I've never been to a hot spring before.

I don't know what I was expecting, but a giant rock pit filled with steaming water that smells of a combination of egg and oils isn't really it. It's rather big though, overall, with a section for girls and another for boys separated by a tall wooden fence. I follow the girls to our side, changing and showering in a locker room before wrapping myself in a towel. I twist my hair up on top of my head and off of my neck with a hair tie. I don't miss the stares. There's always stares, but for some reason, they don't bother me as much this time.

I test the waters with my foot and nearly sigh as the near scorching temperatures soak into my aching feet.

This is nice…

"Wow…" sighs the earphone girl as she sinks into the water. "These hot springs are amazing!"

Several of the others moan in agreement, and Ponytail sighs wistfully as she reclines on a rock with her legs submerged.

I sink into it too, closing my eyes and leaning back my head.

"Hey, so did anyone do anything fun over the break?" Mina asks.

"Oh! Yes! I did!"

I smile, not looking up, as Toru begins excitedly talking about a boy she met at the mall who had been texting her non-stop all summer. Ponytail—Momo, I quickly learn, admits to going on a short trip with her family to the beach. Uraraka giggles about training and helping out her parents.

I listen with half an ear as my muscles slowly unwork themselves in the heat.

"What about you Rin-chan?" Tsuyu asks, wading through the water towards my side.

I crack open an eye and reluctantly lift my head.

"I trained," I admit tiredly, stifling a yawn. "And… And I went to the beach for the first time."

"For the first time?" Momo asks, looking a little incredulous.

"Really, you've never been?" earphone questions, scooting a little closer. She tilts her head to the side curiously. "Any particular reason why? I mean, if it's money they usually offer discount train tickets in the summer."

I flush and blink, having not expected a conversation.

I'm usually bad at those.

"Oh… I… No. We didn't take trips like that in… in the group homes," I say rolling my sore shoulders to try and work out the kinks. I kind of wish Sensei was here, that thing he did with his hand would feel pretty amazing right now. At the awkward silence that follows, I wonder if I said something wrong. Did I say something wrong? I decide to go on, maybe they just want to hear more? I wish they'd just say so... "I… It was nice! I went with my godparents and it was, um... nice. The hotel had nice sheets and there weren't any bugs and it even smelled good though the sand kind of got everywhere and-"

I cut off as their faces all transform into varying degrees of shock and horror.

I groan and sink into the water.

"Ugh… I did it wrong again," I grumble petulantly as I pout. "I'm sorry."

Ochako immediately starts waving her hands.

"Oh no! Oh no! Don't be sorry!" she squeaks, her face pinking. "You didn't do anything wrong!"

"Yeah, ribbit!" Tsuyu says, her own expression relaxing. "You just surprised us. Have you been to a lot of hotel rooms?"

Earphone, who hadn't commented, still seems disturbed. Momo, reclining beside her, shares a look.

"I guess," I answer with a shrug, frowning at their nervousness. "Anytime they move you at night or if it's far away."

"Did they move you a lot?" Toru asks. She sounds hesitant. Of course, it's hard to tell since I can't really see her. I pull at my fingers under the water.

"Yes."

I'd moved so much, I hadn't really thought of it as anything but life. So, I'm completely unprepared when Mina glides through the water and all but chokes me in a hug.

Is this how Sensei feels?

I blush and squirm uncomfortably as her naked chest presses against me, her cheeks rubbing into mine.

"How cruel!" Invisible squeaks.

I blink.

Then, in a move perfected against Aunt Nemuri, I manage to push the pink girl off and put some space between us, frowning.

"Huh?"

"I can't believe people would take you away from your parents, and make you move so many times! And then to put you in such crappy sounding hotels!" Toru growls. The water around her splashes a little as she talks. The little droplets cling to her outline weirdly as if floating on air. "That's wrong!"

"Hey, don't judge them like that! Not every parent is good," Earphone argues. Beside her, Momo frowns deeply and nods. The earphone girl gives me an odd look. "Is it normal to move around that often? I've never met anyone who lived in a group home, but I have had friends that lived with foster families. Both of them were adopted by the people they lived with."

