Linked Paths

Arc I - Closer to You [Chapter 1: If I were You, or am I?]

Walking through the police wing, I wonder why it had to come to this. Me in Kacchan’s body for I don’t know how long. What a pain!

Now, Kacchan is taken to another room by Niiboshi-san, accompanied by his mentor Endeavor, whereas I am going with Akutsu-san and Sir Nighteye.

About 45 minutes later, my questioning by Akutsu-san is over. With a deep sigh, I step out of the room. Slowly but surely, I notice the exhaustion. I would like to be for myself now and wallow in self-pity. However, there is still a short meeting with the principal. After that I must calm down my mother and then I can finally be alone.

At this moment Kacchan comes out of the room next door. When I see him like this, in my body, I wince inwardly and tense up. Getting used to this situation to some extent is going to be difficult. Of course, I would like to get back to normality as soon as possible so that I don’t have to get used to it in the first place, but somehow, I have the bad feeling that it can take a while...

Akutsu-san: “Thank you again, young Midoriya, young Bakugou, for your time. Your information helps us a lot. My partner and I are doing everything we can to catch the villain.”

Shortly thereafter, we part ways again. While we walk with our mentors in the direction of the principal’s office, we still receive brief organizational information.

Sir Nighteye: “As long as you are under the influence of the quirk, you will be exempted from your part-time job on weekends.”

According to my contract, I will continue to be paid for three months in such incidences. At least then I don’t have to deal with money worries as well. I can’t burden my mother more than I already do. If the swap drags out longer than that, it’s going to be a pain in more than one way.

Sir Nighteye: “Only the smallest necessary circle of people at our respective agencies will be informed about this, needless to say.”

Endeavor: “We will also invest from our side and keep both eyes and ears open for useful information. As you know, we are in permanent exchange with the U.A. anyway.”

Sir Nighteye: *nods in agreement*

When we arrive at the office, we say goodbye to Sir Nighteye and Endeavor. For them as managing directors, it’s most likely now back to their respective agency. Principal Nezu and Aizawa-sensei are already waiting for us to give final instructions regarding the situation. As was to be expected, we are not allowed to participate in the practical modules that require quirk usage for the time being. Other practical modules are only allowed with acceptance of the teacher. I don’t really mind that, more the opposite. Especially since I don’t believe I would be able to handle Kacchan‘s quirk without further ado either. We are allowed to participate in the theoretical classes if we feel like it. Only our class and the teachers in charge are informed about our precarious situation. That’s fine with us, too. Both Kacchan’s and my squad would find out one way or another. At the latest, if the others observe us even a little bit, they will smell the cheese anyway. It can’t be avoided, living together in the dorms. I can already imagine their faces. Urgh~, uncomfortable!

Some more information is exchanged, and we are finally discharged. My headache has gotten worse. No wonder. I’ve been under power all the time since I left my room this late morning.

Kacchan and I head to the students’ dorms to search for our mothers. No one says a word. A strange atmosphere hangs between us. I wouldn’t know what to tell him either. Not that we had much to say to each other in general.

First, we check my room. The lock signal shows green, so their whereabouts are clear right away. Immediately as I open the door, my mom is already literally jumping out at us.