After I had my check up with Boss, he showed me the other trapdoor, which was well hidden in a closet used for cleaning supplies. It was more of a small door, that you had to crawl through, than an actual trapdoor.
I thanked Boss again and went out to tell everyone about the check up.
Snake-Arms stayed in the security office but was happy to know. Dox had smiled, but the smile seemed forced. She had walked away, muttering something I couldn't make out.
Tojo and Hara were super excited. They were so loud, Lio had come out to see what was going on.
"Oh, well now I see why." He chuckled and grinned. He watched the two boys talk excitedly for a few more moments before he spoke. "I wouldn't get too comfortable with all this. You forget about the decision that's been made."
The boys went quiet, shifting their feet and avoiding my eyes.
I cleared my throat. "Yes, well...It's for the best."
Lio nodded. "And what of the second child?"
I hesitated. I hadn't thought too much about that. All I knew was that I'd have to go underground for the second baby's adoption; and even then, I'd have to find somebody I could trust in case the baby ended up with multiple Quirks like myself.
"I don't know." I blinked, stood straight and looked at him. "I'm not sure yet. Nobody else knows that there's two, no one except for us. We can't keep either of them, since the League has all but stopped contacting us, and with the heroes slowly catching wind of us-" I stopped and looked around. It was only the four of us now, but I was suddenly aware of possible security inside the facility as well as outside.
I waved them all in a tight-knit circle behind the couch. "I found this on my teachers desk. I've read and reread it so many times, but I can't place the handwriting." I opened the letter marked 'X' and showed them the content. Lio frowned, but shook his head. Hara and Tojo raised their eyebrows and looked at each other.
"Who else even knows this?" Lio muttered and looked at me. "Does Doc know?"
I shook my head. "I've been trying to work it out, but nothing's come to mind. Plus, with everything else going on, I don't want to stress him out." I tucked the letter back and stepped back. "I can't trust anyone, it seems."
Lio shook his head, thinking. "You know you can trust us." He clicked his tongue a few times. "I'll see what I can find out." He turned and left towards the office.
Hara stood beside me while Tojo leaned against the couch.
"So, what now?" Tojo crossed his arms. "You think we have a leak?"
I shrugged. "I honestly don't know anymore. I don't think it was anyone here. Simply because we all have our reasons for not wanting to draw attention to ourselves. Me for obvious reasons, you for your hand in Boss' little...experiments. Lio and Hara for supporting Stain..." I sighed. "And then there's Boss. I don't think he's too keen to stop his questionable experiments anytime soon."
Hara shivered and Tojo nodded. "I was one of the lucky ones that didn't completely lose their sanity in the process." He hesitated a moment. "Or die."
I shivered as I remembered what I saw in that cave months ago. "Yea. I'm glad that he's on our side for the moment." I sighed again. "I better get back to school before someone realizes I'm missing."
"Your teacher?" Hara gestured to where I'd hidden the note.
"Yea, but also nosy students. They're all nosy and pushy in different ways. It's getting harder and harder to keep them away." I pointed to my stomach. "They're more involved in this than I want them to be."
I nodded at Tojo and Hara, before Vamping back to my room. Everything was still quiet, as though no one had come up to check on me.
Good. I don't need all this right now.
I took out the note and pulled out the middle drawer of my desk. I slipped it under the drawer and taped it there. Nobody should be able to find it. Not for a while, at least. I closed the drawer, then pressed my hand to the bottom drawer, locking it. If anyone came snooping, they'd be looking in the wrong spot.
I went and unlocked my door, making my way down to see Recovery Girl. I had needed to do a check up with her for a little while, but I didn't have the motivation. I was just so tired all the time, mentally as well as physically.
I went downstairs and went to head out. Before I managed to leave the dorm, I heard a voice I would have rather avoided.
"Where are you going?"
I got to the door and sighed. "I just get sick of being cooped up here all the time. I know I can't really do too much physical training anymore, so least I can do is walk or run around, right?"
I looked over at Todoroki, who was leaning against a wall not too far away. He looked skeptical.
I growled. "Fine. I'm going to see Recovery Girl. Happy?"
He stood up straight. "Is everything ok?"
I waved my hand. "Everything's fine. It's just a normal check up. I might even find out the gender." I went to walk across the verandah and down the path, when he caught up with me.
"I'll come with you."
I frowned. "Why?"
