I'm told to shower and change into a spare uniform, before being sent to principal Nezu's office. He offers me tea. I drink it and stare at the floor, wondering if they give every student tea before they expel them.

"Ah, young Hoki, you've had quite the week. How are your arms?"

"Recovery girl healed them," I tell him quietly. The casts are gone, thankfully, but I still have the slings. They'd be brittle for a few days at least and I've been told not to overstress them with training. I don't know why she bothered, it's not like I'd be here much longer.

He makes a little laughing noise and I look up. Aizawa, standing behind him, frowns down at me. Recovery girl, behind me, pats my head.

"Rin-chan had quite the damage," the old woman says with a little nod. "Her quirk is quite destructive for both her and her opponent. It's amazing she doesn't have more serious scars."

"Good, good," the principal rodent says, and I duck away from Aizawa sensei's stare. "Can you tell me what happened this morning?"

I swallow.

"My clothes were vandalized," I admit, my voice so quiet I can barely hear it. Principal Nezu nods and rubs his chin. I offer nothing else and he takes a sip of his tea.

"That's quite terrible, has this happened before?"

I flinch.

"Yes," Aizawa-sensei says after a long pause, I can feel the heat of his stare. "I spoke with the head of the home, Yui Takidori. It seems this has occurred twice, at least."

The principal's smile falters. I rub my fingers against my skirt, worrying at the hem. After changing, Midnight had collected my clothes and shoes. She had been irate. Aizawa looks incensed.

"I see," Principal Nezo says. "Young Hoki, do you know why we are here?"

Of course.

"I'm to be expelled for skipping class and bringing tobacco on campus?"

Principal Nezu blinks. Aizawa-sensei grunts. Recovery girl gives a little laugh behind me.

"Heavens no," she says, patting my shoulder. "We're worried about you, silly girl. Nobody should have to come to school like that. And your caretaker should be taking better care of you."

I grimace.

"Yui-san does take care of me," I tell her speaking up and finally looking the principal in the eye. Then, realizing how rude I've been, I duck my head. "She's the only one that's kept me."

"Have you been to many homes?" the Principal asks.

I nod.

"Then we will not dispute the placement, but should anything like this happen again, you should contact us immediately."

I nod.

"Very well, young Hoki, I think its best if you head home for the day. Get a good night's rest. There will be no consequences this time, but I would like for you to check-in with Aizawa-sensei each morning before first period."

I nod, Principal Nezu stands, and I give a little bow before leaving.

.

.

.

Yui-san is less than thrilled. She meets me at the door when I arrive, hand on her hip and lips thin, and I know it's about the phone call.

She's even less happy at the state of my room.

"Why do you let them run over you?" she grunts as she looks at the mess. "I told you not to be passive or they'll think your weak. And getting UA involved? Do you have any idea what they could do? They could take my job and split all of you up? Girl, I know you didn't mean it, but you've gotta be careful what you say."

I stare at my feet as she rants.

She rants for what feels like forever.

When she finishes, she goes off to find Shin. He's put on garden and bathroom detail for a month. Dinner is a frigid affair, and to make it worse, Niko decides to join us for once. The room is quiet as the tension folds in on itself, the elephant girl glaring and me trying to eat my rice and ignore it. It gets harder and harder as a wave of irrational anger continues to rise.

"One little prank and you've got to run snitching to the heroes?" Niko asks. "Your pathetic."

I say nothing, grinding my teeth.

"Niko, hush and eat your food." Yui-san rebukes mildly. She doesn't disagree, and my chest aches at that thought.

"So you're just going to take her side?"

"Don't think I don't know who the mastermind behind that stunt was," Yui-san snaps pointing her chopsticks dangerously. "You're lucky the shit you pulled hasn't gotten us shutdown."

Down the table, another child groans.

I chew mechanically, the food tasting like ash in my mouth.

"It wasn't anything harmful," Shin says, rolling his eye. "She's more dangerous with those shadows than we are."

"It doesn't matter," Yui-san starts. Nikko interrupts.

"It does," Nikko says angrily. "She gets into that damn school and suddenly she's your fucking golden child. Well, guess what, Yui-san, there are more of us here than just her!"

There's a murmur of agreement. I squeeze the chopsticks dangerously in my hand. Nikko pushes away from the table and stands.

"Everyone thinks your so perfect," she sneers, looking me head-on. "But you're the one that robbed those stores at what, five? Six? How many people have you threatened? How many have you hurt? I know why you left those other homes. You're not a hero, you're a fucking villain."

The chopsticks snap.

"Shut up," I shout, pushing my chair back and standing. It rattles to the floor and the room quiets. I glare, rage filling me again. Black shadows lick my body, rising up like flames, hot and angry across my skin. "Shut up!"

"Now Rin-"

"No!" I scream and the shadows jump towards the ceiling, licking the ceiling and curling in dangerous barbs. "It's not 'Now Rin!' Just leave me alone!"

Before I can think about it any further, I kick away the chair and leave out through the front door and onto the street. I don't care. I'm so angry I can't care.

So I run.

.

.

.

I run and run and run and run until I find a quiet alley and duck into it.

Folding my arms around my legs, I press my hands to my head and grab my hair.

"Why me?" I ask, eyes watering and throat aching. I scream. "WHY!?"

Daddy. Mama. My brothers.

Why?

Why does everyone I love always leave? Why does everything always fall apart?

Nobody answers.

Nobody cares.

I stay there until nearly ten. Then, with nowhere else to turn to, I return.