Friday had me excited for counseling, because I could share and show my achievements. I powered through the sit-ups and squats early in the morning, and downed the oatmeal and fruit at breakfast, and helped Ida present the cleaning chart to the class.

By lunch, though, my smile wavered.

It was silly, but I didn't trust good days. Or, well, some part of my brain didn't. Because I'd feel a veil start to separate me from the enjoyment I could be feeling…

I pleaded with myself to stay focused. I was doing well, I deserved to have a good day.

"I've been meaning to ask," Yaoyorozu said while we ate, "How did you pick the pairs for the cleaning schedule, they don't seem random." Ah, we'd been caught. I provided a sheepish look while Ida straightened his glasses.

"It was a matter of finding two people who could not only get along, but encourage each other to get the task done. For example, we thought of putting Bakugo with Kirishima, but agreed they'd both be capable of skipping their duties if in cahoots, which is why Bakugo ended up with Manderly."

"Is that why I'm stuck with you?" Bakugo complained loudly, "You think you have to babysit me?"

"Nah, I'd like to think we get along." That somehow pissed him off even more. Some of the others laughed as I gave a big smile and Bakugo informed me I was dead wrong. It was a good moment but everyone froze. And not because of me.

An alarm ripped through the speaker system.

"Intruder Alert, Intruder Alert." The robotic voice said, "There has been a breach of the front gates. All students, please return to your classrooms and stay there. Repeat; Intruder-"

Chaos erupted as everyone sprang to the exits. There may have been powerful kids here, but we were all still young and inexperienced; none of us was prepared to deal with a real villain.

Cursing, I hopped onto a chair and looked for a way out of the cafeteria that didn't involve the mob. Ah, an open window.

"What the hell are you doing?" Bakugo yelled as I wove away from the exit.

"Don't suppose you could throw me at that window!" I shouted over the panic.

"What? Why?"

"So I can climb out it, silly!"

"I KNOW THAT!" The cafeteria began to empty out a bit more. Ida paused in his fruitless attempts to calm everyone down to turn to look at us from the door.

"What are you doing? Come on!"

"We'll catch up!" I called back. Someone ahead tripped and took his attention. Bakugo crossed his arms and smirked.

"Looking for some villains?"

"Definitely not." I climbed onto a table, but was nowhere near high enough to reach that window, "But getting out of that hallway is impossible. I wouldn't want to go in there even if I wasn't in a rush."

"To hide?"

"Ugh, help me out here and I'll clean the classroom by myself next week." I said.

"Fine!"

He held his hands to give me a boost and I stepped up. He boosted a bit too enthusiastically though.

I slowed time and caught hold of the window; gently sitting myself on the opening.

Time resumed and I still felt it dig into me. Ouch.

"Thank you!" I called, climbing out and hopping down. I didn't expect an explosion later to result in him landing beside me. I glanced at him.

"What? I'm not just staying in the cafeteria either. Maybe I'll find someone to fight."

"Fair enough. I gotta run though." I did start running; my cardio still needed work but there was no reason to panic and use my quirk just yet. Better to conserve my strength for now.

I reached his classroom out of breath, Bakugo still on my heels. Ignoring him, I opened the door.

Empty.

The board read HALF-DAY FRIDAYS along with a little laughing caricature.

I looked to see the school's outer walls had raised. There was a loud commotion up front. Crap, crap, where would he go? Ms. Joke wouldn't just leave him unattended right?

I fought the panic that began to rise in my chest; I needed to think, not worry!

"Hey, I didn't know UA had an elementary school."

"Um, if you were a kid while this was happening, what would you do?" I asked, checking Moe's desk for clues, "Where would you go?" My classmate looked at me like I was stupid.

"To the action, obviously. I'd try and get the best view I could." Moe wouldn't…

Would he?

Knowing Moe, he might want to catch a glimpse, if only to know what was going on, but he'd also want to stay well hidden. He might even want to check up on me. What would accomplish all those…?

Our classroom. The window faced the front. There were tons of nooks and crannies he'd be able to exploit.

Except…

How was I supposed to get back inside the main building, and upstairs? Every entrance had been reenforced with steel upon lockdown.

"Ugh, damn it." I'd left my hair down today, but I pulled it into a tight ponytail. I ran toward the front of the building.

A hand caught my arm.

"Stop, you idiot." Bakugo said, "It's nothing fun, just listen." I was about to yank my arm away and activate my quirk, but the voices from up front drifted to us.

"Give a statement about All Might teaching here!"

"Bring him out for an interview or we won't leave!"

"Just one statement!"

"Just one picture!"

"It's just the stupid press," Bakugo continued, "Everyone is freaking out over nothing." While that gave me certain relief, I still didn't know where Moe was, or if he knew there wasn't much danger at all.

"I still need to find him."

"Who?"

"My little brother!" I exclaimed, "Damn it, Bakugo, if you're not going to help, get out of my way!" I pulled my hand away from him but he grabbed the back of my collar and pulled so hard I fell flat on my back.

"Shut up, jeez." He said, annoyed, "Don't tell me you bought that Half day Friday bullshit?"

"What?"