He didn't say anything, only gave me a look. I shifted my eyes away and tried to walk faster, but he was able to keep up easily.
We were silent for a few moments before he spoke again. "Why won't you tell me what happened?"
It was an open ended question. No matter what I said, he probably wouldn't believe me.
"I'll tell you what I've said before: I don't remember."
"I know you're lying."
I pouted and crossed my arms as I walked. "Why do you think I'm lying?" I didn't look at him as I asked. I wanted to ask him who he thought the father was, but I was too afraid of the answer.
"Because I know." He said it quietly, but not harshly. "It's just, I want you to know I don't blame you and I want to help you."
Tears stung my eyes, but I pinched myself to shoo them away. I frowned and spun on him. "Why would you want to help me? How can you help me? Nobody can help me!" I felt my anger rise, and tried to push it down by pinching my arm, hard. "How could anybody possibly help, considering-" I bit my tongue and looked away before I blurted the next part. "Just...Don't go around spreading rumours." I spun around and walked quickly into the building Recovery Girls office was.
I was halfway down the corridor, when I heard Todorokis' footsteps not too far behind.
I knocked on Recovery Girls' door and waited. Todoroki was smart enough to keep a few metres away while we waited.
Recovery Girl opened the door a moment later and I tried to paste on a stress-free face. If she noticed, she didn't say anything.
She waved us both in and I lay down on the bed and waited for her to apply the cold gel.
"Sit down, boy. You're making me nervous standing there all awkward and quiet."
I sat up and pat the chair that was next to the bed. "May as well get a front row seat."
He sat down awkwardly as I lay down again, Recovery Girl having set everything up.
"You know, I never thought I'd have to acquire one of these to have at school, much less UA."
I sucked in a breath at the subtle dig at my situation. I felt a pull on my sleeve and saw in the corner of my eye that Todoroki had caught the hint too. I breathed out as she traced the device over my stomach. I knew she didn't mean it the way she said it, but it still hurt in a way that I didn't think anyone else would get.
"Do you want to know the gender?" Recovery Girl said in a neutral voice.
I was quiet for a moment, thinking, when I felt the pull on my sleeve become a nervous grip on my elbow. I felt a smile tug at my lips, then nodded. "Yea. It might make things easier."
Recovery Girl nodded, smiling. "I will have Principal Nezu call Rock Lock to come over for a visit too, if you would like to tell him?"
This time, I grinned. I hadn't seen or heard from Rock Lock for a while, and was anxious to explain myself for some reason.
"Well, it seems you're having-" She paused for a few moments for dramatic effect. I had to stay still, but I felt Todoroki lean forward. "-a girl."
Todoroki breathed out, but it sounded more like a strangled sob. I was grinning, but when I tried to look at him, he wouldn't meet my eye.
Recovery Girl handed me a towel to clean off the gel and I sat up as she put the stuff away.
I got off the table and went to go to the bathroom. I hated that I had to have a full bladder for these things.
I closed the door and went. As, I was washing my hands, I heard Recovery Girl and Todoroki talking in quiet voices. I left the tap running as I pressed my ear to the door.
"How far along is she?"
"Didn't she tell you?"
Todoroki was quiet, so I assumed he shook his head.
"She's just about seven months, now." Recovery Girl clicked her tongue. "Time flies, it seems, with these things, but what that poor girl has been through, I'm sure to her it feels like forever. I'm glad she's seemed to make close friends and allies in 1-A, as well as a few other students. She's going to need the support even more once the baby is born, and Rock Lock takes her."
"Did you think she made the wrong decision about adopting the baby out?"
"Hm? Oh, it's her choice, dear."
There was silence for a moment. "I think she believes she has no choice but to put her child up for adoption. She's afraid of...Oh, nevermind."
"She's afraid of what, Recovery Girl?"
I heard her sigh. "I believe she's afraid of whoever the father is, and that by adopting her child out, that it'll be the end of her nightmare."
I sucked in a breath and made a show of loud splashing, before leaving the bathroom.
"Is everything alright, dear? No cramps?"
"Uh, yea. Small ones, but nothing extreme." I tried to smile, but it came out like I was having cramps.
Recovery Girl and turned to Todoroki. "Make sure she gets back to the dorm all right, and make her rest. Oh, and plenty of water."
Todoroki nodded. He guided me out of the office and down the corridor before I stepped away from him, walking on my own.