"I don't know," I admit, somewhat surprised. "I… I moved every few months."

Ochako, who had moved when I had to make more space, stares at me wide-eyed.

"Every few months!" she squeaks. "For how long?"

"Why?" Mina asks, looking taken aback as well.

I give them all a strange look, not at all sure how we got on this topic. Not sure how I feel about this. Not understanding why they would even want to know…

Why do you care? I want to ask.

Nobody else did…

But that's not true. I can feel that odd itchiness rise to the surface just beneath my skin. It's more than a tickle, but less than an ache. It makes me uncomfortable and warm, but maybe that's the hot spring? I shuffle back and lean against the rocks again, feeling their hot presence swelter against my skin.

I probably look like a lobster.

"You don't have to answer," Momo says watching me carefully. "We know it's probably painful and we shouldn't push."

She gives the others a knowing glance and Ochako pinks while Mina rubs her head looking embarrassed.

I frown.

What does that mean?

"It's not painful," I say, not liking the defensiveness I can hear in my voice. I scowl at the water. It's not. I don't care. It's just life. "I... They took me from Mama when I was ten. I moved every few months until I was twelve. Then... Then I stayed with Yu… with Y-Yui-san. Sen- My guardian adopted me at the end of the internships."

Ochako makes a face, probably remembering what we talked about in the mall.

Tsuyu, who hadn't really moved from her spot, looks thoughtful as she taps her chin.

"I'm glad, ribbit."

I still.

My eyebrows furrow.

"What? Why?"

The frog girl smiles easily over the water and tilts her head.

"I'm glad you were adopted," she says and to my surprise, several of the others nod. Why? "Your guardian must be very kind. You seem happier. You even glow, ribbit!"

I blush and sink back into the water, overwhelmed as a light begins to seep from my skin. Toru, Mina, and Ochako giggle, Earphone smirks, and Momo and Tsuyu smile.

"Thanks," I mumble shyly.

Thankfully, they move on and we relax into the water. I lose track of the conversation when Earphone—Kyoka changes the subject to music. Despite the nearly boiling temperatures and the sweat quickly collecting on my forehead and in my hair, it feels too good to get out. I can feel all of my the tightness in my muscles unwind, the cuts and scrapes don't hurt, and despite all of the stress of those awful woods—I can't help but smile a little at the memory of Sensei's arms pulling me to his chest.

Family…

I wonder what he's doing.

Mina is the first to climb from the hot tub. She abandons her towel completely to recline on the side of the pool, her pink skin a duskier red hue. I try not to look, but it's hard when she thrust out her chest and laughs unrestrained. She looks so carefree that I can't help but look, I can't help but notice the swell of her breast, the dark burgundy of her nipples, and the droplets of water slipping across her defined abs.

She lounges with all of the confidence of Midnight, expression rapt and voice carrying.

What's your best asset?

She doesn't have any scars.

In the home, it was rare not to. Kagura had several on her wrist and arms, tiny burns the size of cigarette heads that she usually hid behind bright, gaudy bracelets. Akira had them as well, though they were mostly discolored and gray. Niko's were on her back… and… and I suppose, now her face too.

Even Sensei had them. The stripe beneath his eye and a patch of red on his elbow I sometimes saw when he cooked.

But none of my female classmates do.

Not like mine.

Did Aunt Nemuri?

I break my musings as a loud noise breaks out from the other side of the wall.

I stiffen, as do the other girls, when I Iida's voice rises in consternation.

"Stop that at once! What you're considering is shameful! Those are our classmates on the other side! Have some respect-"

"Mineta," growls Kyoka, eyes narrowing. The earphones attached to her ears rise dangerously. "I'm gonna gut him-"

"WE'RE HERE TO OVERCOME THESE WALLS!" shouts the short boy's familiar voice.

Tsuyu's tongue winds up as her eyes narrow.

"Pervert," grumbles Ochako, sinking into the water with a scowl. She crosses both arms over her chest. Beside her, Momo does the same. "Why can't he just leave us alone?"

"PLUS ULTRA!"

"DON'T DEFILE OUR SCHOOL MOTTO LIKE THAT!"

