At Sensei's departure, an awkward silence fills the room. I return to the bed, curling by the pillows and holding my legs. My stomach twists in knots and my mind becomes a repetition of events, replaying the scene again and again like a broken record stuck in a distressing loop. I see his expression, wounded, I hear his voice, so wrong, I feel his kiss, soft and sweet. It's like staring in a broken mirror, only the jagged pieces are all wrong. It's like a kick to the gut, and I have to relearn to breathe. Midnight, however, doesn't move. She watches the door for even longer, her face screwed up in what is clearly deep thought. She doesn't look particularly happy when she looks away, and I avert my gaze when she turns to me.

But she doesn't speak.

Instead, she passes the bed and starts rummaging through her things.

I say nothing and bite my lip, wishing I could sink into the floor and just disappear.

Why'd you have to open your big mouth?

You've always got to ruin things, don't you?

This is why no one wants you.

My chest aches with strange emotions as the scenes play again, as I remember the way he flinched.

You're wrong, Rin. But we'll have that discussion later.

What does that even mean?

I breathe deeply, lips trembling and eyes watering. The sigh I exhale rattles in my chest.

"Baby girl," Midnight murmurs, not looking up from her bags, her belongings scattered messily across the floor. Yamada-sensei would fuss if he were here. But he's not. He left. Again. "I know you're upset, and that this situation isn't exactly ideal, but no matter what Hizashi's shortcomings may be, and I promise you he has plenty, if there's one thing you can count on, it's that he cares. A lot."

The tears in my eyes burn even as they leak over, spilling down my face. I press my forehead into my knees and try to ignore them.

"I don't want to talk about it," I whisper, and I hate the way my voice cracks when I speak.

"I figured," Midnight says, and she makes a little noise as she finds whatever she's searching for. She pulls a thick, binder like book from one of her many, scattered bag. "It's still fairly early to have to make a decision about what you want to do tonight so-"

She cuts off when I choke on a breath.

"What?" she asks, eyebrows furrowing.

"I… I still get to choose?" I mumble, not understanding. Her lips dip into a frown and she sets the binder at the end of the bed before stepping closer, close enough to touch if I wanted. But for once, she doesn't reach out.

"Rin," she says, squatting until we're eye-level. "No one, not me or Shouta or Hizashi, will ever punish you for feeling a certain way. You're allowed to be mad as hell at Hizashi, you're allowed to dislike me, and you're allowed to miss Shouta. We told you it was your choice and its still your choice. Okay?"

I sniffle, digging my nails into the flesh of my legs.

They bite into the skin painfully, but its grounding. It's easier to deal with then the maelstrom of emotions beating inside. Midnight notices and her expression turns disapproving, but she doesn't step forward and she doesn't make a comment.

"Why?" I whisper.

"Why what baby girl?"

Why are you being so nice?

Why aren't you yelling?

Why do you care?

"Why didn't he want me?" spills out instead. Midnight's face crumbles, tears escaping from her eyes, real tears. I don't know what to do in the face of them. So I stare, a thousand questions swirling in my mind. I don't understand her, I don't understand any of them.

You're wrong, Rin. But we'll have that discussion later.

"I can't answer that," she says, her voice a sweet caress. It's worse than Yui-san's slap. It burns with a heat that envelops my entire core. It leaves my throat raw and my face aching. "It's not my place."

"I don't dislike you," I whisper, slowly unfurling.

"I didn't say you did," Midnight whispers back, her smile watery. "Only that I wouldn't punish you for it. You can feel any way you like."

I watch her, the dark hair cascading down her back, black as mine. The blue eyes rimmed in red behind full, thick lashes and a familiar pair of glasses. The loose posture of her back as she reclines so close—close enough I can smell the slightly sweet scent mixed with something cooler. She doesn't turn away, doesn't step back, or try to move forward. She just sits there, her low-cut shirt untucked from the high-waisted shorts. She just sits there and waits.

And she looks so sad.

"Do… Do you want a hug?"