"I'm fine. I can still walk." I tried to sound stern, but it come out near a whisper.
"Alright. Hey, um..."
"Yes, Mr Awkward? Ask the question." I sighed and crossed my arms. "At this point, you may as well."
"I guess you're right. Well, I was just going to say...uh...ask. Maybe, could I come with you, your next check up?"
I blinked and looked at him. We stood in the middle of a path, halfway to the dorms, staring at each other. "Why? I don't even know why you wanted to come to this one."
He looked down and scratched the back of his neck. "I just thought that if I saw it..." He trailed off, not looking at me, but I understood.
"That it would become real."
He looked up and nodded. "Yea. It's sinking in more now."
I nodded, turned and kept walking. I didn't want to start this conversation up again. If I was ever going to tell him, it certainly wasn't going to be now. I had an announcement to make.
Todoroki and I decided to cook dinner for everyone before they came back. Some had been out training, some 'studying', and some had been allowed out of school grounds for the day.
I could hear everyone coming towards the dorm before I actually saw them. Once they came in, they hovered around until I slapped at them to go shower. Especially the ones who had been training.
Finally, after dinner, I managed to settle everyone down on the couches so I could tell them the news.
"Ok, so today I went to see Recovery Girl-"
"Is everything alright?!" Iida interrupted, causing more loud concerns to come from everybody else.
"No, I-"
"Is the baby ok?!"
"Y-"
"Are you ok?"
"Of-"
"You're not going into labor yet, right?!"
"Guys-"
"Be quiet." Mr Aizawa stern voice silenced everyone from where he stood behind a couch. He glared at everyone, then nodded to me.
I took a breath, then spoke. "It was just a check up. And an ultrasound to see what gender the baby will be."
That got everyone's attention. Everyone leaned forward, and even Mr Aizawa was trying not to look mildly interested. Emphasis on trying.
"She said that it's a girl."
"Yes!" Ashido jumped, pumping her fists in the air. "I knew it! Ha! Now hand it over!"
I raised my eyebrows as Kaminari grudgingly handed Ashido a small wad of money.
"Don't worry about them. They're so immature." Momo sighed from beside me.
Iida came to stand on the other side of me, to watch as more and more of the boys handed money over to Ashido, who then distributed it amongst the girls. "I think it's a way of coping for them." He frowned at the scene. "Not a coping mechanism that I condone though."
"Not at all." Momo said, just before Ashido not so subtly walked up to her with a handful of cash.
"Here's your bit, Momo!" She thrust it at her before bouncing away again.
I started to laugh. "I know I should be mad, but this is hilarious!"
Momo, red faced, mumbled something about tea and then quickly walked off to the kitchen.
I kept grinning as Iida sighed and shook his head. "You'd think they'd realize this could hurt you emotionally."
I dropped my grin and shook my head. "No, I get it. They want for it to feel as normal as possible and try to forget the circumstances of how it happened." I grinned again, trying not to laugh. "I'm surprised they haven't tried to get one of the boys to play 'daddy'."
Iida sputtered at the statement. "I would never allow that!"
"Calm down, Turbo. I was kidding." I sighed. "But, to be honest, I wouldn't mind it. It's...normalcy I guess. My situation is not."
Iida thought for a moment, then opened his mouth to speak when Mr Aizawa spoke up.
"Rock Lock is in my office waiting for you. Don't make him wait." He turned and left.
I sighed again. "I better go explain myself."
Iida hesitated, then nodded. "Yes! I'll have Momo make you some tea for when you come back."
"Thanks, Iida."
I quickly went to Mr Aizawa's office and closed the door. Rock Lock stood up from the chair facing my teachers desk. He looked straight at my bump and I looked away, trying to cover it more.
"So it is true, then?"
It didn't sound like an accusation, so I just nodded.
He sighed, then came to hug me. I couldn't stop the tears. Finally, when they did stop, he helped me sit down.
"I had no idea about this until Gang Orca asked me to adopt. Why didn't you tell me?"
I hesitated, wiping my eyes. "Well, I don't have your number, for one..."
He took out his phone and handed it to me. "Put your number in."
I did as I was told, not wanting to annoy him, and handed it back.
"Good." Rock Lock leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "I told my wife what I was told about the situation. She's the one who made the decision to adopt your baby."
"You didn't?"
