Chapter 8 : Move Along


Everyone sat together at the table for breakfast, but there was a sense of tension. Rizusa wasn't speaking at all, and that seemed to make the other girls nervous. The boys weren't sure if they should ask what was troubling her, so they all stayed silent. Once finished with her food, the bluenette leader of the group left the table silently, taking her dishes with her. Once she was in the kitchen, Ayumi sighed. "Goodness, Rizu-nee forgets how strongly her feelings show…"

"Is she upset?" Shoto asked.

"I can't tell… she could just be in a bad mood?" Minako shrugged. "She often gets like this when she's stressed or feeling pressured." She added. Emiko nodded in agreement, seeing as her mouth was full of rice.

"Stressed?" Tokoyami asked.

"Likely because of going to see the Principal. The issue must be pretty important, huh?" Tamaki asked. "She hasn't looked that stressed since I last saw her before you both graduated." He said, Ayumi nodding.

"Yeah, unfortunately she can get like this at the small things too, though." She smiled. "But anyway." She clapped her hands together. "Let's hurry and clean up. Rizu-nee wants everyone to be ready to go as soon as possible." Ayumi's cheeriness seemed to get everyone off the subject and they went about their meal. Ayumi was just glad that no one had asked Rizusa herself, she wasn't sure if her friend could put up with questions under that much stress. "Rizu-nee…"

"Yes?"

"Uwa!" Ayumi jumped, turning to see Rizusa standing there. "Don't sneak up on me, Rizu-nee!"

"Sorry sorry." She pat her friend's head. "What are you worrying about?" she asked, seeing the look on Ayumi's face. "I'm fine, you know… I just don't like the thought of leaving is all."

"… If you say so, Rizu-nee." Ayumi smiled, knowing there was more but that was all she could say out-loud. "Are the movers coming?"

"Yes, they're on their way. You and the others can head out whenever you want, I'll wait for them."

"No way." Ayumi pouted. "We're staying together and that's final." She added. But even after saying that, Ayumi knew that if Rizusa sent her ahead, she'd end up going. "How much longer till…?" the hesitation was notable enough to clue Rizusa in on what Ayumi was thinking.

"Something like 3 hours… 4 if he gets held up by the trains." She added. "Hopefully he doesn't find a way to get here any faster." She sighed. "Go prep everyone to leave by the hour please."

"Yes, Rizu-nee…" she nodded, heading off to do as requested, looking a little sad. She knew her quirk wasn't good for fighting, only for calming down Rizusa if she ever lost control. That was why she took martial arts, but even that wasn't enough… When she and Minako had come home that day Emiko was attacked, Rizusa was already holding off Gin on her own, but she'd been cut. Only their numbers scared him off, since Minako had been on the phone with someone from the Conglomerate and alerted them immediately to Gin's presence. She knew that a fight would've probably ended in disaster for them.

"… Worrying about something?" Ayumi jumped a little, turning to see Tamaki standing there next to her room. "Senpai, you say Rizusa-senpai's feelings show strongly, but yours do too…"

"… Tama…" she tried to smile her normal flowery smile, but to no avail. "I'm not very good at this hero business, am I?" she smiled, feeling like she might cry. "I'm only around for Rizu-nee…"

"That's not true." He told her. "Ayumi-senpai is…" he glanced away, face reddening. What he wouldn't give to be wearing his hood right now. "Ayumi-senpai is kind… and you always keep an eye out for your friends… you never let anyone worry about you…" he looked back up at her. "And Ayumi-senpai is always encouraging people… especially me… So, don't be sad… you've got a huge heart, senpai… I'm sure that's why Rizusa-senpai has defended you so adamantly. She'd never have any other Aihara replace you." He added, Ayumi feeling her heart flutter a little. "You're her best friend, Ayumi-senpai. There's no way she'd ever want anyone else to stand at her side as the second pillar of the Conglomerate." The plum haired girl's lips curved up into a smile that melted Tamaki's heart.

"Hehe, Tama giving me a pep talk… this is nice." She hugged onto him, his face coloring bright red again. "Thanks, Tama." she added, seeming very content.

"I just can't let you look sad like that, Senpai." He muttered, patting her head and trying not to show his embarrassment.


