บท 16: Chapter 16: Difficulty: Hell...

(A/N: Hey guys, before we start I'd like to ask you all something. Since all of you feel that the relationship progressed way too quickly I was planning on creating a few chapters with the main focus in relationships. Are you guys ok with this? Or do you guys have a better idea? If you do then let me know. All right then I'm not holding you all here any longer, enjoy the chapter.)

The previous evening went by uneventfully. After showing me to the spare room, Mirko left for patrol without much small talk. I made myself a simple dinner, unpacked some of my things, and went straight to bed.

The next morning, I woke up early, feeling refreshed and ready to get started. After freshening up, I headed downstairs and found Mirko sitting at the dining table with a cup of coffee. Her breakfast—a bare-bones plate of toast and eggs—didn't seem particularly appetizing.

She glanced up as I walked in. "Morning, kid. Slept alright?"

"Morning. Yeah, it was fine," I said, heading to the kitchen. "How about you? Long night?"

She shrugged, sipping her coffee. "Eh, just the usual. Not much worth mentioning."

Nodding, I started checking the fridge and pantry for ingredients. "Mind if I make something? I could use a proper breakfast."

"Go for it," she replied casually, kicking her feet up on a nearby chair. "Just don't expect me to do the dishes."

I smirked at her comment and started cooking. I kept it simple—omelets and buttered toast—but as always, the smells of sizzling ingredients filled the air, drawing attention.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her ears twitching slightly as she sniffed the air. Before long, her chair scraped against the floor, and she walked into the kitchen, her sharp eyes narrowing at the sight of me cooking.

"That smells way too good for just breakfast," she said, crossing her arms. "What's your deal, kid? You some kinda pro or something?"

I chuckled, flipping the omelet effortlessly. "Not really. I've been cooking since I was thirteen."

Her eyebrows raised, though her tone stayed blunt. "Thirteen? What, your parents decide to throw you in the kitchen to fend for yourself or something?"

I hesitated for a moment before replying, "Not exactly. My adoptive parents passed away when I was thirteen, so I had to figure things out on my own. Burned a lot of stuff at first, but I eventually got the hang of it."

Mirko's expression softened slightly, though she kept her casual tone. "Huh. Guess you didn't have much of a choice, then. Still, that's a hell of a way to get good."

"It worked out in the end," I said with a shrug, plating the omelets. I slid a plate toward her. "Here, try it."

She didn't need to be asked twice. Picking up a fork, she took a bite—and froze. Her eyes widened slightly, and she stared at the omelet as if it had personally offended her.

"This... this is damn good," she admitted, still chewing.

"Glad you like it," I replied, trying not to smirk too much.

"Like it?" she said, pointing her fork at me. "If you weren't already my intern, I'd make you my damn cook."

I laughed. "Careful, you might end up stuck with me in the kitchen every day."

"Keep making food like this, and I just might," she said with a scoff, though the corner of her mouth twitched like she was holding back a grin.

When we finished eating, Mirko leaned back, looking satisfied. "Alright, kid. You're officially on dinner duty tonight. No arguments."

I raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? My food's got a bit of a... side effect."

Her ears twitched at that, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Side effect? What kind of side effect?"

"You'll see for yourself later," I said with a small grin, grabbing the plates to clean up.

Mirko crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. "Tch. Fine. I'm not scared of a little surprise. Now suit up—we've got patrol to handle. And don't drag your feet, I'm not wasting my day waiting on you."

"Yes, ma'am," I replied, already heading upstairs to grab my hero costume. Her no-nonsense attitude only made me more curious about what the day had in store.

After reaching my room, I quickly changed into my hero costume and headed back downstairs, ready to begin. When I arrived, Mirko was waiting by the door, her signature smirk accentuated by her hero costume.

"Took you long enough," she said, arms crossed.

"And here I thought I was fast," I quipped back, adjusting my gloves with a calm smirk.

Her eyes gleamed with a mix of challenge and amusement. "Oh, you're feeling confident today, huh? Fine, follow me—and don't drag your feet."

Without another word, she bolted out the door. I sighed, shaking my head with a slight smile, before effortlessly matching her speed. We ran side by side through the city streets, the early morning air crisp against my face.

