting along very well! I mean they are similar in some ways, especially in their fighting spirit!

Ooh, another nickname acquired, little bunny! That makes five!

And oof, that whole body fire and flying move, well basically picture the Human Torch but in white! I told you - in the comments - that she was gonna fly! I'm excited to incorporate more of her flying in the incoming and future chapters! Mostly in her fights and battles! Like the incoming Hosu chapter!!! Aaahhh!!!

Besides that, I'm still going write more of her training, so what do guys want to see Mirko teach Kasai, or see Kasai do???

So, if you noticed, Kasai represses so much emotions, and anyone who knows anything about psychology, you know that's such a bad thing to do! Especially in the long run - I'll clue you in - repressing emotions messes you up mentally and emotionally, but also physically. So *smirks* is that a villain arc I smell?

Oh, Kasai you are so unaware of the pain and troubles you're going to go through, and for that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for making your story so painful, you were doomed from the start T^T *sad, but manic laughter*

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed!

Don't forget to COMMENT, VOTE, and FAN!!!

BYE BYE BUTTERFLIES~!!!

(Remember to stay safe and to take care of yourselves <3)

Word Count: 4,669