A quiet sort of smile tugs at her lips. It doesn't make her look any less sad.

"Always."

I believe that.

I lean forward and she catches me, arms pulling me close, cradling me into her chest in a way that makes my heart ache all the more.

.

.

.

Midnight's ability to hug someone is much longer than my own. After several long minutes, when my tears are dried and the embarrassing realization that I'm acting like a baby takes hold, I try to squirm away. She doesn't let me.

She's worse than a leech.

And no matter how I try to slip away, she seems to have a counter.

"I thought you were offering a hug?" she asks innocently.

"Your time's up," I tell her trying to adopt Aizawa-sensei's gruff tone. It doesn't work and she giggles, nuzzling closer. I throw up an arm and try climbing over her instead. All I manage is to get a face full of boobs and a handful of hair. She's not even phased. "Aunt Nemuri!"

"Rin!" she whines. "My hugs don't have time limits!"

"Mine do!" I announce, twisting to try and pry her fingers away. "This is why you don't get hugs."

"Oh, so cruel! I get tons of hugs, thank you very much. And kisses too, do you want a kiss Rin-chan?"

My face burns and I shoot her a flustered glare.

"No! You can't control yourself."

"That's true," she says smirking. "In fact, I feel the urge rising already!"

"Aunt-"

I cut off when she flips ups both onto the bed, rolls, and somehow manages to put herself on top. I barely manage to breathe before she's leaning forward, plastering my face in quick, squelching kisses. I squeal, throwing up my arms, and try to push her away.

"Stop! Hey! Don't!"

"More?" she asks, stopping for a moment to suck in a deep breath. My eyes widen.

"No! I didn't-"

She leans back in again and I can't stop the giggles. With one hand I cover my face and the other I twist into the sheets, trying to crawl across the bed. She lets me for all of a second. Then, her fingers are on my hips and she just sticks her face in my stomach and starts kissing that too. It's the weirdest feeling ever. Nobody's ever kissed my stomach.

And it tickles.

I choke on laughter as her kisses turn to tickles and my traitorous skin lights up the room.

"Auntie!" I squeak and nearly kick her twice when she finally backs away, hands held up in defense. I scowl, but it's not really effective when you look like a lightbulb.

"Sorry, sorry, I couldn't help myself. You're just so cute! It makes me wanna eat-"

"Don't you dare," I growl, rolling to the other side of the bed. I focus and force the light away. She smirks as if amused that I think a bed could protect me from her. She's probably right.

"Alright, I'll be good," she laughs, her grin just a tad too wide. "Why don't I order us some dinner to make it up to you? Are you okay with noodles? Those probably won't be All Might-shaped."

I give her a suspicious side-eye and nod. She seems to find that even funnier. Still, she pulls out her phone and starts typing and I reluctantly pull out my own, still sending her nervous glances to make sure she doesn't try anything.

She doesn't.

After three more checks, I open my messages and force my focus away. I smile when I notice Shinsou's text.

How's the beach?

My smile dims.

Ok I guess. They're having an All Might festival.

I back out and glance at my other contacts. Toshinori-san's discussion from earlier echoes in my head and I pull at my fingers.

So, what were you telling us? Midoriya and All Might fought a villain on the I-island?

Midoriya? Is he okay?

I start a new message and pause as I try to determine how to word it.

Hey, so Toshinori-san said you and All Might fought a villain on an island. Are you okay? Would it be weird to ask him to send a picture to prove it? What if he's lying? What would I do about it if he was? I could tell Sensei…

Shinsou's message pops up at the top of the screen and I click back over.

You don't sound too excited about that.

Responding to Shinsou is always easy.

I'm not. All Might is scary.

I hit send and pause.

Hey, how do you ask someone if they're okay without sounding weird?

He sends me a curious faced emoji and I don't know if it's in regard to my comments on All Might or Midoriya. I sigh, maybe a little too loudly, and Midnight pauses in her conversation to glance my way. I notice and narrow my eyes.