As we dashed through alleys and across rooftops, I decided to ask, "So, where exactly are we going?"

Mirko glanced at me briefly, her smirk widening. "Patrol route. Some streets on this side of town get real messy. Perfect spot to throw you into the deep end. You're here to learn, and I'm not gonna hold your hand. Yesterday might've been a win for you, but don't think you've got everything figured out."

I chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it. So, what's the plan?"

"Lesson one," she said, her voice taking on a commanding tone, "priorities. Civilians come first, villains second. If there's a choice between stopping a bad guy and saving someone, you save them every time. Got it?"

"Crystal clear," I replied.

"Good. Lesson two," she continued, launching herself onto a rooftop with ease, "keep the destruction to a minimum. No flashy moves, no overkill. You're here to protect, not destroy."

I joined her on the rooftop effortlessly, keeping pace without breaking a sweat. "Understood. Anything else?"

She stopped, turning to face me with a sharp look. "Today's challenge is simple: no full-powered energy manipulation. No overwhelming force, no flashy tricks, and definitely no shortcuts. I need to see how you handle the basics—strength, speed, and strategy. Got it?"

I frowned but nodded. "Got it. Guess I'll have to get creative."

"Good." She gave a toothy grin. "Now let's see what you're made of."

We didn't have to wait long for action. A group of thugs armed with knives and pipes had cornered a small shopkeeper in an alley. As soon as Mirko landed with a loud thud, they froze, their faces draining of color when they saw her.

"Oh crap, it's her!" one of them stammered, already starting to back away.

Mirko smirked, hands on her hips. "Going somewhere? Relax, I'm feeling generous today. I won't lift a finger... but my student here will take care of you. If you manage to beat him, I'll let you go. Deal?"

The thugs exchanged nervous glances before one of them, clearly the boldest of the bunch, sneered. "Fine! He doesn't look so tough anyway."

Mirko stepped aside with a grin, gesturing toward me. "All yours, kid. No quirks—just fists, brains, and guts. Show me what you've got."

I stepped forward, cracking my knuckles as the first thug charged at me with a pipe. I sidestepped his swing effortlessly and delivered a quick jab to his ribs, sending him sprawling. The others hesitated for a moment before rushing me all at once.

It was chaos. Pipes swung wildly, fists came at me from every direction, and one guy even tried to throw a trash can. I dodged and countered with quick footwork and well-placed punches, taking them down one by one.

"Hey, kid!" Mirko called out from her spot against the wall. "You're leaving your left side wide open! Shift your stance and tighten it up, or you'll eat a hit you won't like!"

I adjusted immediately, her words clicking in my head as I shifted my weight and closed off the exposed angle. The next thug who came at me swung a knife toward that very spot, but I was ready this time. I sidestepped the attack and used his momentum against him, flipping him over and pinning him to the ground.

"Better," Mirko said with a sharp grin. "See? You might just have potential after all."

The fight continued, but now her advice lingered in my mind, sharpening my movements and keeping me one step ahead of the thugs. By the end, the alley was littered with groaning bodies, and I stood victorious, barely breaking a sweat.

Mirko whistled, clearly impressed despite her casual demeanor. "Not bad. You've got the basics down, but you still need to work on your reaction speed. And your follow-through could use some polish. We'll fix that."

The rest of the day followed a similar pattern. We encountered more groups of criminals, ranging from petty thieves to more organized groups. Every time, Mirko let me take the lead, offering pointers or critiques as I fought. Her sharp instructions rang out like a drill sergeant's: "Stay on your toes!" "Don't waste movements!" "Come on, kid, you're holding back!" "What kind of blocking was that? You have to adjust your footing."

By the time the sun started to set, my body ached from head to toe, and I was drenched in sweat. Mirko, on the other hand, looked as fresh as when we started, her ever-present grin making me question whether she ever got tired.

As we walked back to her agency, she glanced at me. "You did all right for your first day. Not great, but not terrible. Tomorrow, though? I'm cranking up the difficulty."

I groaned but smirked. "Of course you are."

When we reached the agency, Mirko stretched lazily and said, "Get some rest, kid. You're gonna need it."

I shook my head. "Not really." With a quick activation of my quirk, a refreshing wave of energy surged through my body, instantly healing my fatigue and minor injuries. I even used it to clean off all the dirt and grime from the day, my suit and skin looking as good as new.

