The next morning, the world was in chaos.
Todoroki and I made our way in silence through the crowds. Thanks to our phones, we were able at last to meet up with the others, now with Bakugou in tow. Surprisingly, he was not angry, as I'd rather dreaded. Indeed, he was rather quiet.
We dropped him off with the police, who thankfully didn't ask any questions. Perhaps All Might had told them we'd be coming. I'm not sure. But they accepted Bakugou and asked no questions.
I texted Jirou as soon as I could that we were safe. She sent me back a few quick words of reassurance, which made me smile a bit. All the way there, I'd been nervous and trying to work out in my head if we had done the right thing. Had I broken the law, in escorting my classmates into danger? Had I played loose with their lives?
Hearing back from her, however, calmed me. Jirou has a way with her, a reassuring way like that.
The five of us made it to the train station. As we went, I continued to wonder. Certainly, All Might had defeated the villain, and Bakugou was saved, but I didn't like the look on Midoriya's face. Or on Todoroki's. I doubted it, but there was always the possibility that they were planning something.
"You three," I told them as we all said goodbye at the station, "Go straight home."
That got a nod from Todoroki, and a distracted assent from Midoriya and Kirishima. They parted company with me and I was on my way home.
"Momo, you've been forever! We were starting to get worried!" said Mother as I finally walked into the parlor.
"Sorry, mother. I had business to take care of, as the deputy representative."
"I have news for you - I've heard they got your classmate back! All Might did it, before he fought - you did hear about that villain?"
"Yes, I saw it on TV."
"Such a hard-working, passionate pro hero! And He's your teacher! I can only imagine how much you'll learn from him..."
She spoke on like that, agreeably and making me feel the warmth of a mother's support as I sat next to her on the sofa, hoping to at last unwind from the last few days - the marathon of stress and fear, the spectre of my missing classmate no longer looming over me.
The news continued to report on the damage. My classmates reported back to me that they were all improving. Mother and Father could talk only of All Might's retirement. I wondered vaguely if he would still teach us. I found time, even, to worry about his injuries, and hope perhaps that Bakugou felt no guilt for what had happened to him.
It was then that we got the message in the mail from Principal Nezu. Our butler, Uchimura, brought in the letters, including the stamped letter from UA high, with a serious face.
"An important message, madame, from Miss Momo's school."
Mother unwrapped it and gasped.
"Momo, dear, look at this. You too dear."
I leaned in and drew my breath in myself.
"Notice of the impending UA All Dormitory System"