"So the big boss isn't gonna be here today huh?" Robinn said, leaning dramatically across Bluejay's desk, her weight on her elbows as if she were lounging rather than waiting for instructions. Tokoyami stood a few steps back, arms folded, his skeptical expression making it clear he wasn’t buying her theatrics.

  "Yes, as I said before, he'll probably be gone for a couple days." Bluejay sighed, pushing away a stack of papers.

  "So we're gonna go on patrol, right?!" Robinn leaned forward eagerly, her face only inches from his. Her eyes had that spark, the kind that made her look like she was ready to bolt out the door at any moment.

  Bluejay leaned backward in his chair, caught off guard by her proximity. He still wasn’t used to how quickly Robinn’s moods could swing from bored to animated. "Yes, we're going. But wait until afternoon, okay?"

  That was enough for her. Robinn straightened up with a grin and shot Tokoyami a look, one he returned with a sharp, amused smirk.

  Bluejay rose from his chair and walked toward the corner of the office where the coffee machine hummed. "Since you guys haven’t actually seen any real action yet, I’m just taking you out for the afternoon patrol today. The rest of the sidekicks will cover the evening shift." He poured a cup, steam curling up around his face.

  Robinn raised her hand high like she was back in a classroom, a motion so quick Bluejay almost chuckled. He nodded toward her.

  "I'm not disagreeing, but I do have some experience with real hero work if that helps."

  Tokoyami cut in with a dry tone. "So what, you’ve beaten up some delinquents?"

  Robinn shook her head. "No, I’m talking about the middle school hero course I took in America."

  Bluejay nearly spilled his coffee. His brows shot up as he crossed the room in a few long strides, setting the cup down with a clatter. He slid into his chair, wheels screeching faintly as the sudden movement sent him drifting an inch sideways. "That’s right! I was reading your file and wanted to bring that up."

  He pulled open a folder, scrolling through pages until Robinn’s record came up. She blinked, surprised by the detail. Gymnastics rankings, course evaluations, and even the hero training notes. Everything academic, nothing personal.

  "That course was held by the CC Corporation that year, right?" Bluejay asked, glancing up.

  "Yeah, it was. We didn’t actually fight real villains, but we did a lot of simulations and training. They even had a Quirk improvement class." Robinn leaned back, satisfied to find her file only scraped the surface of who she really was.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  "Cool. Well then, I’ll see you guys outside in a few hours. Go get some rest or something." He turned back to his papers, already absorbed.

  Tokoyami gave a small nod toward the stairs. Robinn accepted the cue and led the way out.

  ---

  Afternoon crawled by. For once, waiting felt worse than training. Robinn found herself pacing until she finally gave in, suiting up early. Tokoyami, equally restless, joined her outside the agency doors. Both stood ready in their hero costumes long before Bluejay appeared.

  When he finally emerged, the pro hero looked them over and jerked his head toward the street. "Y’know, I’m still surprised Hawks scouted you two. It’s the first time he’s scouted anyone from the U.A. Festival." His eyes flicked across rooftops and alleys as they walked, a practiced rhythm of vigilance.

  Robinn’s curiosity spiked, though she bit her tongue. Bluejay wasn’t the one she wanted answers from.

  "I looked into the crime stats of Fukuoka," she said instead, keeping pace. "It’s mostly petty theft, right? Not crime rings."

  Bluejay shook his head slowly. "Kind of. Organized crime as a whole has mostly disappeared thanks to All Might. Even more so in cities with top-ten heroes. Hawks especially, since he can be everywhere at once. But criminals adapt. They’ve gotten smarter. Subtler."

  Tokoyami cut in, voice low. "So as soon as people realize Hawks isn’t here today…"

  "Today’s gonna be a crazy day," Bluejay interrupted with a grin. He looked back at them briefly, teeth flashing. "So be vigilant. Be ready to spring into action."

  They both nodded, tension running through their postures.

  The words had barely settled when a thunderous explosion rattled through the air. Then another, closer. Bluejay snapped toward the first blast instantly. "Kids, you’re allowed to fight. Head to the second one, I’ll take the first."

  He slammed the rings around his arms into the pavement, launching himself forward in a blur of motion. Dust and pebbles whipped back at them as he vanished, leaving Robinn and Tokoyami staring after him.

  Robinn moved first, sprinting toward the second blast. The speed of a pro had humbled her in that instant. He was gone in seconds. She cursed under her breath, frustration bubbling. Still too slow.

  Behind her, Tokoyami unleashed Dark Shadow, the quirk’s silhouette looming as he followed. Robinn glanced back, a thought sparking.

  "Hey, Tokoyami! Have Dark Shadow push me as hard as he can, then grab onto me!" She turned back to the street before he could object.

  "What?!" Tokoyami barked, his feet pounding the ground. But his eyes flicked to her feet, already shifting. He understood.

  "Tell me when you’re gonna do it!" Robinn called.

  Dark Shadow surged forward, claws settling firmly on her shoulders.

  "Now!"

  Her feet froze into sleek ice, and momentum carried her forward. Dark Shadow shoved with all its might, sending her rocketing down the street. Tokoyami lagged for a moment before remembering the second part, Dark Shadow wrapped around her torso, yanking him along like a kite.

  Robinn slid with terrifying speed, ice screeching against asphalt as cars blurred past. Tokoyami flailed, nearly clipping bumpers, but the momentum dragged him along in Dark Shadow’s grip.

  "Robinn!"

  "What?!" she shouted into the rushing wind.

  "We need to TURN!" His arm pointed right, though the gale bent it into a half-flail.

  Robinn’s eyes widened at the dead end rushing toward them. Her brain ran hotter than her lungs.

  "Tokoyami, get ready to let go!" she warned, body tensing.

  At the intersection she hardened her form to steel, heels carving into the road. The sound was shrill, sparks flying as she became an anchor. She swung herself sharply to the side, momentum whipping Dark Shadow and Tokoyami with it around her. His boots skimmed the building corner, missing by inches, before he let go.

  He and Dark Shadow hurtled down the new street, crashing headlong into a group of thugs hauling bags of money. The impact knocked them sprawling, groaning under Dark Shadow’s weight.

  Robinn sprinted after, feet slamming the ground as she caught up. By the time she arrived, Tokoyami already had Dark Shadow pinning the three robbers to the asphalt.

  She caught her breath, sweat dripping down as she pulled out her phone. Bluejay answered instantly, voice sharp. "Robinn, I’m heading your way. The explosion I chased was a decoy, you’re dealing with ATM robbers. Be careful!"

  "Don’t worry. We handled it. All three are down," she said evenly, glancing at the approaching police sirens. Blue and red lights spilled into the street, washing the scene in color. "And it looks like no one was hurt."