It was 5:20 pm and we only just got to the training camp grounds. I hear Pixie-Bob say, "Ha! The litter is almost here."

Mandalay says, "That took a lot longer than expected."

We come onto the grounds with almost all of us panting and exhausted. I run straight ahead and smack Dad and say loudly, "That was rotten! Even for you!"

Mandalay gasps and says, "You've got more fire since you were here last year. And you surprisingly didn't leave your classmates behind like you easily could have."

I say, "That's because the class knows he's my dad so I don't have to worry about that anymore. And no I didn't because we've been through a lot together. Plus Pixie-Bob would have been expecting that."

I run to join the others again.

Sero says, "You said it would only be, like, three hours!"

Mandalay says, "I guess we timed it based on how it'd take us. Sorry!"

Sato says, "Now you're braggin' about how much better you are? That's so mean!"

Eijiro says, "I'm starving. This is hell."

Pixie-Bob says giggling, "Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow! I thought it would take you kids even longer. But, you did much better against my dirt monsters than I thought you would. You guys were seriously great. Especially the five of you!" She points at Tenya, Izuku, Bakugo, Shoto, and me. She continues, "It seems like you've had quite a bit of experience. Cara I can understand." Pixie-Bob pauses licking her lips. She jumps forward and says, "I call dibs on these kittens. I'll groom them myself!"

I run to Dad and he wraps his arms around me to keep me from Pixie-Bob trying to assault me with her 'grooming' as the other four hold their arms up trying to avoid her 'grooming'.

Dad says pointing at Pixie-Bob, "Mandalay. Has she always been like this?"

Mandalay says, "It's gotten worse lately. She's at the age to take a mate."

Izuku says, "Uh. Speaking of people's ages-"

Pixie-Bob grabs Izuku's face cutting him off again. Pixie-Bob says, "Choose your words carefully, boy."

Izuku says, "I've just been wondering since we got here earlier. Who is that kid? What's he doing here?"

I turn towards Mandalay and say, "Yeah I was wondering the same."

Mandalay puts her hands up and says, "Oh, this little guy? He's my cousin's son. He lives with us now. Don't be shy, Kota. Say hi to everyone. You're gonna be around them for the next week."

Izuku walks up to him and says, "Hey. There. My name's Midoriya. I'm from the UA High School hero course. It's nice to meet you!" Izuku bends down with his hand out wanting to shake Kota's hand.

I wince when I see Kota punch Izuku in the balls. Izuku yelps holding himself.

Tenya runs over to Izuku as Kota walks away and says, "What a low blow! You fiend of a child!" He holds Izuku up so he doesn't fall on the ground. He continues, "A punch to the scrotum is unforgiveable!"

Kota turns his head looking angry and says, "The last thing I want is to hang with some wannabe heroes."

Tenya says, "'Wannabe'?! How old are you, kid?"

Bakugo shrugs with a smirk and says, "That brat's got spunk."

Shoto says, "He's like a mini version of you."

Bakugo gets mad and turns to him saying, "What are you talking about? You need to shut your mouth before I blast you all the way to hell."

Shoto remains calm and says, "Yeah, sure."

Dad says remaining his grip on me which had tightened after seeing Kota punch Izuku so squarely, "Enough playing around. Get your stuff off the bus. Once your bags are in your rooms, we'll have dinner in the cafeteria. After that, you can bathe and sleep. Tomorrow your training starts in earnest. You'd better get a move on."

I ask, "Um, dad. Where am I supposed to go?"

Dad says, "You'll be with me in my room."

I grab my stuff and quickly put it in his room. We go and sit at the cafeteria and once I see all the delicious food my stomach growls.

Izuku puts his hands together and says, "It looks so good!"

We all dig in.

I hear Sero say, "So you girls got stuck in a tiny little bunk room, didn't ya?"

Jiro asks, "Why? Is the guys' room really big?"

Mina says, "Oh, yeah? So, like, can I come check it out later or what?"

Sero says, "Sure! Whenever you want."

Eijiro says, "It's so good. I can't get enough!"

Kaminari says, "My stomach is so happy right now. It's as good as Lunch Rush's food! I think I might eat until I burst." Kaminari gasps and says, "I smell beef."