Mirko blinked in disbelief before scowling playfully. "You've got to be kidding me. That's cheating!"

I grinned. "It's called working smarter, not harder."

She crossed her arms, shaking her head with mock envy. "You're making me jealous, kid. Here I am busting my tail day in and day out, and you're just... what? Hitting a reset button?"

"Perks of being me," I replied cheekily. "Want me to clean your costume too?"

Mirko snorted. "Don't push it. I've got standards."

We both laughed, the tension of the day easing as we headed inside. For the first time, I felt like I was getting the hang of this internship—and maybe, just maybe, earning her respect too.

After checking out at the hero agency, I returned to the cabin with Mirko. Once inside, I slipped out of my hero costume and headed straight for a shower. Sure, my quirk could instantly clean me up, but nothing compared to the soothing feel of warm water cascading over my skin. After freshening up, I dressed in comfortable clothes and headed downstairs, ready to tackle my newly assigned duty: dinner.

Mirko wasn't around yet, so I stepped into the kitchen and got to work. I pulled out the ingredients, organizing them with practiced efficiency as I mentally planned the meal. My hands moved smoothly—chopping vegetables, seasoning meat, and stirring sauces. The sizzle of the pan and the rich aroma filled the room, creating a symphony of culinary art.

In the middle of tossing a skillet of sautéed vegetables, Mirko strolled in, now dressed in casual clothes—a snug tank top that perfectly outlined her toned frame and loose athletic shorts that highlighted her powerful legs. Her ears twitched slightly as the scents reached her. "Smells good already," she remarked, leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Glad you think so," I replied, glancing over my shoulder with a small grin. "Just wait until it's done."

She moved closer, watching as I plated the appetizers with a practiced flourish. "You sure you're not some kind of pro chef? The way you're handling this, it's like you've done it for years."

I chuckled, flipping a piece of fish in the pan. "I've had plenty of practice. Cooking's been my thing since I was a thirteen, remember? You gotta get good when it's a matter of survival... or impressing a picky eater."

Mirko smirked, crossing her arms. "Well, this better live up to all the hype. My standards are pretty high."

"Don't worry," I said, as I carefully garnished a dish. "I guarantee this'll blow your mind."

A few minutes later, I carried the dishes to the dining table, each plate radiating a soft, warm glow. Mirko's eyes narrowed as she leaned closer, inspecting the ethereal shine.

"That's... not normal," she said, her brow arching. "Food doesn't usually light up like a damn neon sign."

I chuckled, taking my seat across from her. "Just a visual side effect. Nothing to worry about."

She picked up her chopsticks, hesitating for a moment before taking her first bite. The second the flavors hit her, her eyes widened, and her body stiffened. The glow from the food seemed to intensify as the "foodgasm" struck, and within moments, her casual clothes disintegrated into a flurry of fabric shreds.

Mirko stood frozen, momentarily stunned. Her athletic and sculpted body was on full display, from the firm curve of her full, perfectly proportioned D-cup breasts to the sharp definition of her abs and the plump virgin pussy peeking out from between her powerful thighs. Her entire body radiated a, captivating blend of wild beauty and strength, as if she were carved from marble.

"What the hell just happened?" she managed, her voice low and dangerous.

I sighed internally, trying to appear as composed as possible. "Yep... That's about what I expected."

Though I'd experienced this exact scenario before, Mirko's commanding presence made it impossible to look away. A sharp blush spread across her face as she snapped out of the initial shock.

Her eyes narrowed into a glare. "Hey. You're staring."

"Wait, I—"

Before I could get another word out, her foot connected with my chest in an explosive kick, sending me flying through the cabin wall.

The world became a blur until I slammed into the outer wall of the hero agency, leaving a sizable dent. Groaning, I peeled myself out, muttering, "The shield absorbed the kinetic energy perfectly... so how the hell did I still fly like that?!"

I brushed the dust off my clothes, contemplating the force behind her kick. "Maybe... just maybe... the laws of physics are no match for the power of an angry and embarrassed woman."

(A/N: Yep, even if Newton wants to break out of his coffin for violating physics, he won't dare to in the presence of an angry women. He will just be shivering in fear inside the coffin. On second thought does the MHA world even have Newton or his laws of physics?)