What are you talking about? Shinsou messages back. Before I can message him, my phone dings again. Just ask what's up? Or if they're enjoying their break and go from there.

Oh. Thanks.

You're so weird sometimes. And doesn't All Might teach you? What do you mean he's scary? Like you're actually afraid to be around him or you just don't like him?

I stare at the message and wonder if I should call.

He teaches Heroics, but we only take it twice a week. You don't think he's scary? He's huge and loud and he can crush your skull with just his hands.

I grimace and wonder if I should add the part about Daddy.

Haven't you done enough tonight?

I delete the message entirely.

It's not a big deal, I type instead. How is training?

I pull up a new message with Midoriya and decide to take Shinsou's approach.

Hi. How is your summer?

Before I can add more, my phone lights up and rings. I smile at Shinsou's grainy picture flashes on the screen.

"Is it okay if I talk on the balcony?" I ask Midnight. She glances curiously over her shoulder before shrugging.

"Sure, I'll knock when the food arrives."

I answer the phone and slide the door open, the smell of salt and smoke and laughter filling the air as I shut it behind me. The patio chair is cool despite the warm day, the long shadows of the building spilling over the sand and into the ocean.

"Hello?"

"Took you long enough."

I blush at the dull voice. It reawakens the ache in my chest and I realize with a pang, that after two days apart, I miss him.

"Sorry," I mumble, turning sideways in the chair so my legs hang over the side.

"Why are you apologizing?" he asks, and I can hear the suspicion in his voice. I imagine his expression, eyes narrowed, purple hair scattered and unkempt. "Did something happen? You're acting like you do when you get in trouble."

I sigh before I can catch myself.

"Like that," he says.

Rude.

I exhale more quietly.

"I'm grounded," I admit, trapping my phone between my shoulder and head to pull at my shirt. "I… I kind of walked off yesterday, and today wasn't much better. Yamada-sensei's mad at me so I'm probably going to get one lecture tonight from Aizawa-sensei and another in the morning when Yamada-sensei gets back."

He snorts.

"Tch, you're such a delinquent. Why'd you walk off, to rescue a kitten? Knowing you it was probably something ridiculous."

My face burns.

"N-N-No! I… I saw this guy falling in the sand. Nobody would help him, and they just kept walking by, it was awful! And then he lost his paper so I… I brought it back."

"Wow. That sounds like a real emergency."

I scowl.

"I couldn't do nothing!" I snap.

"I'm so not going there. I figured something had to be going on though. Sensei's been riding my ass since you left, and he only gets like that when you're being a pain. Saving people from sand, starting fights with Present Mic, and going to a festival for a guy you're scared of. You're on a roll, huh?"

I wrinkle my nose.

"You make it sound stupid," I admit quietly.

Shinsou huffs.

"Well, you're the one that said it wasn't a big deal. I mean, if it were me, I'd probably be pretty upset. But I figured you didn't want to talk about it."

I smile shyly and duck my head.

"Yeah. I miss you."

He chokes on his end.

"Don't just say stuff like that!" he splutters, and I know if he were here, he'd have red ears.

"Why not? It's true."

"Hoki!"

"Rin," I correct, smile fading. "You keep forgetting."

"Whatever Doll."

"Can you control someone over the phone?" I ask curiously. I pull my phone from my ear as it dings. New Message. I try to open it, but the screen just returns to the call. "Oh, Midoriya responded. I can't see it when I talk though. I guess I'll look at it later."

Shinsou goes quiet for a moment.

"Midoriya?"

"Yeah," I admit, staring over the balcony railing at the ocean. As the darkness closes in, it looks more ominous, like a dark beast resting against the sand. "He was in a villain attack this weekend. I just… I just wanted to make sure he was okay."

"You gonna sit in his lap again?" Shinsou asks. I huff.

"Whatever. Have you managed to throw the capture weapon?"

"Yes!"

He sounds so proud I can't help but snicker.

"How many times did you get tangled up?" I ask, grinning.

"Shut up."

.

.

.