He shook his head. "If I had a say, I would encourage you to keep it." He lifted his hand. "But, I would help. I know your guardian is a doctor, so you would need as much help as possible in the beginning." He sighed heavily. "My wife...She believes that you're making the right choice and she wants to help in her own way. She's agreed to have an open adoption, so you can still have contact with the baby. She feels humbled that you trust us enough to raise your child, and to be honest, so do I."
I breathed out shakily. "I'm just worried the baby might have multiple Quirks like me, and that she might be dangerous."
"She?"
I looked at Rock Lock, remembering what I was there to tell him, and smiled. "Yea. The baby is a girl."
He tried to keep a stern face, but his eyes betrayed him. He gave in and grinned. "So. One of each." He said it quietly, like he was saying to himself.
I nodded. "Yea." I hesitated. "I want to name her though."
He scoffed. "Obviously." He tapped the back of my head with the palm of his hand.
"Ouch! Must you? Delicate situation here."
"Uh, uh. Don't be using that as an excuse." He looked at me over his fists. "So. What name did you come up with?"
I thought for a moment. "Akina."
Rock Lock raised an eyebrow. "Akina?"
I nodded. "Akina or Akinah. It works with your last name, too."
"Wha-"
"I do my research." I grinned.
He shook his head, a small smile on his face. "Alright. Akina it is." He stood up. "I better head back. I'll tell my wife to expect a daughter."
I nodded, and he left.
I breathed out, relieved. I knew I could trust Rock Lock and his family. I had no doubts they could handle whatever my child could do.
I got up and went to the showers. I needed to get up to my room to study some more. Pregnancy brain had gotten to me and my grades had suffered a little for it.
I sighed. "One more thing to stress about."
As the next week went by, I tried to focus on school work and check ups with Boss. He had told me on the Tuesday that the twins had increased activity in my stomach. I didn't know what that meant, but he insisted on seeing me daily after that. I also had to see Recovery Girl, and she noticed the same thing as well.
"What does that mean?"
"Oh, it could be anything, dear. She's probably just active because she's so big now."
"Oh. Ok." I left Recovery Girls office, not sure what to think. Boss had said something similar, and Doc was busy with a new clinic he had opened not too far from where Boss' hideout was. It was in the villain community, but still far enough away from the lab that Doc said it felt like 'his' part of the community. I wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that, but I was too involved in my on stuff going on that I didn't ask.
My friends had all started noticing how much bigger my stomach had gotten and Momo had to make bigger clothes for me.
"Sorry, Momo. I don't mean to be asking you for this."
"Oh, don't worry about it." She replied, waving her hand. "I'm helping out a friend as well as getting practice on my Quirk. It's a win for both of us."
"Ah, I guess." She even let me pick colours and styles for some, but once she realized they were all black or Skyrim related, she stopped taking requests.
Outside of 1-A, the other friends I had made: Shinso, Togaru, Pony, Mei Hatsume, some others from 1-B, and creepily enough, Mirio.
Although most of the school now knew my condition, students would still come up to ask. I couldn't hide it anymore, so I had to tell the truth.
Most morbidly wanted to know who the father was, even after I told them the delicate situation. Normally, someone would show up just in time to rescue me from the question. Other times, I had walked away, ignoring the question.
Detective Tsukauchi had tried to get me to do a paternity test, but the process was too invasive and the idea scared me.
Of course, having regained some of my memories including who the father actually was, I still didn't want anyone to know.
Lio had tried and failed to find out who that note was from. There were no fingerprints and he couldn't trace the handwriting. Hara and Tojo had kept an eye on Boss and his lackeys, but nothing unusual had gotten their attention. Boss still kept himself locked away in his lab, Snake-Arms stayed mostly in the security room, and Dox did what she did best; do whatever errands she did for Boss and pine uselessly after Doc.
I breathed out and crossed my arms over my desk. I slid my hand slowly over the top. It felt like I hadn't been in this classroom for ages. With everything going on, I didn't have a chance to think or breathe. I found myself glad that I was sitting at my desk, before everyone came in for the day. I could sit and just relax; look at my surroundings and not be triggered by anything.
Now that I think about it, I don't think anything bad has ever happened to me in this classroom.
I looked from my desk top to Tokoyami's desk in front of me.
My first friend.
I smiled, but it felt forced. I then looked from his desk to where Shoji's was, up the front of the class. Then, Ashido's, Kouda, Satou, Aoyama...Everybody's desk gave me memories of when I first arrived.