With a sigh, I activated my quirk, refreshing my body, cleaning off the dust, and fixing my outfit. Feeling rejuvenated, I flew back to the cabin.

When I arrived, Mirko was already dressed in fresh casual clothes, leaning against the kitchen counter. Her arms were crossed, and the dangerous glint in her eyes sent a chill down my spine.

"You're back," she said calmly, though her menacing grin made me pause.

I landed cautiously, scratching the back of my head. "Uh... yeah. Sorry about that. But, you can't say I didn't warn you about that side effect."

"Oh, don't worry," she replied, her voice far too sweet to be comforting. She stepped closer, her grin widening. "I'm not mad anymore."

That should've eased my nerves, but instead, it only made me shiver.

"But," she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper as she leaned in, "I will pay you back for that mess tomorrow."

I chuckled nervously, already regretting everything. "Noted..."

She clapped me on the shoulder with a firm grip before turning away, her grin widening further. "Get some sleep, kid. You're gonna need it."

As I stared at the wrecked wall behind me, then at Mirko, who was walking out of the kitchen with that menacing smile, I couldn't help but mentally chuckle: Note to self: Never mess with an angry or embarrassed woman. Ever.

I shook my head and sighed, realizing the mess I had to fix. Using my energy manipulation, I focused on the wall's debris, carefully pulling the scattered pieces back together. Slowly, I attracted each broken chunk, guiding them toward their original positions. With a precise surge of energy, I joined the fragments, even mending the smallest cracks down to the molecular level. It was like putting together a puzzle—only the pieces were made of splintered wood and plaster. Within moments, the wall was as good as new, not a trace of the damage remaining.

Satisfied with the repairs, I made my way back to my room. It was still early, and I was mentally drained from the day's activities. I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto the bed, the events of the day running through my mind. But sleep came quickly, and I drifted off, ready to face whatever Mirko had in store for me tomorrow.

The next day, the morning came too soon. I stretched as I woke up, the sun already creeping through the window. Despite the wrecked wall and everything that had happened yesterday, Mirko's voice echoed in my mind, reminding me of the day's challenges ahead. I groggily pulled myself out of bed and made my way to the kitchen, where Mirko was already awake, her usual energy radiating from her.

"Morning," I mumbled, still half-asleep.

Mirko smirked and waved a hand at me. "You look like you could use a strong breakfast after last night. Make us something good."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "After everything that happened yesterday, you still want me to cook?"

She shot me a playful grin. "You're the one who broke the wall, so it's your turn to fix breakfast. Besides, this is just the start of my punishment, Now get moving."

I sighed, already resigned to my fate. Despite the mess I'd made earlier, I had no choice but to whip up a meal. Grabbing the ingredients, I got to work, quickly making something hearty to start the day off right. As I finished, we ate in comfortable silence, fueling up for whatever was next.

Once breakfast was finished, we dressed in our hero costumes, ready for patrol. It was time for another day of fighting villains, and Mirko was set on making sure I learned every lesson she had to teach me—whether I liked it or not.

As we patrolled through the streets, Mirko eyed me carefully, her tone serious. "You've been relying too much on your fists," she said, her gaze sharp. "You've got a whole spectrum of energy to work with, but you're only using a fraction of it. It's time to step it up and learn how to use your quirk for long-range combat."

I raised an eyebrow. "Long-range combat? You mean I'm not allowed to get close to them?"

Mirko nodded. "Exactly. Think about all the energy you have at your disposal: heat, kinetic energy, frost, gravity, space—you're barely using even a fraction of it. You've got infinite options, so stop limiting yourself to just throwing punches and kicks. Keep your distance and use your quirk to take control."

I nodded, feeling the challenge ahead. I was used to close combat, but now I had to learn to fight without ever getting within range.

As we patrolled through the streets, we stumbled across a group of thugs causing trouble outside a small convenience store. One of them, a bulky man with tattoos, grinned when he saw us approach. "You're gonna regret messing with us, hero."

He activated his quirk, and thick, stone-like armor erupted around his body, making him look like a walking boulder. The others around him didn't hesitate—one girl conjured flames in her hands while another began to crackle with electricity. I tensed, ready for the fight, but Mirko just gave me a nod.

I raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. The thug in stone armor charged at me, heavy steps shaking the ground. I quickly set my stance, using gravity manipulation to create a small but strong push of air beneath me. The effect sent me flying back a few feet, keeping me just out of range of his fist.

I threw out a quick blast of thermal energy, melting the ground beneath his feet, and watched as he stumbled. In that moment, I sent out a magnetic pulse, pulling a nearby signpost from the ground and hurling it toward him. The impact knocked him off balance, but Mirko quickly called out.

"Watch the collateral damage!" she warned, her voice sharp. "We're not here to wreck the whole neighborhood."

I winced as I realized the signpost had slammed into the side of the store, leaving a hole in the wall. "Right, sorry," I muttered, focusing again.

With the thug distracted, I used gravity manipulation to create a localized gravity well beneath him, bringing him crashing down. I adjusted the force to soften the fall just in time—though the thug still hit the ground hard enough to make him groan in pain.

Mirko watched, but her expression was calm, as though she expected me to take care of it. "Good. But you're still focusing too much on just one thing. Remember, your quirk has a lot of versatility."

The other thugs, seeing their leader fall, started to run away in a panic. I smirked. "Not so fast," I muttered, using my quirk to freeze the ground beneath them, making it slick and slippery. But that wasn't enough to stop them. As they continued to flee, I manipulated the gravity around them to gently lift them off the ground. They kept running, but their feet never touched the ground—like they were stuck in some weird, slow-motion chase.

Mirko chuckled from behind me, shaking her head. "You're cruel, you know that?"

The thugs flailed in mid-air, confused but unable to break free, while I set them down softly, but rough enough to cause some minor bruises. They scrambled away, their body and pride wounded.

We kept moving, heading down a quieter street when a fresh group of thugs appeared. This time, their quirks were even more unique. One thug generated spiked protrusions from his body, creating a sort of defensive barrier. Another thug was limber, able to stretch his limbs like rubber, and a third released bursts of electricity from his fingertips.

I eyed them for a moment, feeling the weight of Mirko's expectations. "Remember," she said, a grin playing on her lips, "use your versatility. They're not just going to stand there."

I shifted my stance, first manipulating the surrounding metal in the area and sending a magnetic pulse to yank the spiked thug's spikes out of the ground. Without the support of the spikes, his defense crumbled, leaving him open for a quick energy shot that knocked him back.

The rubbery thug stretched his arms, aiming to grab me with his elastic limbs, but I quickly manipulated the space around his body, warping the air to make his arms stretch into the sky, twisting and contorting like spaghetti. He flailed helplessly as he struggled to free himself from the tangled mess of his own limbs. With a smirk, I reached out and activated my energy drain, sapping the strength from his body until he collapsed, deflated like a puddle of rubber on the ground.

Next came the electricity-wielder, who fired a barrage of zapping bolts toward me. I stood my ground, using energy absorption to soak up his attacks, feeling the electricity crackle through me. In an instant, I reversed the flow, firing back with a stronger bolt of electricity that surged through the air. The thug convulsed as the bolt hit him square in the chest, and he crumpled to the ground, twitching, foam bubbling from his mouth.

"Nice job," Mirko commented as the thugs tried to scramble away. But before they could get too far, I extended my quirk, levitating them off the ground. I opened a portal directly below them, and they tumbled through, only to land in a portal above them and fall again.

Mirko shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips as she watched. "You really like playing with your food, don't you?"

I grinned, hearing the thugs' desperate pleas for mercy. "Hey, they started it." With a chuckle, I used gravity to slow their fall, and once they were descending at a manageable speed, I closed the portal and gently lowered them to the ground.

As they hit the earth, I noticed some of them had... lost control. A few had wet themselves, too scared to even stand up. Mirko let out a genuine laugh, shaking her head as she surveyed the scene.

"Any villain who faces you is probably gonna quit the whole villain thing after this," she said, her voice full of amusement. "The PTSD alone would be enough to drive 'em into retirement."

I just shrugged, smirking as I looked down at the trembling thugs. "Guess I've got that effect on people."

Mirko didn't answer right away, her amused gaze lingering on the defeated group. She cracked her knuckles, a sly grin forming on her face. "Well, keep that in mind for the next round. We've still got work to do."

