“So tell me something,” Ryukyu said. “Do you really think that heroes who work together are cowards?”

Her friend, the Rabbit Hero Mirko, almost spat out her tea. Bravely managing to swallow it despite her surprise, she eyed the other hero. “Where’s this coming from?” she asked suspiciously.

Ryukyu leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. “Just humor me,” she said.

Most wouldn’t suspect that these two would make for good friends. Ryukyu and Mirko were everything the other wasn’t—Ryukyu poised, patient, and humble; Mirko boisterous, confrontational, and perhaps a little bit haughty. Ryukyu ran a prestigious hero agency famed for mentoring the next generation, while Mirko was one of the few pro heroes to fly solo.

Yet after they’d established themselves as the only women in the top 10, Ryukyu had invited Mirko over to chat with her about how they could serve as role models for young girls—and the Rabbit Hero had agreed.

Mirko leaned back, contemplative. She was a dark-skinned woman whose muscles were impressive even outside of her hero uniform. “I just think a hero should stand on her own two feet,” she said. “Maybe ‘cowards’ is a bit harsh, but the point of being a pro is to provide support, not need it.”

“Even All Might had sidekicks,” Ryukyu countered. As she spoke, she busied herself about in her kitchen. She and Mirko alternated between who’s place they met up in for their weekly get-togethers. Tonight, it was her turn. “No one person can do everything, Mirko.”

“Not yet,” she responded confidently. Ryukyu just smiled and shook her head, tidying up her kitchen after their meal.

“I don’t think you’re a coward, you know.” Mirko’s voice came to Ryukyu, making the Dragoon Hero glance up. “Even if you do run an agency.”

Ryukyu smirked and wiped her hands dry. “Good to hear it,” she said.

“But I mean… you’re top 10, like me,” Mirko rambled. “You can turn into a dragon! So… why bother when you’re the sort of hero made to be a one-woman army?”

“For some reason, people insist on putting me on a pedestal,” Ryukyu replied. It wasn’t false modesty—she really didn’t think she deserved her top 10 spot. She’d said so at the ceremony. “I suppose they think I must be doing something right. My agency isn’t just a group of people to cover my back, it’s a school to show the young women of the world what they could aspire to be.” She settled down with a smirk and eyed her friend. “Imagine what you could teach them, if you had the mind to.”

“I’d make for a terrible teacher,” Mirko said flippantly, waving her hand in a shooing motion. The actions made her muscles ripple. “Lead by example, that’s my motto.”

Ryukyu just shook her head. They must have had this conversation a million times by now. Mirko was just too pig-headed to change.

And that was part of what Ryukyu liked about her.