I have an uncomfortable idea of what they're talking about, and my shadows rise instinctively to the surface even as nausea stirs in my gut. I stare up at the top of the wall like the others, a thread of doubt spinning through my thoughts.

He wasn't asking to hang out with you, he was asking to start a relationship. And considering this is Mineta, it was much more likely he was implying having sex.

He… He wouldn't do that, would he?

Your advances are not appreciated or appropriate. If you wish to continue this friendship that she clearly values, you will control yourself and act accordingly.

Did... Did he not care?

I feel my chest tighten, disgust and hurt swirling for dominance. Loud squelches slap against the wall, moving at an incredibly fast rate. I recognize the sound. Mineta's sticky balls. Why? Why doesn't he care? Something red and dark crests the wall that isn't the dark purple head I expect. It takes a moment to realize it's the kid from earlier—the one I'd made afraid.

There's a slap and scream.

"You braaaaat!"

A shout and a splash.

"A hero?" the boy asks derisively. It scratches in my chest. Fuck heroes. Fuck your stupid quirk. Go be one if you want, it's not like you ever did shit for us anyways. "Why don't you learn how to be a decent person first."

I flinch.

Nobody notices, too busy grinning at each other as the threat disappears.

I can't relax though, I can barely keep from crying.

Why?

Why would he…

"Thanks Kota!" Mina shouts, throwing out a thumbs up and a wide grin. I don't understand how she can relax so easily again.

"Mineta's really the worst," Tsuyu complains, shaking her head even as she pulls back her tongue.

The boy squeaks.

And his face goes red. Blood leaks from his nose and the sight of it triggers something. I can't explain. It's like being in the forest again, except different. Time seems to slow, the boy tilts back, a shout echoes from the other side as he loses his balance.

"Koda-kun!"

I don't think, body already moving. My hand reaches out and shadows erupt from my mouth on instinct. Thick, black tentacles stretch across the hot spring in seconds. They wrap around the boy's screaming torso like a hand, sharp nails biting into his arm. He shrieks again, voice taking on a terrified and shrill pitch as I jerk him back.

I'm up and out of the water, towel forgotten with arms outstretched. He lands in them heavily, shaking and screaming.

And there's blood…

His face is dripping in it, his arm where I grabbed him is bleeding too. I tremble, clutching the boy to my wet, naked chest, feeling the blood slide across my fingers and down my arm. The water from the hot spring dampens his shirt. The heat and smell making me dizzy.

The smell of ashes in the air.

The taste of death and plastic.

Muffled screams in my ears, with Niko bent forward, trunkless, over the two quivering children.

That high-pitched, nasal laugh...

I choke on my breath, on the panic and the slippery substance.

He's bleeding.

"Koda!?" shouts Midoriya from the other side.

"Rin's got him!" Ochako shouts back. She's already climbing out of the water as is Momo on the other side. I scramble for the door, blood dripping a trail as I go. My arms shake around the hysterical boy, my own hysteria rising as the shadows retreat, sliding down my open throat.

"Wait! Rin-chan, your clothes-"

The sound of the boy's sobs fill my ears, washing away all reason. It's like being back on the floor of the Last One, those faces staring back hollow and empty. The sobs, so childish and scared. I scramble through the door, not thinking, just reacting, and bump bodily into Midoriya. I twist automatically, protecting the boy in my arms. The action makes me slip. Strong arms surge forward though, a scarred and calloused hand grabbing at my shoulders to steady me on instinct.

"H-H-Hoki-chan-"

"My shadows, they hurt him," I tell him, feeling my own hysteria rising in the chaos. "Take- take-"

"Hoki, y-y-your clothes-"

The door slams open behind me and Green jumps, his hands still outstretched. I thrust Koda at him, into him. Already twisting to the enemy—sweet smoke in the air. Asp, I'll kill you! The screams of children. Explosions, the villain laughing. Sensei bent forward on the ground. Only it's Ochako dragging something white and long around my body.

"Rin-chan!" she chides.

"I-I-I'm going-" Midoriya stutters, and without further hesitation he's off running back towards the cabin.

I let out a sort of warbled cry as the boy's shrieks fade. Ochako's fingers press into my shoulders, Momo joining us on the pavement outside of the baths. The chaos seems to calm, the hysteria in my throat relaxing.

