“Merc work just pays more.”

Izuku noticed that almost right out of school, while he kept tabs on most of his classmates, Ochaco had all but vanished.

That was until years later, after his friends came together to make his hero suit, as she was among them.

Among many other things that happened after that, including Izuku getting to resume hero work, he learned exactly what had happened to Ochaco for all those years she was gone.

“A mercenary?!” He asked, stunned as they walked towards her home.

“Yeah. It turns out PMC’s are always looking for trained heroes, and after all we went through, it didn’t really take that much of an adjustment.”

Ochaco unlocked the door and welcomed him in.

“So what do you do exactly? Are you like a Rescue Hero for Hire or something?”

She led him into a side room.

“This is my office.” Uraraka said proudly.

Izuku saw what he expected, which was a desk, chair and computer, along with several file cabinets.

She then led him deeper into her house, and opened a door.

“And this is my workshop.”

Izuku froze when he saw what was inside.

There was a well organized workspace, where she’d already laid out a disassembled rifle, but that was just the first.

All across the walls, and along several shelves were guns, and various types of body armor. From a simple bulletproof vest, to what looked like a full bodysuit with heavy plated armor on the vitals.

“You’re a…”

“Soldier of fortune Deku!” Uraraka said confidently as she pulled Izuku over to her kitchen, and prepared some wine glasses.

“But…I thought you wanted to be a hero.” Izuku muttered as she poured them both a glass full of what looked like some very expensive wine.

“That’s why we drifted apart after the war, Deku.” Uraraka said purposely softening her tone. “I told you I was in it for the money, not altruism like you. Plus it just pays more than hero work.”

Izuku fell silent, looking down at his wine glass as she handed it to him.

Uraraka sighed and smiled at him. “If it makes you feel any better, it’s also how I fund all those quirk therapy clinics. The kind that would’ve saved Himiko Toga…”

He nodded, “Yeah. Some of my students went to them. You’ve done a lot of good.”

Uraraka just smiled and sipped her wine.