"What kind of elementary school has half-day Fridays? Parents can't pick up the kids in the middle of the day. It's a cover so intruders will assume they're gone." I sat up and he jabbed his thumb back at the classroom, "Ten bucks says they're all still in there."

I walked inside tentatively.

"Moe?" I called, "It's just the press, you can come out if you're here!"

"ALRIGHT!" The supply closet burst open to reveal a whole playroom hidden inside. Ms. Joke stood at the door, holding Moe and other curious kids back. "Hey now, you two will be in trouble for not being in your classroom."

"Told you." Bakugo gloated while I leaned against the doorframe in relief. Ms. Joke caught Moe as he ducked under her legs.

"Sorry Mo-Mo, no leaving this room until the official all clear. It may just be the press, but I'm guessing it's a lot of them if they haven't been dealt with yet. Better safe than sorry kiddos."

"You're right." I said, "Sorry, I…" I put my hand over my heart, "I was almost positive you'd make sure they were all safe and sound, but hey, I worry."

"Not offended!" Ms. Joke told me, "Remember, some of these are hero's kids. I've had my poor classroom torn apart in similar occasions. Now run on over to you classroom or Eraser Head will place you in permanent detention."

"Right!" We agreed, running out.

"All that because of your kid brother?" Bakugo asked as we jogged to find another back entrance.

"Yup!"

The only way back in was through the window we'd come out, so with another boost and rough landing, we ran through the now-empty hallways and up the stairs.

We made it to the classroom, only to find our classmates in a very nervous and tense silence. Up front was a very furious Aizawa. Even Bakugo shrank back when he glared at us, eyes already glowing red. The restraints got us instantly, pinning our arms back and holding us upside down.

"I get back with dealing with a horde of press leaches, having to stand there and wait for the police to escort them out, to return to my classroom, class 1A of the hero course, and find two of my students missing?"

"Sorry!" I said with a grimace, and I was dropped unceremoniously onto my desk. I rolled onto the floor, then meekly picked myself up and slid into my seat.

"…sorry." Bakugo said too and he was tossed to his seat with even more force. He seemed like he wanted to yell a protest, but some instinct of self-preservation stopped him, and he just moodily sat down as well.

"Where were you?" Mr,. Aizawa asked in a low, dangerous voice.

"The hallway was clogged so we climbed out a window." Bakugo said, "So what?"

"I really hope that's a lie, and that two of my students aren't stupid enough to think that's a good idea in a potential emergency." For once, I wasn't upset at him chewing us out. Sure, getting yelled at is never fun, but it was kind of nice that he cared enough to be concerned we were missing. Also, I knew I didn't really regret what I'd done. I'd be panicking now if I hadn't.

"Truth be told, I went to check on my little brother." I confessed, calm but not quite confident enough to meet his gaze, "I asked Bakugo to help me out the window and he came along to help me find him. He was safe with Ms. Joke so we ran right back. Sorry to have caused concern."

My other classmates, previously holding their breath, broke their silence.

"You have a little brother?"

"Here at UA?"

"How old is he?"

"Aw, you went to go rescue him?"

A whip of our teacher's scarf made everyone shut up. I braced and looked up. Mr. Aizawa sighed a heavy sigh, rubbing his eyes.

"I can't entirely blame you for the instinct... and at least you didn't go alone, but in the future, give Ms. Joke some credit. She's a pro hero, a good one, and would die before she let any one of those kids lose a hair on their heads."

"Yes, sir."

"I'm still giving you both a tardy at least."

"Yes, sir."

Lockdown was lifted not long after. I thought it was strange that even with all the mess, my mood was pretty okay. Well, everyone was okay, so that must have been putting my mind at ease.

"Do you have a picture of him?" Uraraka asked me as soon as classes ended, "Is he cute?"

"Ah, he's very cute." I said, "But he doesn't like having his picture taken."

"I didn't either when I was little." Tsu agreed.

"Does he commute?" Midorya asked curiously.

"Nope, lives in the dorms with me."

"Whaaaat?" Many chorused.

"How haven't we noticed there's a little kid living in our dorm!"

"We're early risers."

"Oh my god, can you introduce us to him?"

"If he's okay with that, I'd be happy to." The final bell rang, "Ah, I have training. I'll see you guys at dinner." Some trailed away but Midorya stayed behind as I packed my bag.

"You have extra training after school?" He asked. I smiled.

"I admire your natural curiosity."

"Ah! I didn't mean to pry! Obviously you don't have to tell me anything and I'm not trying to keep tabs or anything I just was curious since I hadn't heard of extra training being a thing and…"

"Training sounds cooler than counseling." I admitted with a shrug, "Since I never had quirk counseling as a kid, Mr. Aizawa is helping me get a handle on my quirk."

"Oh!" His eyes brightened with the new information, "That's great! It must be exciting to get one on one time with a pro!" Why hadn't I thought about it like that? I'd never really seen our sleepy teacher in real action, so he just felt like a particularly scary instructor.

"Very." I agreed, "Hopefully I'll catch up soon in terms of being comfortable with my quirk."

"Good luck!"

"Thanks!" With my behavior today, I had a feeling I'd need it.