I lean forward, trying to breathe as a heavy blanket materializes from somewhere and settles over my shoulders. The weight helps—it grounds me.

Ten deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.

All three of us jump as the door slams open again. The boy's bath is visible for a moment, steam spilling out along with a glimpse of several head. Except, this time, Iida marches through, dragging Mineta behind him, both wrapped in short towels. The cloying scent of sulfur and hot springs fills the air.

Mineta scrambles in Iida's hold, whining and twisting and kicking uselessly.

Until he sees us.

He stops, face going slack.

His eyes widen. His lips parting.

I catch his eyes and stare, hurt. Betrayed.

Why?

I look away and bury my face in my hands.

I cry.

.

.

.

It takes several, horrible long minutes to get my breathing under control, and by the time I do, I feel embarrassed more than anything. I shrug everyone off and go to the locker room. I change into new clothes, a pair of shorts (don't think about him, don't think about him, don't think about him…) and a loose t-shirt. I don't know what to do when I finish. I don't know how to feel.

I don't want to see my classmates.

I don't want to see Sensei.

I don't want to see anyone.

I lean forward on the bench in the changing room and sniff, utterly humiliated.

What's wrong with me?

Why am I so stupid…

"Rin-chan?"

I cringe and wonder if my quirk could possibly make me disappear.

I don't answer.

Momo steps into the room nervously.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I look up with puffy red eyes and glare.

"Of course," I snap, unable to stop the bitterness and hurt. "I love having panic attacks. Maybe we should do it together. Who's next?"

She flinches and Kyoka scowls as she steps out from behind her.

"Hey, don't take it out on her," the dark-haired girl says, her ear jacks rising defensively. "We came to check on you."

"Yeah? Well, thanks. I'm great," I sneer.

My voice cracks and I can feel even the anger crumbling.

I choke and lean forward, feeling my throat tighten and the tears spill over my eyes. I cover my face and hope, maybe, they'll just go away.

I miss Shinsou.

A hand presses against my back and I nearly jump.

Momo smiles kindly, sitting on the bench beside me, her torso wrapped in a towel as Kyoka begins to change.

"I used to have panic attacks too," the dark-haired girl says quietly, rubbing her hand in slow circles. I blink at the admission and swallow, uncertain how I feel at the touch and the comfort. Even more so at the admission.

Why is she telling me this?

Why is she here?

"You… You did?"

"Yeah," she says smiling shyly. "I used to have really bad anxiety. It can be kind of scary in the moment. Was that your first one?"

I scoff and offer a bitter laugh.

Momo's eyes widen and Kyoka, half-dressed, turns to stare.

"This is the second one today," I admit pulling my knees to my chest and pulling away. I rest my forehead on my knees and close my eyes.

I just want this day to end.

"Oh, you mean with Aizawa-sensei," Momo says softly. Kyoka finishes dressing and Momo stands to grab her own shirt and shorts. "Rin-chan… did… do you want to talk about it? I mean, it always helped me, but you don't have to-"

"No," I state flatly.

Kyoka huffs and stuffs her hands into her shorts. Momo changes quickly and grabs her own clothes.

"Well if you're dressed, we should head back. You can walk with us."

I blink.

With… them?

When they don't move, I realize it's not exactly a request. I stand and grab my things, eyebrows furrowing.

Why?

As we begin walking, both girls share another look.

"What kind of training do you think we'll be doing tomorrow?" Kyoka asks, glancing my way.

"I… I don't know," I admit, confused by the inclusion. I… I don't think we've ever even spoken before, not outside of class for sure. Then, I pause and realize my answer's not true. "Well, actually it's… it's probably a lot of individual stuff. Sensei gets annoyed when people rely too heavily on their quirk. He says that's why he beats most of his opponents. He'll likely make everyone work on their weaknesses."

Kyoka raises her eyebrow. Momo smiles.

"You and Sensei must be close," Momo says, giggling. "I guess you'd have to be though, with the way he always kept you after classes."

I blush, embarrassed, and look down.

"He's amazing," I tell her quietly. "He's one of the nicest people I've ever met."

