A/N: I'm posting this chapter a day early, since I'll be traveling tomorrow and I don't know if I'll have internet.
Drawing the screenshots for this chapter was a pain in my side because I had to draw backgrounds, and that fact alone was what caused me to take more than 3 weeks to finish it. [9/7/2021 EDIT]: Funny how the redraw only took 2 or 3 days max compared to how long the old one took me XD The new art has a MUCH better background in my opinion ^-^
By the way, I also decided to include a screenshot of Hitomi's brothers just for funsies, even though they don't actually appear in any scenes this chapter. I included it since it's been 38 chapters and I never actually described their appearances, so there's that. :P
Art -
[Complete Gallery] Add /21axlkt3bolc to the DeviantArt Stash URL.
[Ch. 38] Add /019j47jyszn6 to the DeviantArt Stash URL.
Hitomi received a harsh scolding from both of her parents when she finally returned home the next day, but it wasn't as harsh as she would've expected.
Her parents were both concerned when they suddenly received a message yesterday afternoon that their daughter wouldn't be home right away, and even more so when she didn't return until the day after.
To her surprise, though, she wasn't grounded, especially after what everyone witnessed on the news.
Once her parents had finally finished their lecture and she properly apologized, the bluenette slumped to her room, crashing onto her bed to finally take a breather.
A few days later…
Hitomi fidgeted in her place between her parents as both All Might and her homeroom teacher proposed the UA dorms system to the three of them, asking for her parents' permission to let their daughter live at UA.
When the notice had arrived in the mail, Hitomi had told her parents she was okay with it, giving them her opinion on the matter. However, they never gave her theirs.
She suspected they spent a lot of time discussing it in private, meaning she wouldn't know their decision until they finally told the teachers.
Which meant right now.
Hitomi's mother crossed her arms as she stared down All Might and Aizawa, the room falling tense as they awaited her answer.
"I haven't been happy with all the attacks UA has experienced lately."
Hitomi felt herself deflate.
"... but after watching the sports festival, I've realized you've trained my daughter well enough to handle herself."
The glare on her mother's face disappeared, changing into one of a small smile. "It seems that even though UA's received a lot of attacks lately, you've been training your students well enough to take care of themselves during crises, right honey?" she said, turning to her husband.
Hitomi's father made a noise of affirmation as Hitomi looked between the two of them in surprise. She saw her mom wearing a somber smile, her eyebrows furrowed.
"We've always been a bit overprotective of Hitomi," her mom said, "Especially after what happened with her best friend a few years ago. When she told us she wanted to be a hero, we were surprised, to say the least, since she never really had any interest in it before. So when she was admitted to your school, and that USJ attack happened, we were seriously considering pulling her out of the hero course."
Hitomi's mouth opened slightly in surprise at her mother's words.
"But then we saw her on TV, during the sports festival," her mom continued, "and we realized how serious she was about becoming a hero, danger and all."
"We weren't so sure about it at first," her dad began, "but we realized that if Hitomi's going to be a hero, we're going to have to deal with this turmoil whether we like it or not. As long as you continue to train her well, you have our permission to let her live in the dorms."
Aizawa bent forward in a slight bow. "I promise."
Hitomi's eyes widened in awe as she took in what would be her new home.
A large building stood before the class, "1-A" painted on the front wall with a sign holding the word "Alliance" propped above the two main doors.
Heights Alliance… UA's new dorm system!
Aizawa stood in front of the building, calling for the class's attention to give a few announcements.
"This is important," Aizawa said. "Listen up.
Kirishima. Yaoyorozu. Todoroki, Midoriya, Iida. And Kanetsukabe.
These six went to go save Bakugou that night."
The entire class flinched, a few of those around Hitomi turning to look at her. She wanted to disappear under their gazes as Aizawa continued.
"Your reactions tell me that you were all at least aware of it. I'm going to set aside a number of issues and say this:
If it weren't for All Might's retirement, I would've expelled everyone except Bakugou, Jirou, and Hagakure.
Of course the six that went, but also the twelve who knew but didn't stop them betrayed our trust, no matter the reason. I would be grateful if you could follow the proper procedures and act properly in order to regain our trust.
That's all. We're going inside. Let's have some energy."
Hitomi was silent as she watched her teacher approach the entrance, her eyes falling to the ground in shame.
Bakugou clicking his tongue behind her caught her attention, leading her to turn around only to find the ash blonde dragging Kaminari behind a bush.
Electricity came out before Kaminari emerged, in his "wheeey" state after overusing his quirk. Jirou burst out laughing as Bakugou approached Kirishima, who Hitomi was standing next to as she pointed at Bakugou, confused.
"Eh? But how did he…?"
"Kirishima!" Bakugou held out five ten thousand yen bills, surprising the two of them.
"Wait, you're scaring me!" Kirishima yelled. "Did you shake someone down for money?!"
"No!" Bakugou denied, flailing the bills at the redhead. "I withdrew this money. You used up all your allowance right?"
"Yeah… but how did you hear about me buying the night-vision goggles-?" Bakugou shoved the money into Kirishima's chest before he stalked towards the building.
"If you keep having to scrimp and save, then it'll make me feel bad," Bakugou said. "Show your dumb side, as usual."
"Sorry, Kirishima," Hitomi said, a sheepish smile on her face. "I might've let it slip while you weren't paying attention on our way to the police station that night…"
"Kanetsukabe!"
Hitomi and Kirishima looked to see Bakugou glancing over his shoulder at the bluenette while the rest of the class was laughing at Kaminari.
"Um, yes…?"
"Don't think you can always hold on to me whenever you want," the ash blonde muttered. "I let it go last time because we were busy watching All Might fight, but don't believe for a second I'm letting you do it again!"
He turned back to finally enter the dorms as Hitomi flailed.
"I'm sorry!" she apologized, her face turning red. "I didn't realize I was doing it until afterwards…"
Bakugou ignored her as he went inside.
Next to her, Kirishima snorted.
"The first floor has food, baths, and laundry," Aizawa said as Hitomi took in the common area.
Wow… how spacey…!
"Rooms start on the second floor," Aizawa continued as the class stepped out of the elevators. "There are four rooms per gender on each floor with five floors total. Everyone gets their own room." He opened the door to one of the rooms, revealing the inside.
"They're luxurious spaces equipped with their own AC, toilets, fridges, and closets."
Hitomi looked to the back of the room to see there was even a balcony outside, reminding her for the first time in a while how wealthy UA actually was.
How fancy… even personal fridges!
As the class finally piled out of the room, Aizawa held up a chart.
"These are your room assignments. The belongings you sent ahead have already been placed in your rooms, so unpack and get settled in today. We'll talk more about what'll happen from now on tomorrow. That's all. Dismissed!"
…
Hitomi, fully changed in some comfortable clothing rather than her school uniform, stared at the stack of boxes before her.
She cracked her knuckles before she finally opened a box up.
"Time to get to work!"
A/N: Looking at the progress I've made with Hitomi's dorm room so far, along with the fact my family is going to travel this weekend, there may be no new chapter next week. I'll try my best to finish it in time, but if I can't get it up by then, it'll be up the week after, I promise!