We kept moving, walking down a quieter street when another group of thugs appeared, this time with more bizarre quirks. One guy could turn himself into a cloud of gas, making him hard to hit, while another had the ability to create small earthquakes with a stomp of his foot. The third one wasn't much better—he could conjure a giant shield of solid ice and throw it like a weapon.

"Careful, those three are tricky," Mirko said, eyeing them as they made their move.

I nodded, using my quirk to lift a nearby metal trash bin and throw it at the gas thug, who instantly turned into vapor. The trash can passed right through him, and he reformed a few feet away, confused.

I smiled. "That's one way to get him to show his hand."

Meanwhile, the earthquake-wielder was charging toward me, but I used my gravity manipulation to displace the ground beneath his feet, making it buckle and collapse. The thug lost his footing and fell face-first into the dirt.

The ice-shield user was next, and I immediately manipulated the space around his shield to warp it, making it impossible for him to throw it properly. I then sent a blast of thermal energy his way, melting the ice before he could react.

The gas thug, still hovering in the air, seemed to think I couldn't hit him. But I was ready. I used my gravity quirk to trap him in a small localized field, pulling him down to the ground with a slight shift of gravity. He let out a startled gasp as his gaseous form started to lose its shape, and I quickly created a wind vortex around him, trapping him and pushing him back into his solid form. The gust hit him hard enough to knock the wind out of him and force him to collapse in solid form, stunned but still alive.

Mirko looked on, nodding approvingly. "Much better. You're starting to get the hang of mixing everything together. Just remember—control the flow of the fight. If you focus too much on one move, you'll get predictable."

I grinned. "Got it. More surprises in the bag."

As we finished clearing out the area, I couldn't help but feel a little more confident. I was using my quirk to its full potential now, and with Mirko's advice, I was definitely on the right track. It was time to step up my game even further.

As the sun dipped lower into the sky, signaling the end of our patrol, Mirko's mischievous grin returned. We were walking through a quiet alley when she suddenly stopped, grabbed me by the back of my suit, and tossed me toward a rundown villain hideout.

"Alright, it's time for my revenge," she said, practically bouncing with excitement. "Like before, only long-range attacks. You've got this, right?"

I blinked, eyes wide. "Wait, seriously? You're tossing me in here with low-level villains and telling me to handle it without—"

"Yup. You're on your own now, buddy," Mirko said, giving me a playful shove toward the entrance. "No enhancements. Just your quirk. Good luck!"

I groaned, already feeling the dread. Low to mid-level villains weren't the problem—I could deal with those. But without my full range of abilities? This was going to be rough.

Inside the hideout, a few villains were waiting. One guy with electricity coursing through his hands stepped forward, sending bolts at me. I quickly absorbed the electricity, letting it flow through me, then shot it back at him with a much higher charge. He collapsed with a loud crackle, twitching from the shock.

Before I could catch my breath, the remaining thugs started running. I couldn't resist. I used gravity to anchor their feet to the ground, making them try to run in place like a bad cartoon. They looked like they were having a race with themselves, moving nowhere, much to my amusement.

Mirko watched from the sidelines, cracking her knuckles in approval. "Not bad," she said, barely containing her amusement. "Could've been cleaner, but hey, you survived."

I glared at her. "This is chaos, Mirko."

But as I made my way out of the hideout, the last of the villains subdued and my suit looking like it had been through a blender, I noticed something odd. Civilians had gathered along the street, watching the aftermath. As I passed by, a few of them began clapping. Then a few more joined in, and before I knew it, I was walking through a spontaneous round of applause.

"Hey, that guy took down all those thugs!" one of them yelled, pointing at me.

"Yeah, look at him! He might be a mess, but at least he took care of that scum!" another added, offering a thumbs-up.

Despite my battered appearance, a sense of pride bubbled up inside me. The civilians were cheering, happy to be rid of the thugs who had caused so much trouble.

Mirko noticed the crowd and raised an eyebrow. "Look at you. You're a hero now. Not bad for someone who can barely walk straight."

I gave her a weak grin. "Hey, I'm getting my 'hero moment' even if I look like I was run over by a truck."

The applause continued as I limped along. Some of the civilians even gave me high-fives as I passed, grateful for the help I'd given them, no matter how badly I looked.