Kyoka laughs.

"Nicest?" she asks, teasingly. Something warm fills my chest. "I don't know if that'd be my first choice. Maybe strict and goofy with that sleeping bag…"

I smile at that.

His hand sweeping through my hair, holding me in his lap despite the fact that he clearly didn't want to. The way he tucked me in at night, smoothing out the blankets. The smirk on his face as he tickled my sides. His smile as I twitch my cat ears.

He chose you.

"No, he's nice," I correct her.

Kyoka shrugs as we enter the cabin, and I pause when I notice a familiar flash of fabric. A cat woman. I turn towards the figure, still, and spin back to the two girls. I hesitate for a moment, unsure what to do, before I settle on a bow.

"Thank you for walking me back," I say. That feels inadequate though. I furrow my brows as I try to find the right words for it. "I… and... and for coming to talk."

"Sure," Kyoka says, shrugging.

"What are friends for?" Momo offers with a large smile.

They turn and head towards the rooms, immediately striking up a conversation, and I watch, dumbfounded, as they walk away.

Friends?

They don't look back, and part of me is glad.

My eyes ache with unshed tears. My skin glows.

I… I don't understand.

Why?

.

.

.

The cat skirt I caught a glimpse of isn't the dark-haired woman's from earlier or even the blonde's. Instead, it belongs to a woman with bright green hair and large bright yellow eyes. A woman who, apparently, can't sit still.

"Hi? Can I help you?" asks the bouncy woman as she dances across the room and prances into a cat-themed pose. I blink at it for a moment, not really sure how to react.

And then, shaking my head, I remember why I stopped.

"I…" I pause and yawn, making sure to cover my mouth. "Excuse me, I just... I... I wanted to check on the kid."

"Oh?" the woman says, tilting her head sideways. She paws restlessly at the air and twists, so bent forward and upside down. It kind of reminds me of how Miska will roll onto her back. I'm just not sure why she's doing it. "Kota-kun? Sure! He's this way I think. I'm pretty sure I saw your classmate bring him in and-"

I stop listening as I follow her.

She's very... talkative. She kind of reminds me of Yamada-sensei, bouncing and dancing all over the place, but lacking his ability to stop. I think he'd like her.

I'm just thankful she's not touchy too.

She leads me through two different halls and to a room. The space there is empty like most of the others. Hardwood floors, tan walls, and sparse paintings. It kind of reminds me a little of one of the homes, one of the earlier ones I hadn't stayed in very long. I frown and scan the room, taking in the couch and chair. The kid, Kota, is laid out on the green sofa, clearly knocked out. The brown-haired cat woman stands nearby, locked in a quiet discussion with the blonde.

"Oh! Mandalay, I found a worried little kitten wandering about! She wanted to check on Kota-kun!"

I furrow my eyebrows at the strange nickname but restrain myself from comments. Instead, I examine the boy's arm.

Four little band-aids cover the now cleaned skin, his clothes while still damp, seem unbothered, and his face isn't bandaged.

He's okay.

A part of me that I hadn't realized was so stiff, sags in relief.

"Oh, Rin-chan, right?" says the brunette I'd met earlier at dinner. "Your classmate, Midoriya-kun, said you were the one to catch him. Thank you, you must have moved pretty fast."

"She was quick to catch that other classmate too," the blonde says, glancing over. She gives a rather vibrant thumbs up. It looks weird with her paw gloves. "I would have called you out on it, but Eraser mentioned you get anxious about too much attention. Great reflexes though!"

I don't really know what to say.

I give a polite bow and pull at my fingers.

"Thank you," I answer softly. I step back as I rise and wonder how to best extract myself under so many eyes. "I just… I hurt him and… and I wanted to check..."

"It was a lot of blood, huh?" the brunette says politely. She seems nice. I force a smile and her own seems to grow. "The smallest cuts can often look rather terrifying. They were quite shallow though. I'm sure he was more scared by the fall than anything you did. He passed out on the way here, likely from the shock. So you didn't hurt him at all, dear. In fact, you likely saved him from a rather nasty bump."

The green-haired one leans forward and grins, her paw resting against my shoulder. I flinch from the touch and she plays it off in a little wave.