Talking to Shinsou is easy, almost too easy. I quickly lose track of time and when Midnight comes to knock on the door, I'm surprised to see food in her hand. She smirks, offers me the box, and disappears back inside with a wink.

She's so weird.

I hang up with Shinsou quickly, scarf down my food, and finally glance at Midoriya's text.

Hoki-chan! I wasn't expecting to see a message from you! My summer's been great! How about you? Did you do anything fun?

The tension in my shoulders loosens as I can hear his bubbly voice when I read.

I'm good. I'm at the beach for a few days for the festival. I saw Toshinori-san today. He said you fought a villain this weekend, I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

Like most of my classmates, his response is incredibly fast.

Who is Toshinori?

I blush, feeling idiotic. Especially since, I don't really know. Does he even teach?

Sorry! He works at UA, maybe you've seen him around? He's really skinny with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He usually wears super baggy clothes. He's really nice.

I wonder if I've said something wrong when he doesn't answer right away, but I shrug it away. Instead, I head in the hotel room, not surprised to see Midnight sprawled out on the bed with her phone in hand. She looks up when I walk in.

"Oh? All done? You ready to call Shouta? I figured we should get it out of the way before we go anywhere, if we're going anywhere that is. Did you decide what you wanted to do?"

I nod and she lifts a perfectly manicured brow expectantly.

"The hotel party?" I half ask, half suggest.

She smirks.

"I thought you might say that. But, first you should call. You want me to step out for this one?"

I frown and rub at my arms.

"Th-That's okay," I offer, looking away, "You… You don't have to."

That look's there again, the too soft one that makes my insides tremble and my stomach churn. I'm thankful when Midoriya responds and I have a reason to pull out my phone and look away.

Oh yeah, we've meet like a couple times. I didn't know his name though so that's why I didn't recognize him, sorry. Yeah, you're talking about I-Island, right? It was so neat, there. They specialize in a lot of the hero support items and they had a ton of different things! There was a villain, but All Might was there to help stop him. I mean, I helped too, but we weren't the only ones that fought or anything. A bunch of our classmates were there too, Mineta, Kaminari, Iida, Kirishima, Kaa-chan, Yaoyorozu, Jirou, and Uraraka! It was on the news too; did you not see that? I mean, I guess that makes sense if you're at the beach. Oh, are you at the All Might festival? I've been six times; they sell the coolest stuff! You can even get food shaped like him! Are you there with Present Mic? I heard on his radio station that he was going to DJ at the event, there's supposed to be like a ton of heroes there too.

Midnight giggles as I read.

"He's so weird," I mumble, wondering what Shinsou would say if he read this.

Wow…

"I can see that message from over here," Midnight laughs, sitting up in the bed. "It looks like they wrote you a book. Who in the world are you talking to?"

"Midoriya-kun," I admit scratching my head. "He texts like he talks."

"Well, message him back in a little bit," she says, shaking her head. "Go ahead and call Shouta and you can talk to him while I get ready."

I nod and back out of the message, pulling up my guardian's phone number. I don't wait for her to clear the room, but instead, go ahead and hit the green call button. It only rings once tonight.

"Hello?"

I smile at the familiar baritone.

I figured something had to be going on though. Sensei's been riding my ass since you left, and he only gets like that when you're being a pain.

"Hi Sensei," I answer back sweetly. He pauses and I take advantage of the silence and press on. "Did you have a good day?"

"Yes," he draws out, and I can imagine his expression just as easily as Shinsou's. I giggle at the confusion in his tone. "You sound happy."

"Shinsou called," I admit, pulling at my fingers. "He said he finally got the hang of throwing the capture weapon! I'm excited for him. And I was also texting Midoriya-kun, did you know he was in a villain attack over the weekend? I wanted to check that he was okay. It's kind of hard to tell over a text, but he didn't seem upset. He was really excited about the festival, apparently he's been six times! That's so many! Hey, did you know this was an All Might festival? How come you didn't tell me?"

"You didn't ask," he says, and I pout. "And yes, I knew about the attack. UA gets notified of any attempts against students or their families."

