"No man or woman who tries to pursue an ideal in his or her own way is without enemies." - Daisy Bates

XXX

Masami Rin made his way onto the floor's balcony with a glass of champagne between his fingers. He made his way to the railing before leaning against it and letting out a sigh. He stared at the glass before taking a sip. And then, he spat whatever touched his tongue back into the glass. He groaned as he set it aside, letting his head hang.

"God, these things aren't my scene…" he murmured.

A voice brought his attention backwards, "Mr. Masami?"

The CEO turned to find the first Quirkless Hero stepping onto the balcony, "Ah, hey, kid." He smirked, "Why're you out here? Lover's quarrel, already?"

Midoriya blinked, "What?" Masami gave a quick look over the teen's shoulder, noting a silhouette of a certain rocker upon the glass door. "Oh, no, not that." The broccoli rubbed his arm, "I wanted to apologize for canceling so last minute."

"No, you don't have to." He nodded, "You're right. It's Edith's night. Give the other Quirkless Heroes a chance for the spotlight, yeah?"

"Yeah... That's... pretty much it."

He blinked, "Ah, your suit's still here, though. Last minute, you know."

"Of course."

Masami's gazing shifted upward. The abyssal blue above them was dotted with shimmering white. All finished with the bright moon climbing through the sky. A painting upon a cosmic canvas, it was. Everything felt small, and the millions of problems turned weightless and insignificant.

Midoriya's voice dragged him back into their plain of existence, "Why're you out here?"

The man shrugged, "Eh… I just got a little tired." He rubbed his temple, "You'd think these crowds and parties would get easier. But…"

"Yeah… The Sports Festival was the biggest crowd I had ever seen, but still-"

Masami teetered his head, "A room filled with admirable people is just as nerve-wracking. Gotta look good, act good, talk good… Don't do anything to embarrass yourself or… everyone else." He sighed, "The list goes on." His arms crossed, "I do miss the days of just inventing and making. Getting my hands dirty." He smiled, "God, it was fun working on your suit."

"Well, thank you for the help," said Midoriya as he bowed. "And thank you for taking me here."

A shrug followed, "Thank you for… going along with my selfish desire…" He scratched his nose, "Hey, I know you won't, but I want to say it anyway." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Don't let Hatsume go. Or Shinso. Or Jirou. Or Melissa. They're good people. The type to stick around despite it all."

Midoriya nodded, "Of course."

"Excuse me?" spoke a voice alongside the squeak of the door.

The teen spun on his heel, "Oh, uh, hello?"

A face of a middle-aged man poked into view, "Ah, you are out here." The door shifted before he stepped fully into view. He pulled the hat from his head, holding it close to his chest. After a sweep of his hand, his black hair laid neat upon his head. A push from his hand fixed the position of his glasses, clearing the glare from his green eyes. The formal wear on him was fitting, but still stuck out with subtle embroideries.

Jirou followed after him, pushing the door further open, "That's what I said." The scowl she held suggested enough for the Quirkless teen to frown in turn.

Midoriya crossed his arms, "You've been looking for me?"

The man bowed as he stepped forward, "Sorry, I was just so excited to meet you. I just couldn't help myself."

Jirou shook her head, moving to stand beside the Quirkless Hero, "No kidding…"

Another bow as he gestured with his fedora, "My apologies, allow me to reintroduce himself."

Masami moved from the railing, standing in line with the teens, "Soma…?"

"Yes, I am Fujita Soma, the Director of Fuji Industries."

The CEO smiled, tucking one of his hands into his pocket, "I'm-I'm glad you could make it."

Fujita only spared a glance towards the other adult, focusing solely on the younger, "Yes, well, I just needed to see the Quirkless Heroes in the flesh." He extended a hand and flashed a smile, "I don't know many of us in that way of life."

Midoriya hesitantly shook it, "Ah, you're Quirkless then?"

"Yes, that I am," laughed Fujita. "I was Masami's partner years ago."

The mentioned adjusted his necktie, "Y-Yes… I'm surprised you showed."

A smile faltered and neared the edge of a frown, "Despite my… feelings towards you, I saw this as my duty in solidarity to, at least, make myself known."