Everybody had different reactions to me, but they all accepted me.
My face darkened as a thought shot through my brain.
Would they accept you if they knew what you really are?
I was saved from answering my own question by the sound of footsteps and loud yelling.
I sighed and put my chin on my arms, waiting for 1-A to come in a ruin the quiet space. Though, this time I was actually grateful for it.
Tokoyami and Shoji were the first to come in, Tokoyami with his eyes closed and an annoyed expression on his face.
"Let me guess. They're too noisy?" I spoke without lifting my head.
He sat down at his desk in front of me as Shoji stood in the isle. "Exactly."
I grinned. "You always say that." I flinched as Ashido pumped her fists in the air, yelling something I couldn't understand. "But you're not wrong."
"How are you feeling?" Shoji asked, gesturing to me.
I shrugged. "Still queasy, but I'm glad I don't have that morning sickness." I tapped my desk. "Touch wood."
"What about everything else? Has the counsellor been helpful?"
I looked down. I had forgotten about the counsellor. I had to see her twice a week, according to Detective Tsukauchi's rules. The counsellor would report back to Tsukauchi after the end of each week to tell him my progress. She told me at the start of every session that whatever I told her would be confidential and that nothing would go beyond those walls. But I wasn't stupid. If I told her anything that I hadn't already told Tsukauchi, she would tell him. Especially if I told her the culprit.
And besides, you could never trust a Karen to not speak to a manager, right? Detective Tsukauchi was my counsellor's manager. It also didn't help that her name was actually Karen.
"Sort of. I mean, it's hard not to, you know..." I shifted uncomfortably. "It's hard to talk about this stuff with a stranger."
Shoji nodded, and Tokoyami gave me a look that felt it bore a hole through to my soul.
I looked away as everyone started to sit down at their own desks.
Shoji pat my shoulder, then went to his desk.
"Get out of my way, extras."
I scoffed and Bakugo turned to glare at me. At least most things had gone back to normal.
"Quiet."
Everyone instantly silenced as Mr Aizawa walked into the room. I really needed to get him to teach me how he did that.
I shot a look pointedly at Bakugo. He lifted his middle finger at me from under the desk, still looking toward the front.
"I have an announcement."
I put my hands automatically over my ears as the class erupted in whispers and not-so-quiet speculations.
This time, Aizawa didn't have to speak. It was the glare that shut them up.
"The hero work recommendation project."
I frowned at the word 'project'.
"You all will be stationed on Nabu Island, an outlying island in the South."
My hand went up at 'all'. "Mr Aizawa. I'm kind of...Grounded."
He lifted his hand. "I wasn't finished speaking."
I blinked, then nodded. Maybe he had something else in mind for me.
"Nabu's hero-in-residence retired due to old age. You all will work as heroes there until a successor arrives."
There was that word again...
I didn't even mind the noise my classmates made this time. I was giving my teacher a look that I hoped he interperated as confusion, because that's what it was. Pure confusion.
"Listen to what I have to say until the end."
Everyone shut up again.
"As a rule, you will have no backup from teachers or Pro Heroes. Of course, if anything happens you all will bear the responsibility for it. Bear that in mind and behave as a hero should. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
My hand went up. After all, I didn't understand.
"Yes, Kitia?"
"You still haven't explained where I'm going to be. I'm grounded, remember?"
He stared at me, but my confusion kept me from looking away.
"Principal Nezu has agreed to have you go along."
"Agreed...?" Then it clicked. "You asked him to let me go too?"
Aizawa nodded once. "You should be safe, away from whatever it is you're afraid of here. Also, we can't keep you safe here forever. You are at UA to train to be a hero, aren't you?"
I barely nodded, staring at him and whispered. "Yes."
No.
"Then it's settled. You'll all go on the weekend. Dismissed."
Everyone stood up to go pack. I stayed sitting.
"Kitia?"
I blinked and looked up at Ashido, Tokoyami, Shoji and Mineta.
"Are you ok?"
I nodded and stood up. "Yea. I just didn't think that they'd let me out for...A while. It's a shock."
"A good one, though, right? I mean, now you can come out with me and Kaminari." Mineta grinned at Kaminari as he caught up in the hallway.
"Check out island babes."
They grinned at each other, thumbs up.
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but laugh. "You know what? I do need something to laugh at. You two trying and failing to get girls attention...That's gonna be fucking hilarious."