Everyone was packed and ready to leave, the movers having just arrived. Rizusa was directing them as Ayumi made sure everything was ready. "Movers…?" Shoto asked.

"Yes, Rizu-nee got an offer from the Principal a while back, and he said just to call if she ever wanted to make use of it. She made a decision to go to UA for a while, so we're moving our things there too." Ayumi smiled. "It may be temporary but Rizu-nee thinks it's for the best." She nodded. "Plus she thinks that getting back to the UA will help out as far as her planning for the new Four Dragon's Conglomerate." She added, grinning.

"Eeh… so you're not just coming to talk to the Principal…" Shoto glanced over at Rizusa as she finished directing the movers.

"Technically not, but…" she rubbed the back of her neck. "That's the main reason for leaving today…" she stated. "Now, all of you are ready to go?" she asked, everyone nodding. "Good. The movers seem to know what they're doing." She added. "So, let's go…" They headed out, Shoto staying to walk with Rizusa.

"There's more to it, huh?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't seem like the type of person to rush out because of a meeting." He replied. "That's all…" Rizusa looked at the ground as they walked, then back up at Shoto. "So, I just wonder what's really pushing you to leave so quickly."

"Your instincts are very good." She said softly. "Yes there is another reason…" she looked up at Emiko walking with Kirishima and Tokoyami, Minako close behind them. "A monster seeks to return and finish what it started." She looked back at the boy walking at her side. "And I cannot allow him to seek out my pillar of support again… I must keep her safe while she is still healing…"

"… Thousand Blades?" he asked, almost unsure.

"Yes… I have informants all over the country… unfortunately he was spotted heading back here a short while ago… I didn't want to chance it by leaving in the evening." She added. "The movers will have everything out by long before that… he'll be at a loss… finding us will be difficult, but even if he does, at UA he won't chance it." She added. "He can't win that way…"

"Are you afraid of him?"

"No… but I'm afraid of what he could do to Emiko if he attacks again." She shook her head. "So for now…" she saw Emiko turn back and look at them, waving to her shorter white-haired friend. "I'll keep protecting them all. At any cost, I cannot allow my pillars to fall."

"Your conviction is impressive."

"Eh?" she looked a little confused. "What do you mean? Isn't it the same as students at UA aiming to be heroes?" she asked, Shoto's eyes widening a little at the comment.

"Well, in a way I suppose… but… you're doing something different. You're not just aiming for a goal, you're protecting an entire organization…" he replied.

"Oh… I see…" she smiled. "I don't think that's what it is really… I think its very much the same as the students at UA… aiming to become a protector…" she looked up at her friends walking ahead of them. "Protecting people… most especially those you care about." She then turned back to Shoto, a brighter, almost cheerful smile gracing her features. "It's something that's kind of ingrained into me. But thank you all the same, Shoto."

"Y-you're welcome…" he turned away a little, cheeks ever so slightly pink. The group shortly after arrived at the station and got their tickets, heading to grab some food before getting onto their train and heading out to UA.


Upon arriving at the stop before the school, Rizusa's phone pinged, letting her know that the movers had closed the door and locked it, sighing in relief. They were done, thankfully. Now they just had to wait for their things to arrive. She looked out the window, smiling. "We're here. Let's go." She stated, seeing the stop coming up. They all got out of their seats as the train stopped, heading out the door and out of the station with Rizusa leading the way.

"Hehe, its like we never left school, huh Rizu-nee?" Ayumi grinned, walking next to her friend. "I miss this walk. Its always so relaxing." She added, Emiko pointing things out to Minako since she was the only one who'd never been to the campus before.

"Has it changed much, since you were here?" Kirishima asked, walking next to Shoto and Tokoyami.

"No… its very much the same, aside from a few aesthetic things." Rizusa replied. "I'm rather excited to see how they incorporated the dormitories onto campus, though."

"Its super cool, we can show you if they let us!" Kirishima grinned.

"I'm sure the Principal wouldn't mind." Ayumi nodded. "Nezu-sensei's always very nice."