Midoriya looked between the two, faltering his own smile, "Well, uh, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Fujita's smile returned in full force, "Your work is quite impressive. Revolutionary."

Deku shook his head, "Thank you. But I didn't do it alone."

"Ah, good of you to give credit where it's due," said with a hint of bitterness. "I also wanted to extend an offer to place your stock in my company. Support work is wonderful for those who defend us. However, those technologies aren't exactly well spread amongst the public. Public security has naturally advanced, but every system has their holes and errors." He reached into his blazer before extending a business card, "If you ever wish to help my company and advance society, just give me a call."

Midoriya blinked before taking the card, "Oh, okay. I will keep that in mind."

Fujita chuckled, "All I ask." He straightened, placing his hat upon his head, "With that task completed, I must go."

Masami stepped forward, "Al-Already?" He smiled, "I could introduce you to people." He adjusted his tie, "Help you net-"

"I have my own network, thank you," spat the other.

The CEO deflated, "R-Right…"

The Director shook his head, smiling, "Not to mention, heights aren't really my scene."

Masami nodded, straightening, "Of-Of course…" He coughed, "The barges are still active, so you shouldn't have any trouble."

Fujita bowed, "Have a nice night." He pulled open the door before hesitating in his exit, "Oh, and do get inside soon, it's rather chilly."

Midoriya nodded, "We will." When the door swung shut, he let out a breath, "That was… Weird…"

Jirou nodded in turn, "Yeah…" She tilted her head, "You knew him?"

The elder rubbed the back of his neck, "Yes… He was my old partner when I was starting off the L.I.H.T. Organization."

She raised a brow, "I'm guessing there was a falling out?"

Masami nodded slowly, "Yeah… You could… You could call it that."

Midoriya turned to her, "Was he rude to you?"

"Pushy. Not like he shoved me around or anything; just… annoying." She rubbed her arm, "Sorry, I know you wanted this to be a private conversation."

Her living broccoli smiled warmly, "Thank you for helping me and putting up with that." His head tilted, "I'll make it up to you."

The elder, like a child, made a gagging noise.

After a glare was shot at the man, she spoke, "You're wel-"

Only to be interrupted by Asuka Sora, "You're welcome."

The rocker clung to the Quirkless teen's side as they both yelped, "AAHHH!"

"Oh, it's Asuka," quickly muttered Midoriya as Jirou's voice died.

Masami's hand clutched his chest, "I don't know what got me more… You or the screaming."

Jirou shook her head, "Wait, were… were you there the whole time?"

"Yes," stated the questioned.

"I didn't even notice you!"

The CEO spoke, "Her Quirk. It's passive and it's like a perception filter of some sort. The damn Quirk doesn't allow you to acknowledge her."

Midoriya blinked, "R-Really?"

"Yes," stated Asuka, suddenly, from beside him.

After the trio jumped, Jirou frowned, "Even when we're talking about her?"

Masami rubbed the back of his head, "Yep." He then chuckled, "Heh, don't get me started on that interview."

"I am also here to inform you that Ms. Falk has finished her conversation over the phone," she bowed.

"Ah, thank you," said he as he bowed. "Keep her company, I'll only be a moment longer." He blinked, "And, she's gone." With a glance across the balcony, the couple noticed the secretary's disappearance. "Let's… Let's head inside." He was met a hesitant array of agreement before they left the night sky behind.

The trio walked side-by-side; Jirou tilted her head to meet Masami's eyes, "Thank you for inviting us."

"So long as you don't drink the champagne, it was no problem," he said with a shrug. "Everyone in your party came, right?"

Midoriya nodded, "Yep! We actually ran into a few of our classmates."

The elder blinked, "Ah, really?" He rubbed the back of his neck, "That Todoroki and Bakugo got invited, I remember that much." His head tilted, "Mr. Yaoyorozu's daughter as well."

"Yaoyorozu/Yao-Momo's Dad?" asked the couple.

