Sam was currently in a room with the three other kids from his class. He hurt his arm when the hero killer threw knives at him. They were all in their own individual bed in the room.
"Were you able to sleep, Midoriya?"
Todoroki asked Midoriya, sitting on his own bed.
"No, not really."
"I figured. Me neither."
He then looked at Sam.
"What about you?"
Sam scoffed.
"Yeah right."
They ignored that.
"Thinking back on it now, we did something amazing."
Midoriya said looking up at the ceiling.
Todoroki agreed.
"Well… I think you guys did good. What better opponent than that scumbag for a first opponent."
Todoroki noticed something.
"You really despise him, don't you?"
Sam rolled his eyes.
"That's an understatement. He's a selfish prick. That's all there is to know."
Todoroki nodded.
Sam tuned out the rest of their conversation, finding his mood worsen just from the thought of Hero Killer Stain.
'That guy sincerely believes in his cause. He thinks he is doing the right thing. That's the worst kind of evil. Evil that doesn't even acknowledge it is evil.'
Sam was brought out of his thoughts when the door opened, revealing the old geezer named after a Clint Eastwood movie, and a guy with a fish helmet. Of course, Rumi was there as well.
"Rumi."
"Yo! How's the arm?"
"Fine. I could have stitched it myself."
She just scoffed.
"Yeah right! You ain't a surgeon!"
Sam just rolled his eyes.
"You injured youngin's are awake, huh?"
Gran Torino interrupts.
"Gran Torino!"
Midoriya lit up.
"And Manual!"
Iida saw his mentor.
Gran Torino marched up to Midoriya.
"You idiot! I could yell at ya for hours!… but first, you have a guest."
They all looked and saw the dog headed man.
"Oh. Jesus Christ."
"Suzuki. Long time no see. Woof."
Sam knows good and well who the dog man was.
"Kenji Tsuagamae. Chief of police."
Sam met him when he was being processed after being discharged from the hospital. He wasn't too thrilled giving his pals some holes in their hands.
The three students perked up at that. They immediately try to get up, seeing they are in the presence of someone so distinguished.
"No, please stay seated. Woof."
He stops them from rising. However, Sam didn't even try to rise. Him and the Chief have some beef. Mainly because Sam was the one to shoot some of his buddies. While the chief spent time growling at him in the precinct.
"So you're the U.A. students to take down the Hero Killer?"
"Yes, we are."
Todoroki answered.
"Stain has some serious injuries. He has burns, broken bones, and his gut received such a strong punch he will likely need a liquid diet for a few weeks. Woof. He is under strict guard at the hospital. Woof."
The chief clearly said the last part looking at him, seeing as it was broadcast all over the nation.
Sam rolled his eyes.
"Good."
They all looked at Sam who said that.
The adults, minus Mirko who is trying not to smile at Sam's rudeness, glare at him.
"This is serious, Suzuki. Woof. You all should have known already, but since Quirks became mainstream, the police force had to work harder to keep things in order. But they decided to not use their Quirks as weapons. That was left to the heroes."
Sam rolled his eyes again. He really cant stomach the rules of this country. It must be because he was raised in the lawless war zones of Africa.
"They could do what we couldn't, if they are licensed, of course. Woof."
Sam gritted his teeth.
'Only because you let them do everything. License? That's gonna be useless in the future. I promise you will come to regret it, pooch.'
Sam thought to himself, thinking about how stupid this society is and how doomed it is.
"It's impossible to condone the use of deadly quirks. Woof."
Sam really didn't want to hear this, but seeing as Rumi isn't leaving, it seems he has to tough it out alongside her.
"We are here to stop such harm from happening. Pro's can use their powers because of the strict codes of ethics they must follow. Thus why it is against the law for uncertified people to use their quirks."
"Oh! How amazing! So the reason All Might is so strong is because he has a flimsy little license! It must be magical or something if that's all it takes to be a super hero!"
Sam says with clear sarcasm. Unable to hold back anymore.
Once again, they glare at Sam.
Gran Torino looks ready to pummel Sam and Sam could swear he hears a small growl from the chief.
"That's enough, Suzuki! Woof woof!"
"Alright, alright."
Sam decided to just ignore this because he is likely unable to handle hearing this guys bullshit any longer.
Sam just stared at the ceiling, thinking about what he did today.