"Such a cutie!" the green-haired woman says laughing. "You want me to show you back to your rooms?"

"No," I answer just a little too quickly. I flush and bow again. "I mean… I… I can find my way. Thank you for your help."

I remove myself from the room and sigh loudly as soon as I'm out of earshot. Alone again, I wonder how much trouble I'd be in if I didn't go back to the room. I swallow that thought and sigh again. Sensei would send me home for sure.

Maybe he hasn't heard about my panic attack…

Maybe he'll get busy and forget…

Maybe…

Who am I kidding? I'm probably grounded. Again.

Sullenly, I shuffle back towards the girls' room only to pause when someone shouts my name. I turn to see Kirishima and Kaminari waving me down.

"Hey, Rin-chan, wait up!"

I am, I don't say out loud. I just stand there and wait, yawning largely as the two boys move a little faster.

Maybe I can sneak into my sleeping bag and just pass out.

I wish I could sneak into Sensei's...

"Hey, are you okay?" the redhead asks as soon as he's closer. "What Mineta did… well, that was pretty unmanly. But all we saw was that kid smack him in the face, and then he turned around and started to tumble and your shadows came out of nowhere! Dude, your reaction times are insane! Like in the forest when you reacted to that monster? Damn! Anyways, we saw Midoriya run out there and the girls were all yelling and we heard you cry and… What- What happened?"

I sigh, long and low.

Kaminari, usually grinning and cheerful, frowns.

"Hey, Hoki-er Rin-chan, is everything okay? I've… I've never heard someone sound like that. You… You sounded like you were dying."

I grimace.

How do I even answer that?

Kirishima's eyes widen.

"Oh shit!" he says, his hands rising up to grab his head. "Oh shit! I forgot! You were kidnapped-"

"Wait… what?" Kaminari all but screeches, his face going slack. "Kidnapped? By who? How the hell do you know that? And what does-"

"Shit, and then you saw that kid fall and freaked out-"

"Hold up, what? Hoki, what the hell is he talking about?"

"Oh no…" Kirishima says, completely ignoring the blonde. His face twists in horror. "Oh shit! Dude, Aizawa's gonna deal with him and he's gotta know-"

"Hey, stop ignoring me-"

"Cause he's your Dad and-"

I make a strangled noise in my throat and the blonde looks like his brain just melted.

"What the- are you serious?"

"Dude, Mineta's a goner-"

"Wait, wait! Aizawa-sensei is your Dad-"

"No-"

"He's totally gonna be expelled-"

"Your fucking DAD!?"

My eye twitches.

"No-" I try.

"What is all this racket about?" interrupts a familiar, dark voice.

I just want to sink into the floor and die.

Today sucks.

"Uh- Uh- Uh-" Kirishima stammers eloquently.

"You're Hoki's Dad?" Kaminari burst out loudly.

Unfortunately, it's the same time Sero, Tokoyami, and Iida step in as well. All three freeze in the doorway, jaws dropping.

Sensei's eye twitches.

He looks at me, expression annoyed, and I scowl, crossing my arms.

"Red did it," I say flatly, nodding towards the loudmouth. Like hell, I'm getting blamed for this.

Kirishima blanches and sends me a betrayed look.

"That is none of your business," Sensei begins.

"But why do you have different last names?" Kaminari asks abruptly, cutting him off. I smirk. Sensei's gonna ground him if he keeps this up. I wonder, viciously, if he'll put him in time out.

I so want to see someone else get the timer.

"That isn't-"

"Sensei, you're really Hoki's Dad? I thought she was adopted!" Sero interrupts, mouth wide. Sensei's nostrils flare as Iida's glasses flash, his expression taking on one of amazement and awe.

"What an amazing teacher! You truly are the best of what UA has to offer! To take in a student in her time of need and-"

Sensei's hair curls to the ceiling, his eyes burn red, and he glares at everyone. Iida cuts off and all of the boys pale.

"Our personal lives are not up for discussion. Go to bed. Now."

The boys eep and scatter. I watch in bewilderment as even Tokoyami, who'd always been far too cool to do anything as ridiculous as run away, dashes from the room.