"Yes, he has a share in my company too." He teetered his head, "You don't find a lot kids your age here." He shrugged, "Mostly cause these types of parties are mostly meant for networking, small talk, bragging, and jeering." His hands slipped into his pockets, "So, I'm happy there are plenty of people for all of you to talk to." He chuckled, "To be honest, once the announcement was made, I was gonna let you all go after some handshaking."

Jirou frowned, "That bad?"

Masami sighed, "The reporters can be pretty bad. Especially in this climate since you're especially in the limelight."

Midoriya's face fell as he rubbed his arm, "Yeah… I try not to think about it."

Another voice entered the fray, turning the conversation towards a German blonde, "Mr. Masami, Jirou, G-Green!"

The Quirkless Yuuei student turned to her, waving alongside Jirou whilst murmuring, "Ah, there that is."

She smiled, "It's cute."

He affirmed, "It's great."

"I'm so glad, you're here." Edith nodded, "It wouldn't be right to have this party without you."

Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck, "Sorry about canceling on the presentation."

The CEO chuckled before peering around, "Asuka?"

She popped over his shoulder, causing everyone to jump, "Yes?"

Once Masami recomposed, he spoke, "Could you check with David? See if he's ready for the presentation?"

She nodded, "Of course."

Midoriya put his hand on his chest, "That passive Quirk's really something."

"Passive Quirk?" After a repeated bit of exposition, she tilted her head as she turned to the CEO, "What made you hire her?"

"Knew her when I was just starting the L.I.H.T. organization. Promised her a job after she helped me get my car out of a ditch."

The rocker smiled, "She cashed in then?"

Masami chuckled, "Yeah." He nodded, "She's been good to me ever since. And with that paycheck, I think that I've done good by her."

She popped into view, "Mr. Masami?"

He jumped, alongside the others, "Ah! Yes!?"

She replied, "David is ready."

Masami nodded to Edith, "Ah, well, we better get on stage."

Edith seemed slightly disappointed, "Oh, okay."

He turned to the couple, "We'll talk more after the presentation."

Midoriya smiled, "We'll be here."

Edith gave an excited wave to the couple as she walked away with the CEO, "Talk to you later!"

Midoriya waved, "Good luck…" He whispered to Jirou, "Or is it break a leg?"

She smiled and waved, murmuring, "No idea…"

-\ XXX /-

The Doctor sent one last picture to the Yakuza before nodding to Whiplash who raised a hand to her ear, whispering, "Everyone in position?"

-X-

Kurogiri stood outside the doors of the banquet hall as men and women in armament of varying kinds stepped out of his void of violet wisps. One with illuminating flesh and glowing eyes took point, dictating the group into positions around the door. "Yakuza are in position. Shifting to place Machinist and Cthulhu in theirs." He created another portal before it consumed itself and he dissipated.

-X-

The Machinist stood before the security console within the tower that lofted over Helios at its center. Yakuza tightened zip-ties around the skeleton crew of a security team's wrists. A cloud of violet wisps appeared behind her as her irises glowed. The screen of the console glitched before the system bleeped.

Her hand touched her ear, "Security is ours. Moving to secondary position." She turned on her heel as a Yakuza with skin of multiple colors and hazel eyes took a seat at the console.

-X-

A Yakuza member kicked the last of the engineering crew into a small closet before slamming the door shut. He placed his hand against the metal wall before his fingers glowed. His skin shifted to silver as flesh gave way to metal. "Kill switch is secured." He then directed other members to their positions.

-X-

Shuichi Haru/Apollo, and Arin Akira/Set made their way to the edge of Helios. Before them was the whirling turbine that held the city in the sky. "First leverage is ready to be obtained." Apollo's hand glowed with a vibrant red energy while Set's glowed with a pure white light. They shared a look before firing the beams into each other's sides. Their bodies coursed with their individual energy before raising their opposing hands. A ball of red energy built up in Apollo's hand while a ball of light formed in Set's.

"We hold for go."

XXX

AN: Not much to say. We're finally gonna hit the kick-off. It's been long time coming. And I hope this works. Lot of set up for this and planning. Monthly schedule just adds to the build-up, of course. So... Yeah, this is gonna be a thing.

Till next time, criticize away, leave your comments and thoughts in a review, and thank you for reading!