Mumen Rider in MHA

Kana stood on the rooftop of the abandoned apartment building, eyes fixed on the horizon. The wind tugged at her hoodie, her fists clenched at her sides, glowing faintly.

She had been following the news.

She had seen the broadcast—the slander, the half-truths, the quiet smear campaign twisting Mumen Rider's name into something irresponsible, reckless, dangerous.

She had heard her classmates whisper about it.

> "Shouldn't heroes follow rules?" "Maybe he got lucky before." "He should've just let the pros handle it."

And through it all, Kana said nothing.

But her blood had been boiling.

---

Earlier that day, her principal called her in. Again.

> "This is your third suspension this year, Kana."

She didn't look at him. Just stared at the floor.

> "Throwing a chair at another student—even if they were mocking someone—is unacceptable."

> "He said Satoru deserved to die."

> "Be that as it may, violence—"

> "What do you expect me to do? Smile and take it?"

He sighed. "You're angry. We all are. But this isn't the way."

She stood, sharp and sudden.

> "Then tell me what is."

No answer.

---

Now, back on the rooftop, Kana's fingers twitched. Pressure built at her palms.

BOOM.

A small explosion snapped the silence, shattering a loose brick ledge beside her.

Dust blew into her face, but she didn't flinch. She didn't even blink.

> "Why do I care?" she whispered. "Why do I keep caring?"

Another explosion. This time at her feet. It flung her a few feet back, landing hard on her side.

She groaned, curled up, the sting of recoil burning through her elbow.

---

She lay there, under the open sky, chest rising and falling fast.

Memories rushed in—his voice after their last fight:

> "You're not the monster you think you are."

She squeezed her eyes shut.

> "Then why do I feel like this?"

---

A soft voice startled her.

> "Because you care, Kana."

She sat up fast—Sayaka stood at the rooftop door, arms folded.

Kana's face flushed red. "Why the hell are you here?"

> "Satoru's mom's hospital room faces this building. She saw you come up. Thought maybe someone should check on you."

Kana looked away.

> "He's not gonna stop, is he?"

Sayaka walked over, crouched beside her. "No. Probably not."

> "They're trying to break him."

Sayaka nodded. "And they might."

Kana's hands trembled. "He doesn't even fight like them. He's got nothing. Why does he keep—"

> "Because someone has to."

Silence.

Then Sayaka added, voice quieter:

> "But that someone doesn't always have to be alone."

Kana bit her lip hard, then whispered:

> "I don't want him to die."

Sayaka placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then tell him that."

---

Later that night...

Satoru, still in uniform, limped into the hospital. Kana was sitting cross-legged by the chairs.

She didn't look up right away.

> "I blew up a whole rooftop."

> "Did you win?"

> "No. I just got bruised and yelled at."

He smiled faintly. "Sounds like my usual Thursday."

She finally looked at him.

> "They're wrong about you."

> "Some aren't."

> "I don't care."

She stood. Walked over. Poked him—hard—in the chest.

> "You matter. You matter even when you're stupid. Even when you're too nice. Even when you think no one notices."

He blinked. She kept her gaze steady.

> "You matter. To me."

Then, before he could respond, she turned and walked out.

---

Satoru touched the spot on his chest where she'd poked him—and for the first time in days, he laughed.