**U.A. High School - Principal's Office**
Nemuri Kayama had rehearsed this conversation in her mind for three sleepless nights, now, sitting in the leather chair across from Principal Nezu's ornate desk while Toshinori Yagi, All Might in his diminished form, stood by the window overlooking U.A.'s training grounds.
Her hands were folded in her lap, perfectly still despite the trembling she fought to control. She'd dressed professionally, her hero costume would have been inappropriate for this conversation, and had applied her makeup with extra care to hide the evidence of sleepless nights and constant crying.
"A week in Gotham?" Principal Nezu's voice was gentle, curious, but his small black eyes studied her with the intelligence that made him one of the most formidable minds in hero society. He sat behind his desk, small paws folded together, his chimera features arranged in an expression of polite interest that didn't quite hide his concern. "That's a rather unusual request, Midnight, may I ask what's prompting this?"
Nemuri had prepared for this question. She kept her voice steady, using years of practice at hiding everything that truly mattered. "I want to research and learn to help build a new curriculum for my class about what our students may face as heroes and Gotham represents a unique case study in hero work."
She pulled out a tablet, calling up research documents she'd spent the past two days compiling. "Look at these statistics: hero presence in Gotham has declined by eighty-eight percent over the past decade. Villain organizations operate with near-impunity. Institutional corruption has reached levels that would be unthinkable in Japan. The city has essentially become a failed state within America's borders."
Nezu leaned forward, accepting the tablet and scrolling through her documentation with quick, precise movements. "Your research is thorough, I'll give you that. But Midnight, these statistics are precisely why I'm hesitant to approve this request."
All Might turned from the window, his gaunt face showing deep concern. The skeletal figure he'd become after his injury was still startling, even after months of working alongside him. "Kayama-san, I've worked with American heroes in the past. I know Batman personally, we even coordinated on some international cases years ago. When he describes Gotham's situation, even I have to acknowledge it may be beyond saving, it's the most dangerous place in the world by far."
"Which is exactly why understanding how such a complete systemic failure occurs is valuable," Nemuri countered, keeping her tone academic and detached. "How does a major city with millions of residents reach the point where hero society simply… gives up?"
"Your reasoning is sound," Nezu admitted, still scrolling through her documentation. "But I'm concerned about the personal risk. You'd be in a city where even the police can't be trusted, where villains act with impunity in entire districts, where violence is simply the way of life. What makes you confident you can observe these conditions safely?"
"This would be purely civilian observation and documentation. I know how to keep a low profile. I'm not going there to fight crime or rescue people, that would likely get me into trouble with the American federal government anyway, and you must have forgotten I spent a few years in Gotham at the start of my career.
All Might moved closer, his concern evident in every line of his skeletal frame. "Even observation is dangerous in Gotham, Kayama-san."
Nemuri felt frustration rising but kept it carefully controlled. She'd expected resistance, Gotham's reputation made it impossible to propose visiting casually. But every objection was another delay, another day she spent in agonizing uncertainty, another night lying awake wondering if her son was alive or dead or something worse.
"I understand your concerns," she said, keeping her voice level and professional. "And I appreciate that they come from a place of genuine care for my safety. But I'm not a child or an inexperienced hero."
She leaned forward slightly, adding intensity to her argument. "And this research could inform our students about hero work in different cultural contexts, about how systems fail, about what factors lead to the kind of complete breakdown Gotham represents. U.A. produces Japan's future heroes. Shouldn't they understand how hero societies can collapse, so they can work to prevent it here?"
Nezu set down the tablet, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, he simply studied her, and Nemuri had the uncomfortable sensation of being seen through.
"There's something you're not telling us, Midnight," he said finally, his voice gentle but certain.
Nemuri's heart rate spiked, but she kept her expression neutral through sheer force of will. "I'm not sure what you mean, Principal."
"You're right," she admitted, her voice becoming quieter. "There are… personal reasons for wanting to understand Gotham better. Someone I knew years ago, before my hero career really took off. We lost contact, and I've been wondering what happened to them. This research trip would let me potentially reconnect while serving legitimate purposes."
It was as close to the truth as she could get without saying: *My secret son who I abandoned as an infant might be there*
All Might's expression softened and Nezu was quiet for another long moment, then sighed. "One week since its the forest training week its not like you would be teaching anyway, but I want you to check in daily with us. If you miss a check-in without prior notification, we will try and contact Batman directly, he wouldn't like that so please be safe."
Relief flooded through Nemuri so intensely she felt lightheaded. "Thank you, Principal Nezu. I know this is unusual, and I appreciate your trust."
"I'm not sure 'trust' is the right word," Nezu said dryly. "I'm concerned and reluctant, but I also recognize that if I refuse, you'll probably go anyway without official approval, which would be worse."
All Might stepped closer, "and Midnight? Whatever you find in Gotham, whether your friend is alive, dead, or changed beyond recognition, remember that you have people here who care about you. Don't let that city's darkness consume you. Come home, regardless of what you discover."
The kindness in his voice nearly broke her composure. Nemuri nodded, not trusting herself to speak without her voice cracking.
"When are you planning to leave?" Nezu asked, still typing.
"Tomorrow,I already booked the flight."
Nezu looked up from his computer, and for just a moment, his expression showed something that might have been sympathy. "And Midnight? I hope you find what you're looking for. But be prepared for the possibility that you won't like what you discover."
"I know," Nemuri said quietly. "I'm already prepared for that."
It wasn't until she was back in her own quarters, door locked and curtains drawn, that she finally let herself break down, collapsing on her bed, sobbing into her pillow, mourning a son she'd thrown away and might never truly find.