'I… I was worried for that brat, Iida. I felt relieved seeing he was still breathing. Fuck… I'm starting to like these brats aren't I?'
Sam thought about this and believes that he is growing more accustomed to this pansy society full of weaklings who are destined to meet a rude awakening to reality.
'I need to keep a boundary. Even if part of me is tired of standing alone.'
Sam thought to himself, believing he shouldn't allow himself to grow attached to the kids.
'*I'm so sorry, Sam.*'
'*Live… Samuel.*'
He remembered the final moments of his two closest companions.
'I can't get too attached. It's… it's for the best.'
Sam just stared at the ceiling.
He then heard something that ticked him off.
"Whether you were up against the hero killer or not, none of you had the authority to hurt him. You 4 and your supervisors, Gran Torino, Manual, Endeavor and Mirko, should receive severe punishment for this gross abuse of your powers."
Sam felt his eye twitch.
"Well isn't it too bad, I don't have any powers to abuse. So technically, I was just a citizen who was just using his mundane body to protect himself. No quirk usage in sight. So that means, Mirko didn't do anything wrong."
Once again. He growls.
"You are correct. But you still used a lethal weapon, an army knife, against someone. Weapons are just as dangerous as quirks. Woof."
"That's nitpicking. Are you seriously this petty?"
Sam spat out, annoyed.
"Yeah! If Iida didn't step in, Native would have been killed! If not for Midoriya, Sam and me, both of them would have died! No one else realized that the hero killer was in Hosu. Should we have just stood by and watch as people died?"
Todoroki challenged.
"Calm down guys!"
Midoriya tries to calm Sam and Todoroki down.
"So it's okay to break the law, as long as things go your way?"
Sam scoffed.
"No. But it's worse to worship it. You cops might as well open a church, worshipping the government."
Sam was really getting annoyed. He hated this shit.
They all looked at Sam with shock.
Sam heard the chief growl even more.
"One more word, Suzuki, I'll send you back to the pound! Woof!"
Sam just rolled his eyes.
"Alright, alright, chill Sam. You should hear him out… but still, that was kinda funny."
Mirko tries being a responsible adult, but she can't help but laugh at Sam's rebellion. She finds it hilarious.
"Mirko…"
The chief gives her a stern look.
She just waves him off.
Todoroki then interrupts.
"But sir, isn't it a heroes job to protect people?"
"But you aren't heroes, you are students."
Todoroki was getting pissed now.
"You damn mutt!"
Sam smirked a bit, unable to hold it back.
"Stop there kid. You will want to hear this."
Gran Torino interrupts.
"That is the official stance of the police. Punishment would only be necessary if it went public. But, if we said it was Endeavor who initially stopped the hero killer. You might not get credit, but you won't be in trouble. Luckily for you Suzuki, despite being filmed gutting Stain, nobody could charge you for that."
Sam raised a brow.
"That's… understanding. Huh. I thought you cops all had giant sticks up your asses, guess you're alright."
Another growl came from the chief.
The others looked shocked, yet relieved. None of them really cared about clout.
"Either way, we'll need to take responsibility as negligent supervisors."
"Rumi, please tell me that they didn't punish you too?"
She scoffed.
"Yeah freakin' right. I didn't do anything wrong, so I'm all good!"
She gave Sam a cocky grin.
Gran Torino and Manual both felt like they had their hearts ripped out by Mirko's taunts.
Iida walks to Manual and bows.
"I'm sorry for not listening to you."
"You caused us a lot of trouble. Remember that, and don't do it again."
Manual playfully hits Iida's head.
"I'm sorry too."
Midoriya says that to Gran Torino.
"Me too. Please take care of it."
Todoroki apologized to the chief.
Then they all looked at Sam.
"What?"
They kept waiting, anticipating him to say something.
He rolls his eyes, yet again.
"Fine… I'm sorry for being such a pain in the ass. I thought you would be another slave to the law and throw the book at them. Seems you're alright."
The chief nods.
"And I apologize for holding a grudge against you. I admit. I was angry with you for hurting some of the officers. But I understand that you were very ill at the time. Woof."
Sam and the Chief nodded in understanding.
"I know it's not fair that you won't be credited for stopping the hero killer, maybe Suzuki might, but still, as the chief of police, let me thank you."
He then bows.
Todoroki sighs.
"You could have just started with that."