"Oh," I say. "We're going to the hotel's party tonight."

"Are you?" Sensei asks, tone bored. I wonder what he's doing.

"Yes. Did you play with Miska today?"

He snorts.

"Yes, Rin."

"Sensei, what are you doing?"

"Talking to you. You sound like someone fed you too much candy."

I huff, mildly insulted.

"I haven't had any candy today!" I insist, folding my legs under me as I sit on the bed. "I did have pancakes for breakfast though. They were shaped like All Might's head. It was so weird! He had bacon hair and fruit eyes. Midoriya-kun was really excited about it though, I thought he was close to All Might. Why would he want to eat him?"

"I have no idea."

I wait for more, but it doesn't come.

I sigh and flop onto my back.

"Sensei," I whine. "Why aren't you talking?"

"You asked me why your classmate would want to eat All Might. I have no idea." I groan and he huffs in amusement. "If you want a conversation, you're going to have to come up with a topic that isn't ridiculous. We can talk about your comments today."

I roll over and pout.

"I don't wanna."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't," I answer, a little more forcefully. He makes a noise in the back of his throat and I can hear the unspoken words. Watch your tone. I wilt. "Sorry. I… Yamada-sensei's going to lecture me in the morning. Can… Can you not?"

"Rin," he says, not answering either way. "You're not in trouble."

Liar.

"So you're not about to yell at me for not saying something sooner?"

"I don't yell at you," he answers flatly, clearly insulted. "If you want to talk about something else first, that's fine. But the way your responding shows me you're upset by what happened. Whether I am physically present or not, the rules have not changed. If something is bothering you, you're expected to tell me."

I scowl.

"I'm fine," I mumble, staring at my hands. "I… I just don't want to think about it... Please."

Sensei sighs, and I wonder if he's running a hand through his hair. I wonder if it's up in a bun or still hanging loose around his head. I wonder if he's shaved.

I wonder if he really wants me back.

"Very well, we'll discuss it when you get home."

I don't even bother to hide my relief.

"Yes, sir," I whisper, thankful.

"What have you done today?"

.

.

.

Sensei doesn't talk long, though he does make me recount my entire day. By the time I hang up, Midnight is dressed and working on my hair, brushing it out and pulling it back in a big bow. Her fingers are so different than Yamada and Aizawa-sensei. They remind me of Mama, the way her nails drag through my hair, the feeling of the tips scratching against my scalp.

I close my eyes and remember her, the sharp features of her face. But mostly I remember her red nails.

"Mama used to do my hair," I admit.

"Is she the one who taught you to braid?" Midnight asks, voice soft.

"No, Kaito did. Mama brushed it though. She didn't like tangles; she said pretty girls shouldn't have tangles."

"Oh? Is that why you always keep it braided?"

"Yes, ma'am," I answer, glancing backward when she puts her hands down. "Thank you."

"Of course dear," she offers a bright smile. "Your shirt looks good, but go change into a different pair of shorts, would you? Do you have any dark-colored ones?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good."

It only takes a few minutes to change and be ready. As soon as I am, Midnight is pushing me towards the door, down the stairs, and back towards the pool. It's nowhere near as crowded as the beach, but there's still a lot of people. They clump together in small clusters in and around the pool with plates and drinks in hand. Some of the hotel staff loiter about as well, one behind a bar working furiously and another flipping long skewers on an open grill. Midnight pats my shoulder as I take them all in, before giving me a little wink.

"I'm going to get a drink. If you need me, I'll be near the pool chairs, okay? If you need to use the restroom or leave for any reason, come get me first, got it?"

"Yes ma'am."

She smiles and wanders off, leaving me alone. I just kind of stand there for a long moment, feeling lost and uncomfortable.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

I glance around again, and despite it being close to eight and the sun having long since disappeared behind us, it isn't dark. Beautiful fairy lights twinkle above in long zig-zag patterns, bright and shining against the overcast sky.

"Rin-chan!"