That's amazing.

"Do you think I could learn to do that?" I ask him dazedly. "That was cool."

Sensei does not look amused.

"Rin," he says, scowling. "It has been nearly an hour since the incident in the baths. Why have you not come to me?"

I blink, surprised at the scolding.

Crap... I knew he'd find out.

"I… I thought you told me to go to bed," I answer pouting. I scuff my shoe on the floorboards. "You said you would come to see me tonight-"

"You had a panic attack due to the actions of your peer. You don't think that would be an important detail to share?" he all but growls.

I frown.

Is he upset?

"But Iida told you," I whine. "He took… I thought you knew."

Sensei scowls and grabs my shoulder, steering me down the hallway and in the opposite direction from the room I share with the girls. I immediately stiffen.

"Sensei- Sensei!" I squeak. "Please don't send me home. I know you said not to have another one-"

"Send you home?" Sensei snaps, faltering. "Rin, your classmate—your friend just violated your trust and hurt you. I'm not sending you home, I'm concerned. I'd also rather not be overheard by every teenager that happens to walk in."

He starts walking again, hand still on my shoulder, and I follow along beside him. He stops when we arrive at a sliding door that opens out to an open field. By now, the sun has long since fallen, and a thousand stars glitter behind thin, wispy clouds. The sound of crickets and cicadas fill the air, the coolness of the evening calming. Especially when the tiny fireflies dance by.

Sensei gestures for me to sit.

I do wearily, leaning against him the instant he joins me.

He sighs and pats my head.

"How do you feel?" he asks lowly.

"Tired," I admit with a yawn. "Excuse me. And… kind of embarrassed and annoyed I guess. I... I didn't know Kirishima was going to start shouting all that stuff."

Sensei huffs, and I know if I looked, he'd probably be rolling his eyes. I smile fondly.

This is nice.

"What triggered the panic?" Sensei asks.

"Mineta," I say sadly. "He… I heard him climbing the wall and I… I realized what he was doing and… and it hurt. And I thought he was my friend. I wanted him to be my friend, but- I…" I squeeze Sensei's arm and close my eyes. "It was dumb."

"It wasn't," Sensei says in his usual bored manner.

I don't really believe him.

I think he knows it, but he moves on regardless. I'm secretly thankful, I'm too exhausted to argue.

"To clarify, your panic attack began while bathing?"

I frown.

That's not quite right.

"No," I say, turning my face into the sleeve of his shirt. "I… I was upset by that. But… But when that kid… when he screamed…"

I shiver as I remember it.

Sensei strokes my hair. I lean into the touch.

"It was like being back at the Last One," I whisper, my voice cracking under the pressure of emotions I'm afraid to let free. "I… I could hear them crying and there was blood… so much blood… I… Sensei…"

I stop and breathe deeply, inhaling the familiar scent of detergent that reminds me of home.

"I… I think I need a commercial break," I manage.

I'm surprised by his gruff bark of laughter.

I jerk up to stare at him in surprise. He scowls back, lips twitching.

"You laughed at me," I accuse without any real anger.

His eye twitches and he shoves my head back into his arm.

"Don't be ridiculous," he says flatly. "You've been spending too much time with Hizashi."

"Meanie."

He snorts. I nuzzle his arm. He lets out a disapproving sigh.

"I believe it would be unwise to discuss that particular topic before bed. But we will be discussing it again. I am concerned about these panic attacks Rin. That's two in one day."

"I… I know… You're… you're not going to send me home, are you?"

"No," he says sourly. And I smile a little at the petulance in his voice. "However, the option remains open should you choose to be less stubborn."

He says nothing for a while and lets that sink in.

I doze against him, basking in his calmness.

"It's almost time for lights out."

I pout when he pulls away, glancing wearily up at dark eyes. They're ringed in red from where he used his quirk.

I wish he would have put them in time out...

"Are you going to tuck me in?" I ask a little hopefully.

"No."

I smile in spite of the disappointment.

Instead, I lean forward and hug his neck. He stiffens and huffs, hands reaching out automatically to encircle my back.

"Go to bed."

"Yes, sir."

I kiss his cheek just for good measure.