She didn't let go of his hand. "Aren't you... afraid?"

It was like she was also asking herself the same question. Throughout her living in poverty, she was fighting to survive. In the back of her mind, she didn't care to be reckless. That's why she has so many injuries.

Pushing herself to the limits. Not caring if she dies in the process of it all. Yet fear holds her back like and instinct. It's a bit conflicting with how she feels. (It could be the same for him...)

Who is she to ask?

It's like she's talking to herself. To not do these things anymore.

"You can't do this to yourself." Like she's any better. She felt confused and sad. Her facial expression she masked it to look like she was putting on a tough act.

Dabi's hand squeezed hers tightly. His smile became wider, but the pain became clearer as well. "I'll do whatever I want. The only thing I care about is my goal, so once I accomplish that...I'll have no reason to continue living anyway! What better way to die than to die while doing what you live for?"

Satoko flinched since it hurt the burns on her fingers. "Stop it."

It wasn't the pain that was bothering her the most. It was the way he was talking. "Don't you dare even say that."

Maybe it wasn't annoyance towards him. She can feel that he's suffering too.

Dabi let go of her hand. He turned his back to her. "It doesn't matter anyway. It especially shouldn't matter to you. Well, get some sleep. Don't want those burns of yours to get worse after I spent so much time taking care of them."

He didn't mean to say that last part. He didn't really care though. Any embarrassment that he felt was completely gone. His emotions and thoughts were going out of control again.

The way he let go of her hand was almost..careful? Like he realized it hurt her hand that he did that? It must be her imagination. It didn't seem likely.

The fact that he was the one that took care of her wounds shown the amount of effort put into it. Confused to how to even comprehend any of this, she went to go to bed. She needed more rest anyway to heal.

....

As Hawks landed near the dorms, he ruffled his hair in frustration. He didn't want to leave Satoko.

Not there.

Stupid.

Getting all worked up over a woman. Feelings are strange. They don't make you think clearly in certain situations.

He remembered how she looked eating food. The warmth of her sleeping against his shoulder. Those long lashes on her resting, pretty face.

Why of all women, did he fall for Satoko? She wasn't exactly charming. But her willpower and words just stood out to him. It actually moved his heart to see someone, who he still thinks, is quirkless.

(She really is strong.) He thought in admiration. What he would do to keep her by his side. To gain her trust.

But he's afraid of losing her completely to Dabi. That scumbag. He made up scenarios in his head that Dabi was actually abusing her.

No.

The way he held onto Satoko was something that was surprising to him. Like Dabi was actually caring for someone?

Really?

This was jealousy Hawks was feeling. Dabi was right. He does want Satoko. But not for bad motives.

Just to be with her.

Not wasting anymore time with his thoughts, he put on his fake, laidback expression while heading back to Endeavor.

Endeavor was outside with the chatting students. Mirko was there as well. Endeavor brought his attention to Hawks, with a firm expression.

"Where were you?" Endeavor asked.

Mirko's nose twitched slightly. One of her eyebrows raised. "You smell like burnt flesh. Did ya have a run in with Dabi again or something?"

"Yeah." Hawks waved his hand dismissively. "I tried to stop him from taking that woman. But he escaped from my grasp." He lied.

"Why are you after that girl?" Endeavor frowned. "Not only that, you protected her."

"She's a victim. She was forced against her will to join the League of Villains." Hawks tried not spilling too much information. "Not only that, she's quirkless."

"Quirkless?" Endeavor folded his arms. "Are you serious, Hawks?"

"Huh?" Hawks tilted his head.

"That woman has some sort of quirk that made me go into a trance." Endeavor scowled. Hawks couldn't even believe what he was hearing.

Sunset? Having a quirk? There's no way Endeavor is lying to him either. He wouldn't have a reason to.

"Are you sure she isn't tricking you?" Mirko asked towards Hawks. "Villains can be good at deceiving. That's why we gotta defeat them all!"

"No," Hawks defended. "She's not a villain. I rescued her before from them. There must be more to it."

"She should at least try to resist." Endeavor harshly pointed out.

"She tried to!" Hawks retorted. Endeavor was a bit surprised from how Hawks was talking. "Did you even see her hurt anyone?"

Endeavor paused a moment. The only person who was doing severe damage was Dabi. Momo was knocked out, but she didn't get hurt. "It doesn't take away the fact she was targeting me. Open your eyes."

"Don't you think she was trying to stop the fight in her own way?" Hawks shook his head. "Would you have listened to her?"

"I'm sorry that I couldn't be there this time around, but I think I'll take Hawks's word for it," Mirko commented. She smirked as she shifted her balance from her heels to her toes and back again. "Why don't we go beat those other villains up first when the time comes and then see where she stands?"

Endeavor grumbled.

Hawks was trying to conjure up why Satoko has a quirk now. There's more secrets with villains that he needs to unfold.

But then again, Satoko is a whole mystery itself. Not on public records or anything. Her whole existence is suspicious.

Not that she is to blame, but someone is.

"We should make it a priority to have her back safely." Hawks stated. "No matter what the case is."

"Hawks, you better be right about this." Endeavor growled. "I can't take you seriously half the time."

It was strange to Endeavor how Hawks, who is usually carefree and sarcastic, was acting.

"Hoo boy." Hawks put on his goofy smile. "I sure am causing you a bunch of trouble, huh?"

Never mind. He's the same.

Endeavor grabbed Hawks's collar angrily. Hawks kept his smile on his face. "Mind telling me what's going on, boy?"

"That's not good for your blood pressure." Hawks kept his act up. Endeavor growled. He can't win with Hawks acting like that.

"HAWKS-"

"Oh yeah." Hawks removed Endeavor's hand from his shirt. "Are all the students ok?"

"While you were away, I checked up on Bakugo because I heard that he was injured." Mirko spoke before Endeavor had a chance to. Sometimes, she liked to do things that she knew would annoy him just because it was funny to her. "I did a team up mission with him once. He's a fun kid. Murderous. We get along pretty well, so he didn't mind me paying him a visit."

Of course those two would get along. That didn't come as a surprise to anyone.

Mirko continued. "His injury was due to the 'villain' inside the building which they found out was just a clone. He lost a large chunk of skin from his hand. The way he was attacked with that decay quirk made it almost seem like the clone was trying to skin him alive. I personally think it was just a stupid, clumsy mistake on the clone's part." She shrugged.

"Recovery Girl said that she will heal him after he gets some rest and he will be his normal angry self again." She nodded towards Endeavor. "And your son?"

Endeavor averted his eyes away. "I talked to Shoto about his recovery process."

Shoto didn't seem too keen with him visiting him. Usually, Endeavor would tell him to suck it up. To just take it. That he would be fine.

Endeavor doesn't know what Shoto was thinking though. "Shoto has medications being transferred from the hospital. He'll be ok due to that fact."

He turned his back in thought. This is just a minor thing he can do. Even if Shoto never forgives him, this is all that matters to him now.