I smile a little as the boy from yesterday notices me, hurrying towards me from a small group of people. I try to recall his name. Touya? His little sister trails behind him grinning widely as she hangs onto his shirttail.

"Touya-kun," I mumble, somewhat uncomfortable at such a familiar address. He hadn't given me a family name though. I pull at my fingers. "Hi."

He stops within arm's reach and grins, his smile bright. He pushes dark hair out of his face like he's nervous, before stuffing them in the pockets of his pants.

"Hey! I'm glad you came! This is my little sister, Ami, by the way. You met yesterday, yeah? Come hang out with us, I'll introduce you to my friends!"

He nods towards a group of teenagers and starts heading that way. I hesitate for only a moment but ultimately follow. Ami grins as I do, releasing her brother to stand near.

"You look really pretty," she says in an almost sing-song voice.

I blink, before feeling my face heat.

I… I have no idea what to say.

"O-O-Oh, uh… I mean… th-thank you?"

She laughs, clearly delighted at my flustered state, and makes a grab for my hand. She moves so much slower than Sensei, than any of my classmates really. I could easily pull away. I don't.

"Did you go to the festival?" she asks curiously. "Big brother and I did! It was so much fun! We got All Might keychains! He's so cool! Plus Ultra! One day I'm gonna be a hero too!"

I smile awkwardly.

"Oh, that's… that's cool…"

Touya turns back and gives me a weird look.

"She's got a pretty powerful quirk," he says defensively. I wonder if maybe I've messed up already. He lets it go pretty quickly though, turning toward the three others hanging together. "Guys, this is Rin-chan."

"Oh, I remember you!" squeaks the only other girl there. If I remember correctly, she was one of their girlfriends. She's pretty, with long silver hair and big, bright eyes. She offers a playful smirk. "You were in the pool yesterday, right? I'm Keiko by the way. Girl, you're so ripped! You must work out all the time! Do you play sports or something?"

Beside her, the rather skinny guy (who kept trying to knock me off my feet yesterday) huffs.

"Oi, Kei, chill."

"Oh whatever, Yoshi. Don't be a buzzkill, we all know you're just jealous she's got bigger guns than you."

The boy scowls and I scratch my neck uncomfortably. Beside me, Touya looks equally uneasy, rubbing at his arm.

"We were just talking about the Festival," says another guy, one I haven't met before. He's bigger than the others and his quirk is clearly the mutation kind, making his skin look like a shiny cracked rock. It seems similar to Kirishima's when he's transformed, but smoother, and more of an onyx color with thick molten veins. "My name is Taisho, it's a pleasure to meet you. Why? Touya has spoken highly of you. There is a rumor going around that All Might's here at the big hero event downtown. I'm not certain that I believe it though. Why? It seems illogical. The Voice hero, Present Mic, is there and I think he would use the publicity to increase his ratings."

"That's true, I know I heard some people saying Present Mic was staying here too," Keiko says, rolling her eyes and flipping her hair over her shoulder. "You know that one man yesterday said he even got a photo with him at the pool, but we were out here all afternoon and I didn't see any heroes."

"That… That doesn't mean he wasn't," Touya argues and I'm surprised at how emotional he sounds about it. I glance towards the rude skinny one, but he just glares back. Touya goes on excitedly. "Awe man, can you imagine how cool it would be to meet him! Not to see them on tv, but to actually meet a hero in real life?"

"So cool," the little girl, Ami, whispers excitedly, squealing a little.

Touya gives her an annoyed look but doesn't stop her.

It kind of reminds me of Ryu's glares. I smile a little nostalgically. Only to realize they're looking at me, clearly wanting some sort of input, and I falter.

"I… uh... guess?"

"What's wrong, Rin-chan, don't you think heroes are cool?" asks Yoshi snidely.

"Yoshi-kun, you should not be rude," the rock-like boy huffs. Taisho, I try to remind myself. Then he turns to me with a frown. "Rin-chan, we have only just met, but you appear to lack proper respect for heroes. As an aspiring Hero-In-Training at the Shiketsu High, I must wonder at your priorities as well. Why? Because heroes are important members of society that protect us from many dangers."

