—What you did was very reckless. You must be more aware of your capabilities and not overestimate yourselves too much— Mei gently scolded while peeling some apples for the trio in the room.
Iida awkwardly lowered his head, Midoriya blushed for some reason, and Todoroki silently contemplated the kunoichi, admiring her simple ruffled dress hugging her figure.
—M-Mei? I-I heard that you fought against a Nomu...— the One For All holder timidly murmured.
—That's right. What about it?— she tilted her head.
—W-w-well... — Midoriya trailed off, still finding it difficult to talk to girls. Especially Mei, who he must admit, is quite pretty.
—Isn't that equally reckless?— Todoroki questioned calmly.
—No, it isn't— Mei shook her head.
Seeing the three of them staring at her with a "Seriously?" expression, Mei sighed and began to explain.
—Look, first of all, that Nomu was nowhere near as strong as the one at the USJ. If it were, many of the heroes who tried to contain it would have died in a matter of seconds.
Secondly, if I could face a stronger and more dangerous Nomu and come out unscathed, why wouldn't I do it with a weaker one? And thirdly, you are here injured and exhausted, while I am not— she stared at the trio, adding with a smug smile.
—I didn't get hurt, or even exhausted, because I know my capabilities. I know what I can and cannot do— the kunoichi concluded as she brought them three plates with chopped apple slices.
—But you have a bandage on your forehead— Todoroki pointed out.
—That doesn't count. For all you know, I cut myself while plucking my eyebrows— she shook her head again, and Todoroki yielded.
The four ate in silence, Iida pensive and disappointed in himself, while Midoriya cast worried glances at Mei.
Unlike the other two, he did know about the small stir the kunoichi caused.
Seeing his classmate stained with blood and toying with an eyeball made him shudder. The effect was only amplified because that same girl had just peeled an apple for him.
His reflections were interrupted when Gran Torino, Manual, and a tall, dog-faced man entered the room.
Mei's gaze intensified upon noticing the last figure, and she wisely slipped to one side, pretending not to exist as only a kunoichi could do. Unfortunately for her, the dog-man's eyes never lost sight of her.
—Greetings, young ones. My name is Tsuragamae Kenji and I am the Chief of Police of this district— the dog-man introduced himself courteously.
Midoriya and Iida were about to stand up and give a formal greeting, but Tsuragamae stopped them with a rather bad pun.
His gaze swept over the injured trio with curiosity and a touch of respect.
—I am truly impressed that you were able to defeat the Hero Killer. I suppose it's to be expected from UA, the talent they cultivate is on another level... However, there are some matters I would like to discuss with you, pups.
—Um, what would that be, Mister Chief of Police?— Midoriya asked nervously.
—It's about the Hero Killer's injuries— Kenji began.
Mei was gradually moving toward the exit, her steps stealthy and slow while maintaining a smiling face, as if she wasn't doing anything suspicious, while Iida, Midoriya, and Todoroki received the lecture about the excessive use of their quirks when dealing with criminals.
Suddenly, Kenji's long arm stretched out and patted the girl's head, stopping her in her tracks.
—Not so fast, little one. You, more than anyone present, must stay here— the chief of police stated, and Mei was forced to receive the entire boring lecture.
After that, the internships continued normally for almost everyone, except Tetsumaru, who had an awkward discussion with Thirteen and Midnight in Nezu's office to explain the commotion between the two teachers.
Mei was forbidden from leaving Endeavor's agency for the rest of her stay and was forced to work as an errand girl for everyone in the office, which was to the delight of all the workers.
**************************
Tetsumaru walked home after his last day under the guidance of Thirteen. He had to admit that to become a qualified hero for rescue situations, one must study many things.
It wasn't as simple as using sand to put out fires, sand to reinforce buildings, sand to protect and transport people, and sand to locate victims trapped in strange places.
The incarnation of the Third Kazekage was more than willing to learn everything he needed. While he didn't plan to dedicate himself entirely to that area like his sensei, specializing wouldn't hurt either. Being a Hero didn't just mean participating in great battles.
His Satetsu was that versatile, its manipulation was insane. Why not take full advantage of it? That didn't mean he would stop being a decent fighter.
Thoughts like this filled his mind, occupying and distracting him from a persistent ache in some corner of his being. He could guess its origin, but he wanted to keep his promise until the end.
This internship time was an opportunity for both halves. An opportunity to give each other some space and see how they handled the distance.
Since they arrived in this world fifteen years ago, they have never been apart for more than a whole day. Even when they are not very close, their connection allows them to know the other's approximate position within a radius of almost two kilometers, and communication is possible at more than 700 meters at this point.
Personally, Tetsumaru didn't mind. He never found Mei's presence annoying, not once in this life. She was something he would never tire of, something he would never get bored of seeing or hearing.
But he wasn't sure if it was reciprocal. At this point, he could no longer affirm that he would know absolutely everything Mei was thinking.
The time passed, his other half was growing, changing. She was no longer the same as three years ago, when their strange relationship began, and definitely not the same as when they arrived in this world.
—Tetsumaru, Tetsumaru, Tetsumaruuu!— Mei shouted through their bond; the increasingly shorter distance allowed her efforts to pierce the veil that Tetsumaru had placed on his side.
He had been struggling not to receive her communication, as they had promised to keep things in the realm of normal until they both met at home, but Mei didn't give a damn and started bothering him as soon as she entered the 700-meter range.
—I hear you, Mei. I'm almost there— he replied with a mental sigh that made the kunoichi laugh.
Minutes later, he arrived home. As soonumaru closed the door behind him, a blur of movement lunged at him, arms and legs of smooth, white skin wrapping around his torso.
The momentum forced him back until he hit the door, his lips assaulted by those of his other half in a passionate frenzy.
In that moment, as he returned the hug and the kiss, Tetsumaru thought that, after all, the time away did work for something.