A/N: I caught a cold and had an exam, both this week. Regardless, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

A pretty calico cat-woman with blue eyes opened the door when Ariko rang the bell. There was a pleasant smile on her face when she noticed the two girls.

"Hello, girls. Are you here to see Chise-chan?" she asked with a voice as gentle as her daughter's.

"Yes! We brought her some make-up work too!" Ariko said.

"Thank you! We can't have Chisato missing too much school… Oh! Please come inside."

She led them into the living-room.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. I'll go get Chise-chan."

She left the two of them alone. Michiko sat on an armchair near the window, slouching as she basked in the sunlight. Red and yellow roses sprouted from her head. Ariko wondered how it worked. Did the type of plant that sprouted have anything to do with her mood? And there was the question of how she sprouted so many plants from her head in the first place….

"You're being weird, stop that," Michiko said.

"Huh?"

"You're muttering a lot."

"Oh! Sorry… I was just wondering how your quirk works."

Michiko opened her eyes.

"I'm not completely sure, to be honest. But I know it has something to do with how much sunlight I take in. I basically do photosynthesis."

"So you're like, a… plant?"

"Yeah, sure. You can say that."

At that moment, Chisato's mom stepped back in, a sheepish smile on her face.

"Chise-chan, doesn't want to see anyone right now. She's still feeling a little under the weather, unfortunately. I'm sorry, girls."

"It's alright, we understand," Michiko said as they headed to the door.

"I hope she's okay…" Ariko trailed off becoming lost in thought.

"I'm sure she's fine. She seems like she's pretty tough."

"I know, but what I saw- I don't know if she's really okay."

They stopped once they reached an intersection. It was quiet even though it was only a little after four. A couple strolled down the street, soaking up the last rays of sun before the chilly night settled in.

"I live that way."

Michiko pointed to their left.

"I'm sure everything will be okay, so don't worry!" she said, patting Ariko's shoulder.

"I'll try!"

They parted ways and Ariko stood there for a few more minutes before she turned to leave. There was still a few hours left in the day, so Ariko decided to wander the streets. A few leaves fell from above. A large one hit her in the face and she caught it with her quirk. It floated above her opened palm, stuck in her orbit, until it flew away after a particularly strong gust of wind.

She looked up after a few minutes. In front of her was the old warehouse. Why she ended up here, she didn't understand. There was no police tape or cars. There was very little indication that anyone was there that morning. The ivy-covered windows glowed in the late sun. Ariko wondered if Kobayashi Sakura was on the other side, staring back. The thought sent chills up her spine. But, it left her with an idea.

-0-0-0-

"Ari-chan, you bent your fork again," her dad said. She glanced down to her food which had split on the table. Warmth flooded her face.

"Sorry! I was just thinking so hard that I didn't notice…"

He chuckled.

"Eventually, we're going to run out of silverware. If you want…"

He had a bright smile, and Ariko could tell that he was barely containing his excitement. It was similar to staring into the sun.

"... we could work on controlling your quirk."

"Really? I get to train with THE Deku?"

"Anything for my number one fan!"

She didn't miss the look on his face, the look of a proud father about to show his child all the ropes. Ariko was glad that she could make him happy. She wasn't sure if such a thing was possible if she had never gotten a quirk.

"Hey dad?" she asked, tentatively. "A girl from my school went missing today."

"I hope she's alright… I'm assuming the police are on it?"

"Yeah, they were everywhere today, just looking for her and stuff. I was just thinking…"

What would she say? That she thought that Kobayashi was in that weird place? Would her dad believe her?

"Nevermind."

Her dad had his sharp eyes trained on her face, trying to pry out information.

"Do you think you know where she is?"

"I don't know. It's nothing."

He sighed and patted her shoulder.

"You can tell me if anything's wrong. You know that, right?"

"Of course!"

She smiled at him.

"Just… don't do anything to put yourself in danger."

"I won't," she said, and he narrowed his eyes slightly, like he wasn't sure if he believed her.

After dinner, she attempted to call Chisato again. Her calls went to voicemail. She wasn't surprised, though she was a little hurt. Instead, she sent her some texts instead.

Hey, are you feeling better? - sent at 18:05

We missed you! - sent at 18:20

Ariko sighed and started doing some homework, checking her phone every so often. Was it so hard to send back a text letting her know she was okay? Frustrated, Ariko went to the kitchen, looking for a snack. She didn't find anything that she wanted, so she went back. There still weren't any texts. She sunk down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

She must have fallen asleep at some point, because she jolted awake at the sound of her dad knocking on the door.

"Something came up at work, but I should be back soon. Will you be okay?"

"Yeah, go do cool superhero stuff!"

He kissed her forehead.

"Don't stay up too late, alright?" he said as he left her room. Only five minutes passed when Ariko got a text. It was from Chisato!

I'm going to a lovely place, and I think you should come with me! - recieved at 21:41

She stared at the screen for a few seconds. If she left would mom or dad find out?

Chisato? Where are you? - sent 21:43

By the train station - recieved at 21:46

Don't go anywhere! I'm coming! - sent at 21:47

She hurriedly put on her shoes and made sure to lock the door behind her this time.