"Define nice, Ayumi…" Emiko made a face. "Nezu-sensei's scary sometimes…"

"Now now, he'll hear you." Rizusa said as they walked up to the front gate, Nezu standing there with Aizawa. "Ah, Aizawa-sensei…"

"Welcome back, everyone." Nezu said cheerfully. He gave the girls their passes and they all entered the campus before any real talk began. "Rizusa, you had something to discuss, yes?"

"Yes, sir… If you still have a few minutes, I'd like to have that conversation sooner than later." She replied, the Principal nodding.

"Of course. Aizawa-sensei, if you could show them around campus for Miss Tsubakawa's sake, and then meet us back in front of the dormitory they'll be staying in?" Aizawa nodded, leading them off, the boys sticking with them at Ayumi's request.

"What a pain, you're all tagging along? I'm not a tour guide." Aizawa muttered, Ayumi smiling cheerfully. "Stop making that face, Aihara."

"Aww but Sensei… That's not nice, let them stay. Please?" she grinned.

"… You're lucky that she's vouching for you… come on…" he grumbled as they went along, the boys seeming shocked. Aizawa was giving into a request of a girl who hadn't attended this school in years. More than that, not even a former student of his.

"If you're wondering." Emiko began, hanging back as Minako and Ayumi walked with the teacher. The boys were hanging back with her as well. "Ayumi and Aizawa-san are related… I believe it was something like distant cousins or something to that effect." She added.

"What, no way!" Kirishima exclaimed.

"They're very different… though I suppose that would explain why he gave into the request so easily…" Tokoyami nodded his head. Tamaki looked very sullen, hearing that fact. Shoto seemed mostly unaffected.

"She doesn't talk about it much, probably because he's a pro hero so she doesn't want to cause any trouble for him." Emiko replied. "But when they're together it kind of shows. Like a big brother that is much older taking care of a little sister who's still innocent and cheerful." She added.

"Oi, Kujou… I can hear you." Aizawa stated, turning to look at them as Minako surveyed the school buildings as they walked by. "Stop talking about things like that…"

"Aww, Sensei… are you ashamed to be related to me? That's not nice at all, I'm a good person at least, right?" Ayumi pouted, Aizawa grumbling about babysitting the group all the way until they arrived at the dormitory for Class 1A. And as they arrived, they noticed the moving truck.

"Ah… Isn't that…?" Minako looked at the people moving their things. "Ah, it is our moving truck."

"Ohoho, so they did put us in the dorm with the first years." Ayumi grinned. "Too bad, I wanted to harass Tama but that's okay. I'll sneak out~"

"Oi oi, don't cause trouble." Aizawa muttered at her, knowing she wasn't listening anyway.

"There are lots of people though… are those your students?" Emiko asked Aizawa.

"Yeah… they're too curious." He added.

"Well with all that furniture they must want to know who's moving in… shall we go say hello?" Ayumi asked with a smile. "If we're gonna be living here and all, I think it would be a good idea to get to know them, at least."

"Yes, good idea." Minako nodded, Emiko following as Aizawa walked ahead, the boys all following suit.

"Sensei! What's with all this furniture?" A pinkette asked, her small yellow horns seeming to perk up at the new arrivals. "Ah! And three girls! Are they moving in with us?"

"But it would be odd for three new students to start now, wouldn't it?" Yaoyorazu stated.

"They don't look like students, though…" Ojiro said, smiling a little.

"Settle down, and move out of the way. Let the movers do their jobs." Aizawa stated, waiting for the students who had come to observe gather out front of the dorm before beginning. "These three and one more woman are going to be sharing your dorm for a little while." He stated. "They are members of the Four Dragon's Conglomerate, and their current leader is reforming the organization. Since they're all young, it was decided that a school environment would help them all figure out the details and since three of the four attended UA, they came here."

"F-f-four Dragon's Conglomerate?!" the greenette with freckles exclaimed, eyes wide. "W-w-waaah, you're really part of the Four Dragons?!" he exclaimed.

"Hehe, a fan perhaps?" Ayumi smiled cheerfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you all." She bowed her head along with Minako and Emiko. "My name is Ayumi Aihara."

"And my name is Minako Tsubakawa. Pleasure to meet you all."

"Emiko Kujou. Nice to meet you, Class 1A."