"Taisho!" Touya whispers, eyes going wide even as his face purples.

I blink, still processing the high-handed insult.

I frown.

"What is Shiketsu?" I ask.

All three teens groan in unison and the rock boy seems to actually enlarge, chest puffing out, bald head shifting back.

"Shiketsu is the greatest High School in Western Japan! A school that truly values the excellence of heroism! Why? They are some of the greatest-"

I stop listening and raise an eyebrow. Normally, this would be the point I walk off. But when I glance over at Touya, noticing the way his shoulders cave forward, the way his hand against his face, and the dark color still dusting his cheeks, I decide against it. Instead, I scratch my neck and turn back to the stone-boy still talking. When he takes a deep breath, likely to keep going, I interrupt.

"Oh... I go to U.A.," I say with a little shrug.

The reaction is immediate. As if in unison, all four still and their jaws drop to the floor. I have no idea why. Keiko's expression takes on a hungry look, the Rock seems taken aback, the Rude-One looks like he's eaten a lemon, and Touya... Touya's blush is even deeper. I open my mouth to say... something. I'm not really sure what, but I'm cut off by Keiko's sudden explosion of movement. In a burst of speed I hadn't expected from the slim girl, Keiko attaches to my arm in the way an octopus might. Her arms slithering across my forearm, fingers pressing against my biceps. The touch makes my stomach tighten, the shadows stir beneath my skin, and I immediately try to flinch away.

I can't.

It's like she's suctioned herself on.

Is it a quirk?

"That's why you're so ripped? Like OMG! Are you in the hero program? Is it true All Might works at your school? Wait, do you know Present Mic? This is so crazy!"

I have never so quickly regretted opening my mouth.

She's worse than the stone boy, talking faster than Yamada-sensei in a mood and clinging so tightly it would put Midnight to shame. I try to pry her away and she somehow manages to grab more, with the little girl taking up the other arm, lip trembling as she starts tugging at my shirt.

The rude one outright glares and Touya looks ready to combust.

My breaths come more quickly, my heart pounds in my ears, and I struggle with the rising panic suddenly surging in my throat. It tastes like acid in my mouth and I wish, more than anything, I could sink into the floor and just disappear.

So I'm thankful when Midnight appears, clearing her throat.

"Rin-chan, what are you over here doing?"

"Midnight!" I exclaim, chest swelling with appreciation.

She opens her mouth, likely to remind me to call her Auntie, but the effect is just as abrupt. The two girls spring forward and in seconds are hanging off her arms, with Rock-boy rushing in for several questions as well. I take the opportunity to slip further back, ignoring the ill-tempered Yoshi and casting an apologetic glance towards Touya.

Head down with his face in his hands, he doesn't notice.

Midnight does. Her eye ticks and she gives a strangled smile that promises retribution in the immediate future.

I don't care.

I slip away, past several groups, and sigh as I step into the shadows of a hedge. It's quiet, cool, and thankfully solitary. I sag and rub my face, the threat of my rising shadows disappearing along with the rising panic. I take several deep breaths just in case, squatting down and leaning forward as I do.

What a disaster.

I should have just stayed in the room.

I'm so caught up in my thoughts, it takes me a moment to hear the quiet psstt behind me.

But once I hear it, it's impossible to ignore. Slowly, I twist, still squatting on my ankles. It takes a moment to find the sound, it takes even longer to process. Because… For some reason, the shrub less than a yard away is talking. And even weirder, it has a face.

"Hey, you. Kid. I know you see me. Come here."

I do.

What else do you do with a talking bush?

"It's you, isn't it? The girl from yesterday?"

I squint in the dark shadows and vaguely make out a familiar face. Brown hair, a heavily lined face.

"You're the man from the beach," I realize, blinking. "Why are you in the bush?"

