The days following the USJ incident had flown by. Classes resumed their usual pace, albeit with a notable increase in security. The atmosphere at UA had shifted from relaxed confidence to cautious professionalism.
For Ren, the week had passed faster than he was able to process. He had started a relationship with Hagakure and had even lost his virginity to Bakugo's mother; everything was happening at such a speed that he felt like he was moving on autopilot.
Two secret relationships with beautiful women, Ren thought as he checked his phone for the third time that night. My past self would never believe this is real.
Midnight's message had arrived that afternoon:
"Meet me at the UA rooftop entrance at 9 PM. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Bring water. We will be out for at least four hours. Don't be late. N.K."
Now, standing in front of the bathroom mirror at 8:45 PM, Ren examined his reflection critically. He wore black joggers, a dark gray compression shirt that Mitsuki had bought him after complaining that his old workout clothes fit him "pathetically baggy," and running shoes that had cost more than his monthly rent.
I look like someone about to rob a convenience store, he thought, or someone starring in a low budget action movie.
He grabbed a small backpack with water bottles and energy bars and headed out.
*****
Ren reached the rooftop access door at exactly 8:58 PM. He was about to knock when the door swung wide open. Midnight stood there. She wasn't wearing her usual hero costume; instead, she wore what looked like a modified tactical version: a dark purple bodysuit that covered more than her regular outfit but still hugged every curve, knee high boots with reinforced soles, and a utility belt with several pouches. Her signature mask was in place, and her hair was tied back in a high ponytail.
"Punctual," Midnight said with approval. "I like that in a partner."
"Sensei," Ren greeted. "Thank you for this opportunity."
"Forget the 'Sensei' while we're on patrol," Midnight said, stepping aside to let him onto the roof. "Out here, we're colleagues. Call me Midnight, or Kayama if you prefer something less formal."
"Got it, Midnight."
The rooftop offered a panoramic view of the city. Lights stretched out in every direction, creating a constellation of urban life.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Midnight said, walking over to him. "I never get tired of this view. It reminds me why I became a hero in the first place."
"To look at pretty lights from tall buildings?"
Midnight laughed softly.
"To protect all those people down there," she corrected. "Every light is a family, a business, someone's life. Our job is to ensure they can sleep in peace." She turned to face him, her expression becoming more serious. "Before we start tonight's patrol, I need to ask you a few questions. Only honest answers. Your safety and mine might depend on them."
"I understand."
"Do you know martial arts?"
Ren considered the question carefully.
"Basic self defense," he admitted. "Nothing formal. I took some karate classes when I was younger, but I never got past yellow belt."
Midnight nodded, though her expression suggested she wasn't entirely satisfied with that answer.
"That's what I feared. Your physical condition?"
"I've been training a bit," Ren said. "I can run five kilometers without stopping now, and I've been working on my arm strength to handle more weight."
"Good," Midnight said. "Physical fitness is crucial. But tell me, what happens if you're in a situation where you can't use your Quirk?"
Ren felt a slight hollowness in his stomach.
"I hadn't really considered that scenario thoroughly."
"Most students don't," Midnight said, though her tone wasn't critical. "That's why field experience is important. In controlled training at UA, you always have your Quirk available. Out here? The real world doesn't play fair."
She walked toward the edge of the roof, gesturing for him to follow.
"Look at those buildings," she said, pointing toward the commercial district. "Three kilometers of urban environment. Narrow alleys, crowded streets, buildings with complex designs. If a villain with a Quirk nullification ability corners you in one of those alleys, your telekinesis becomes useless. What do you do?"
"Run," Ren said immediately.
"And if you can't run? If they have reinforcements or there are civilians in danger?"
Ren was silent for a moment, thinking.
"I would have to fight hand to hand."
"Correct," Midnight nodded with approval. "Your first instinct to run was good. Never be ashamed of a tactical retreat. But if you have to fight, you need basic combat skills. That's why, starting next week, I'm adding combat training to our patrol schedule."
"Combat training?"
"Two hours before every patrol," Midnight confirmed. "Nothing fancy, just practical street fighting that could save your life." She turned to face him directly. "I know it sounds harsh, but I've seen too many promising heroes get hurt because they blindly relied on their Quirks. You're smart, Hayashi-kun... I mean, Ren. You proved that with your leadership at the USJ. But intelligence is useless if you're unconscious in an alley because you couldn't defend yourself for thirty seconds."
Ren nodded, appreciating her bluntness.
"I understand. I'll take the combat training seriously."
"Very well, enough theory. Our patrol route tonight covers the commercial district, specifically the entertainment zone. Bars, clubs, late night restaurants. It's Friday night, so it'll be busy."
"What kind of incidents should we expect?"