By the time we reached the agency, the cheers had faded, but my face was still burning with embarrassment. I walked past a few of the other heroes, who gave me strange looks. One of them, a grizzled older hero with a scar across his face, just nodded at me and muttered, "You're one of us now, kid."

Another hero shivered, recalling some past trauma, then gave me a knowing nod. "Survived the rookie treatment, huh? You'll get used to it."

I offered a tired smile, feeling a little more at ease. "I guess I made it. Barely."

At the support area, I handed my trashed suit over to the techs with a sigh. "Can you fix this? Maybe add some upgrades too? It's not holding up well against electric shocks."

One of the techs raised an eyebrow, inspecting the suit like it had been through a warzone. "Yeah, we can patch it up, but we'll need to reinforce the fabric. Maybe make it shockproof next time?"

"Please, no more flashy upgrades," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "I just need something that won't fall apart every time I get zapped."

Mirko, who had been watching with that annoying grin, couldn't resist. "Oh, you'll be fine. You've got the civilians on your side now. They'll forgive you for the suit. Just make sure your next fight's a little less dramatic, huh?"

I nodded, still feeling mentally exhausted but secretly enjoying the recognition from the public. "Yeah, yeah. I'll try to keep things low-key next time."

The techs took the suit off my hands and promised to have it back in top shape soon. And with that, I shuffled out of the support area, mentally drained but my spirits lifted. I'd done my part today—maybe not perfectly, but definitely in a way that the civilians appreciated. That was all that mattered.

After wrapping up a few more things, we left the agency and made our way to the cabin. The walk was quiet, the kind of comfortable silence where neither of us felt the need to fill the air with words. The stars were already starting to peek out, the cool night breeze brushing past us as we arrived.

Mirko unlocked the door, stretching her arms over her head as she yawned. "Go ahead and freshen up first. You've earned it."

"Thanks," I replied, making my way to the guest bathroom. The hot water was a welcome relief, washing away the grime and tension of the day. By the time I stepped out, my mind felt clearer, and I was ready to focus on something more enjoyable—dinner.

Dressed and refreshed, I headed downstairs to the kitchen, rolling up my sleeves as I took inventory of what was available. Mirko was lounging on the couch, her ears twitching slightly as she scrolled through her phone.

"What's on the menu tonight?" she called out, not even glancing up.

"Whatever I can whip up with what you've got in here," I replied, pulling ingredients from the fridge. "Let's see… looks like a stir-fry kind of night."

Mirko smirked, finally looking up. "Hope it's as good as last time. You set the bar high, you know."

I chuckled, tossing some veggies into the wok. "Pressure's on, then."

The kitchen filled with the aroma of sizzling garlic and soy sauce as I worked, the rhythmic clatter of the spatula against the pan mingling with the occasional quip from Mirko. She eventually wandered over, leaning against the counter to watch.

"You always this good in the kitchen, or are you just trying to impress me?" she teased, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

I shot her a smirk. "Why not both?"

She laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Fair enough. Don't mess it up, though. I'm starving."

"Not a chance," I said, plating the food with a flourish. "Dinner is served."

We sat down at the small dining table, and as Mirko took her first bite, her expression shifted to one of pure satisfaction. Her ears twitched subtly, a sign I recognized by now. "Yep, still as good as the first time," she said with a smirk, taking another bite. "You might just spoil me with cooking like this."

"Careful, or you'll start expecting this every day," I replied with a grin, enjoying her reaction as much as the food.

The rest of the meal passed with light conversation, the kind that felt easy and natural. By the time we finished, the exhaustion of the day had started creeping back in, though it was more a pleasant tiredness now.

"Alright, I'm calling it a night," Mirko announced, stretching as she stood up. "Don't stay up too late thinking about how awesome you were today."

"Goodnight, Mirko," I replied, shaking my head with a small smile.

I headed to the guest room, flopping onto the bed and staring at the ceiling for a moment. The day's events played back in my mind—chaotic, messy, but somehow fulfilling. With that thought, I closed my eyes, letting the quiet of the night lull me to sleep.

(A/N: And another 6000+ words chapter. I guess it happens. Any way hope you guys enjoyed it. See you all in the next chapter.)