Eijiro says, "Hey, wait, you got meat over there?"

Pixie-Bob says, "Yeah. Jeez, it's like you guys haven't eaten in a week or something. Anyway, today's the only time we'll be doing this for you. So make sure you kids enjoy it."

Kaminari and Eijiro say, "Thank you!"

Mandalay says, "Hey, Kota! Can you bring me those vegetables?"

I watch as Kota picks up the box. I focus back on my food and eat until I'm full.

Once we finish we get to enjoy a hot bath though unfortunately we all share it together not individuals.

Mineta says, "The food and stuff is fine, but to be honest, I'm hungry for somethin' else. Just one little wall. A few pieces of wood. And heaven's waiting on the other side. A bath full of boobs and babes ready to be seen by yours truly."

Kaminari sighs and Shoto says, "Don't you even think about looking at Cara that way. She's off limits."

Izuku asks, "Are you over there talking to yourself again, Mineta?"

Mina says, "This feels amazing!"

Jiro says, "I'm so glad they've got a hot springs here!"

Mineta says, "Bathe, my angels. How stupid of them not to stagger the times that we'd be naked next to each other. I hope they never learn from their mistakes."

Kaminari says, "It's too much for him."

Tenya growls and says, "You're to stop this at once, Mineta. What you're doing is demeaning. For both the girls and yourself. It's shameful behavior!"

Mineta says, "Now I know why I have this Quirk. It's because walls are meant to be climbed. I'm coming for you, ladies, Plus Ultra! All that Quirk training. All the times I almost died. It was to prepare for this shining momen-!"

I watch as Kota pops up on the side of the wall and says, "Before you become a hero, you should learn how to be a good human." I watch as Kota smacks Mineta.

I hear Mineta say, "I'll get you for this!"

I hear Tenya yell and then a big splash.

Tsu says, "Mineta really is the worst, isn't he?"

Mina says, "Thanks so much, Kota, babe! We owe you one!"

Kota looks over at the girls and yelps and then falls over the wall screaming.

I hear Izuku say, "Look out!"

Mandalay comes to the doorway of the springs and says, "Cara. Get a towel on and come to the office."

I nod and grabbing my towel leave and enter the office. I stand there as Mandalay says, "The rush from the fall likely caused him to faint. Thank you. Eraser warned me one of you boys was a little girl crazy and with his daughter in there too, so I stationed Kota up there to keep watch. I suppose that's the danger of teaching kids your age."

Izuku says, "Well, anyway. I'm just glad he's all right."

Mandalay says, "You must've moved pretty fast to catch him."

Izuku says, "Um. He doesn't like heroes very much, does he? I admit, that's weird to me. Most everyone I know wants to be one. It's...my dream. So, it's just wild to think that a kid his age is against heroes. Hates them, even."

Mandalay lays back and says, "How observant. Of course, he isn't alone. There are many in our society who don't approve of us. If he'd had a normal childhood, maybe he would've admired heroes like you did growing up."

Izuku gasps and asks, "What happened?"

Pixie-Bob enters and says, "It was Mandalay's cousins. Kota's parents, that is. They were heroes, too. But they were murdered."

I flinch and Izuku gasps. I mutter, "Like mom..."

Mandalay says, "It was a villain. Two years back. Kota was still so small. They were killed while protecting citizens. Perhaps the most respectable way for any hero to die. But...How do you even begin to explain to a child that his parents died honorable deaths? They were his entire world. Everything. But to him, his parents had left him behind. And all the while, they were being praised. Because...their sacrifice was such a noble one. Honestly, he doesn't seem to like us that much either. We're heroes, like they were. I'm sure he feels like he's stuck here because he has nowhere else to go. Heroes just don't make any sense to Kota. After all, if his parents hadn't been heroes, they would still be here."

Izuku mutters almost inaudible, "I'd heard so many different people talking about heroes over the last few months. I'd listened to so many different viewpoints. It would be irresponsible to shrug them off. And yet, in this moment, I have no reply."

I sigh and say, "I understand where he's coming from but also make sure he doesn't feel like he's left behind, Mandalay. Honestly if it hadn't been for dad, Best Jeanist, and Present Mic I might have felt the same way. It's hard to cope with losing a parent especially so young. He just needs time and understanding."