"Drunk people fighting, mostly," Midnight said. "An occasional theft, maybe a mugging if we're unlucky. The area has been quiet lately, but that can change fast."
They headed toward the access door. They went down from the roof and exited through a side entrance of UA. A sleek motorcycle was parked nearby, black with purple accents that matched Midnight's suit.
"Do you know how to ride?" Midnight asked, pulling a helmet from the cargo compartment.
"In the passenger seat, I assume?"
"For now. Eventually, you'll need your own transport. Most heroes have vehicles for rapid response."
She handed him a helmet and hopped on the bike. Ren climbed on behind her, very aware of how close they were sitting.
"Hold on," Midnight instructed, "and try not to enjoy the ride too much."
She knows exactly what she's doing, Ren thought as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
The motorcycle roared, and they shot off into the night. The ride to the commercial district took about ten minutes. Midnight drove with confidence, weaving through traffic. Ren found himself genuinely impressed by her control of the vehicle.
They parked in a designated hero zone near the main entertainment street. Midnight secured the bike and gestured for Ren to follow.
"Rule number one of patrolling," she said as they began to walk. "Stay alert but don't look paranoid. We want to be visible enough for criminals to think twice, but accessible enough for civilians to feel safe approaching us."
The street was full of people: couples on dates, groups of friends bar hopping, office workers unwinding after a long week. Neon signs advertised everything from karaoke bars to late night ramen stalls. Music spilled out from doorways, creating a cacophony of different genres competing for attention.
"It's loud," Ren observed.
"It's Friday night," Midnight replied. "This is actually pretty quiet. Wait until we patrol during a festival. That's when it gets really chaotic."
They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes; Midnight nodded to people who recognized her. Several civilians smiled and waved, clearly pleased to see a pro hero on patrol.
"You're popular here," Ren noted.
"I patrol this district regularly," Midnight explained. "They like seeing familiar faces protecting their neighborhood."
She stopped suddenly, turning her head toward a side alley.
"Do you hear that?"
Ren concentrated. Above the ambient noise of the street, he could hear raised voices coming from the alley. Angry male voices and a female voice that sounded frightened.
"Trouble?" he asked quietly.
"Possibly. Let's go take a look. Remember, observe first, then act. Most situations de-escalate just with a hero's presence."
They approached the alley entrance naturally. As they got closer, the situation became clear. Three young men, likely in their twenties, had cornered a woman against the wall. One of them was holding her purse.
"Good evening, gentlemen," Midnight called out pleasantly. "Is there a problem here?"
The three men spun around. Their faces went pale as they recognized Midnight.
"N-no problem, Midnight-san!" the one holding the purse stammered. "We were just... we were just..."
"Returning that woman's purse?" Midnight suggested helpfully. "Because it looks like you were holding onto it without her permission. That would be theft, which is illegal."
The man practically threw the purse at the woman, and the three of them tried to bolt in different directions.
"Ren," Midnight said calmly. "Would you mind?"
Ren extended his hand, using his telekinesis to trip all three men simultaneously. They fell hard, sprawling onto the alley floor.
"Thank you," Midnight said. She walked toward the fallen men, pulling zip ties from her utility belt. "Gentlemen, you're under arrest for attempted robbery. You have the right to remain silent, though I'm sure you'll want to give your explanations to the police."
In a few minutes, a police cruiser arrived. Midnight handed over the three perpetrators and took a statement from the grateful victim. The entire incident lasted less than fifteen minutes from start to finish.
"That was anticlimactic," Ren observed as they resumed the patrol.
"Most incidents are," Midnight said. "The truth is, hero work is ninety percent deterrence and visibility, nine percent minor incidents like this, and one percent truly dangerous situations."
"But that one percent..."
"That one percent is why we train so hard and stay alert," Midnight concluded. "Because when that one percent happens, lives are on the line."
They continued their patrol for another three hours. Most of it was quiet: walking the streets, talking to local business owners, helping a drunk office worker find his way home. But Ren found himself fascinated by the rhythm of it all. The way Midnight read the crowd, sensing tension before it escalated; the way she positioned herself to be visible to both potential troublemakers and nervous civilians. The subtle body language that communicated authority without aggression.
*****
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
I've got a new weekly challenge for you that's a win-win for everyone. If we hit 600 Power Stones and keep the comment section active, I'll drop 3 bonus chapters this Sunday, on top of the regular schedule!
But wait, there's more. We recently hit 1.2M views, and honestly, you guys are incredible. So, here's a special goal: If we reach 2M views by Monday, March 30th, I will do a massive release of 10 chapters—that's over 25,000 words for you to binge-read!
How can you help? Recommend the story to your friends, share it around, and don't forget to drop your Power Stones! More stones means more visibility, and more visibility means more views.
Let's make it happen! See you Wednesday for the next chapter.