Sam scoffed.
"I know, right?"
They all felt relieved that this matter can be resolved peacefully.
———
Not long after, Sam was discharged. His arms only needed a few stitches. Before he left, he went to see the boys.
He knocked on the door.
Knock! Knock!
"Come in."
Sam opened the door and entered. He saw Iida, Midoriya and Todoroki looking at Iida with concern.
"What's up?"
Midoriya looked at Sam.
"Iida got examined."
"Oh?"
Sam walked in and closed the door behind him.
Iida holds up his hand and looks at it.
"My arm, it might have long term damage."
He says, looking at his left arm with shame.
"Long term damage?!?"
Midoriya looked horrified.
"There was damage to my brachial plexus. I'll have trouble moving my hand and fingers. It might be able to be healed with nerve transplant surgery."
He had a sad smile now.
"I stopped being able to think rationally when I saw Stain. I should have got Manual. But I succumbed to my anger. I hate him, but he spoke the truth."
He then had a look of determination.
"That's why until I become a great hero, I will leave the damage as it is."
"Are you sure?"
Todoroki asks carefully.
Iida nods.
"Iida, I feel the same. Let's become stronger together."
Midoriya lifts his fist, showing off his damaged arm.
Iida and Midoriya share a moment of resolve. Both determined to grow.
Sam sees that.
"You are wrong about one thing, Iida."
They look at him, confused.
"You are wrong that Stain was right. What you did, while incredibly stupid, was completely normal. All animals feel hate for those who wrong them. I've seen animals that will fight someone to the death, not caring about their own safety, purely out of rage."
Sam puts a hand to his scarred face, feeling the claw scar throbbing a bit.
"So don't let the bastard weigh on you." Sam walks up to Iida and pats his shoulder.
He then looks at Midoriya.
"And you, you're full of surprises. You're starting to control that power better."
Midoriya blushes at that, remembering breaking himself all the time.
He then looks at Todoroki.
"And you. You're done letting the flaming diaper control you. You actually use the flames now. Good. That was dumb. The only way to make your old man look like a jackass is to be a kind and compassionate hero who couldn't care less about rankings. Just remember. All of you. Rankings don't mean shit when lives are on the line. It's not a game. And now you know that."
Sam once again starts seeing images of the horrors of his past. At him trying to save the lives of those kids in the canvas project, but being the only survivor. Also, his failure at saving Zola. His biggest failure.
Sam bit his lip. Feeling himself tear up a bit.
He quickly turns away from them.
"Anyway. Good work. I'll see you three when class starts again."
Sam quickly leaves them behind. Confused about his abrupt departure.
———
Sam steps out of the hospital and breathes in the fresh air, finally free from the smell of antiseptics.
"Damn. You look shitty."
He is snapped out of his thoughts when he hears a familiar voice next to him.
It's Rumi. She seemed to be waiting for him. She isn't wearing her costume. Just her casual clothes.
Sam saw that.
"So, you don't just wear workout clothes all the time?"
"Tch! You make it sound like I'm some muscle-headed broad!"
Sam just remained silent—But that silence spoke words to Mirko.
"You wanna get your ass kicked?!?"
She was ready to have a go with Sam right there.
"No."
He said plain and simply.
Mirko could tell he was not in a good headspace at the moment.
"Hey, how about we grab something to eat."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Why? You don't have to go out of your way. I was about to head back to U.A. they are probably pissed I had to spend the night at your place and then spent another night at the damn hospital."
She smirks.
"We can just say we got lost. I wanna have a bite with my friend."
Sam looked at her with wide eyes.
She just went out and said it. And by the smile on her face, he could tell she meant it.
He remembered Charles and Zola. He remembered their fates. And he also remembered his attempts to ward off the kids at U.A. out of fear of losing more friends.
But, was that how he wanted to live?
He didn't know.
But he wanted to try.
To try and actually live.
Not only for Zola. But for himself. He remembered the joy of sparring with Rumi and the comfort she showed him when he was remembering his past.
He felt… he could trust her. And maybe, he can start trusting others too.
He smiles back. Not a big one, but a small one.
"Yeah. Let's go."
They both nod in agreement and head back into the city.
Sam, walking a bit straighter, feeling as if a weight fell off his shoulders. Not a big one, but one that made his eyes hold something he thought was gone. Hope—thin, fragile, but warm