"Thank god," he grumbles, sounding far less pleased. "Listen, kid, you're in serious danger. You need to come with me now before things get out of hand. Things are only gonna get worse the longer you let it fester. I've been hanging around this hell hole as much as I can, trying to mitigate the damages, but these things have an exponential effect."

He stares at me and I blink back.

"Huh?"

What is he talking about?

I can't leave, Sensei would be upset.

If it happens again, I'm coming to get you. This is your only warning.

"You're one of those types?" he snaps, and I flinch back at the venom in his tone. "Fine. I don't have time for this, but fine. Fine, just listen. My quirk is luck. It's a reality-altering quirk that is constantly manipulating the probabilities inside my area of influence. However, due to the laws of constancy, it does this by secreting an equal and opposite toxin that affects anyone I touch with what amounts to an anti-luck substance. When you touched my skin yesterday, you infected yourself, and every time my luck quirk pulses, you're being affected as well."

I choke.

"W-W-Wait, what?"

The man's face screws up in obvious disgust.

"Girl, are you stupid? I just explained this. You're cursed, you've got bad luck. Haven't you noticed shitty things keep happening all day? Accidents occurring more frequently? Fights happening more often? It just feels like coincidences at first, but you string 'em together and you get one shitty day after another."

What bad timing.

My stomach churns.

"I… Yes."

"Exactly, it's just going to get worse. The closer we are, the more I can use my quirk to cancel the trouble, but I'm not staying in this damn bush all night. So you need to come with me so I can give you the antidote."

I swallow and step away, shaking my head as I move away.

All you had to do was call me. If you'd just come back to the car, told me what was going on, we could have come up with a plan, and there'd have been no issues.

"I… I can't. My- My aunt-"

"Your-" he splutters, his face becoming wrathful. "Your aunt! Kid, this shit will kill you! We don't have time-"

My phone goes off in my pocket, and I pull it out to see Midnight's contact listed on the screen.

"She's just over there-"

"No!" he snarls and the bushes rattle as he sticks out a small white card. "Take this and show it to no one. I don't need your damn parents getting their panties all in a wad because you can't keep your hands to yourself. The address is on there. Come tonight, in the morning, whenever you decide to not be a fucking idiot. But, the longer you wait, the more dangerous it is for you and anyone around you."

My throat tightens at his ominous words, the phone still ringing continuously in my hands.

"W-Wait-"

"The address kid, no adults."

He doesn't wait as I step forward, quickly vacating the bush in seconds. My phone stops ringing, probably going to voicemail, and a hand settles on my shoulder.

I jump and twist, nearly screaming at the sudden, unexpected contact. Midnight stands half covered in the shadows, long hair melting into the night, blue eyes shining dangerously. She gives me a sharp look.

"Rin-chan, what are you doing? Why are you staring at the bushes? And why didn't you answer your phone?"

I open my mouth to say something, to explain, but nothing comes out. Instead, I stuff the business card in my pocket and cross my arms, feeling my body tremble in confusion, concern, and an overwhelming fear.

The longer you wait, the more dangerous it is for you and anyone around you.

Midnight's disapproval shifts to worry as she leans forward, fingers sweeping through my hair. At her warm touch, I realize I'm cold. She seems to realize it too, both hands running down my face, neck, across my shoulders and arms. Warm against the gooseflesh of my skin.

And anyone around you…

Kid, this shit will kill you!

"Rin, you're freezing and you look like you've seen a ghost. What's wrong?"

No adults.

"Rin?"

I stare into her blue eyes, the color darkened by the night. They look like the ocean in the darkness. I shiver and search for an excuse, for some reason to prolong the inevitable. I need to think. I need to decide. I need...

No adults.

"C-C-Can we go back to-to the room?" I stutter out, leaning forward as her hands press against my back, drawing me to her. I push into her softness, setting my face in the warmth below her collarbone, appreciating the way her hold tightens and her scent envelops.

"Of course, baby girl. Is something wrong? Did something happen?"

"I-I'm t-t-tired," I whisper.

She frowns, clearly not believing a word, but nods all the same.

"Alright, let's go."

I say nothing and follow her back in.