"Waaaah!" The greenette, Midoriya Izuku as introduced by Kirishima on the sly, gave short spiels on each of the girls families and what their jobs were in the conglomerate. But then there was a short pause and he turned to them. "Um… I'm sorry if this is an odd question but… is your leader here as well?" he asked.

"Ahaha, yes she's actually talking to Principal Nezu right now, she'll be joining us in a little bit." Ayumi smiled, patting Izuku's head with a smile. "Your hair is so soft~ I'm jealous~" she grinned, Izuku's face lighting up bright red. "Hehe, we get to live in a dorm with all these cute little heroes in training, I'm so happy~"

"Don't blow a gasket." Aizawa grumbled again. "And don't be weird…"

"Aww, but I'm only a little weird~ Don't be mean to me~" she pouted at Aizawa, making him grumble again.

"So you're all staying with us?" A brunette girl with rosy cheeks grinned. "This will be so much fun!"

"Oh, there's a lot of people…" Rizusa walked up behind Aizawa, the teacher turning to glance at her. "Sorry I took so long, Aizawa-sensei."

"Rizu-nee, welcome back~" Ayumi cheered, Izuku looking starry eyed to see her. He began explaining to the brunette and a couple of the others about Rizusa and her quirk, the bluenette seeming surprised by his knowledge.

"You seem to know quite a bit about us." She smiled, Izuku panicking for a moment, getting a pat on the head from the Ryugazaki girl. "It's alright, don't worry. We're not as well known as some people now days, so its nice to know at least some younger people still have some knowledge of us."

"O-of course!" he exclaimed. "The Four Dragons Conglomerate is an incredible organization that has done so much for so many people… And even then, you're aiming to make it better, right?" he asked. "It's amazing, Ryugazaki-san!"

"Well thank you." She said, smiling a little. She turned to Shoto after a moment. "Your classmates are all very nice, Shoto."

"Whoa, she calls you by your first name!"

"That's so unfair!"

"Well that's my hero name too…" he grumbled a little, the boys pestering him about it a little as Tamaki excused himself to go back to his dorm, Ayumi pouting at him but letting him leave quietly. They had a while more to converse before their teacher cleared his throat.

"Alright alright, enough messing around." Aizawa stated. "The movers are done, let them go arrange their things." He added. "I'm going back to sleep."

"Aww, Sensei's running away…" Ayumi shrugged, grinning. "That's okay, though~"

"We can continue this conversation once we're done arranging our rooms." Rizusa said, Izuku nodding with a big smile along with Ochako as she'd introduced herself, along with a few other students. "Alright, we'll see you all in a bit." The four girls headed into the dorm, up to their rooms and began rearranging things.

"I wonder… what kind of rooms they'll have?" Ochako wondered aloud.

"Mmm, that's a good question." Tsuyu nodded her head.

"You think we'd be able to get them to show us?" Denki asked.

"Maybe three of them might agree, but not Rizusa-san I don't think…" Kirishima pondered.

"That's true… Ayumi-san and Minako-san don't seem the type to mind… Emiko-san might not mind much either…" Tokoyami replied.

"But what about Rizusa-san?" Mina asked.

"She's probably not gonna want to show us…" Izuku muttered.

"She'd probably be fine with it." Shoto replied, the others turning to look at him with shocked expressions. "What?"

"What makes you say that?" Jiro asked him.

"Its not like she has anything to hide, right?" Mineta was groping the air in a mildly creepy manner.

"Mmm, should we ask though? I mean…" Ojiro began.

"They are our senpais! It would be rude to ask them to show us their rooms!" Iida waved his hands around in a frenzy.

"There's no harm in asking. The most they can do is say no." Hanta added. All the students seemed at a crossroads about what to do, Rizusa walking up behind them mid conversation, staring at them for a moment.

"If you want to see you're welcome to." She stated, everyone jumping in shock and turning to her. "We're done."

"That was fast!" they all exclaimed, Rizusa smiling a little at their reaction.

"Well, if you wanna see, come on." She said, heading back into the dorms.


((So far the girls arrive without a hitch, but will it last?

Next time, look forward to dormitory descriptions and maybe some drama.

-Winter Cheshire))