["I'm sorry. Your call has been forwarded to-"]

It's been a week since Kamilah was reported "missing" on the news, and it's been two days since she ran away from us.

Aunt Yui and Zurui aren't answering their phones, and I'm not telling Rika any of what's been going on because that might set Joon off.

"Tch, where could she have gone? I was right on her heels two days ago! How the hell was I supposed to know she could teleport not only herself but other objects with her, too?"

'Not at my apartment, not at home, not in Iwa...' I thought of all the places my little sister could've gone, but nothing came to mind other than those three places. 'Damn it...'

"Excuse me. May we get by?"

"That is not how you ask. The brat's clearly in our way. Move it or lose it, son!"

I twitched at hearing a voice behind me, "Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't-"

As soon as I turned around, the two women expressed the same reaction I held. We stared at each other for a while.

"..."

"..."

"You're...Hati-...Hakim, right?" the green-haired woman asked.

I gave a nod, "Yeah..."

She smiled at me, clasping her hands together, "I knew it. You used to drop off Kamilah-chan at me and my son's home whenever you had the chance."

I studied the woman a little bit, "...Mrs. Midoriya?"

She gave a firm nod and a smile, "Yes! You remember me?"

"Yeah," I chuckled, then looked over to the other confused woman, "And Mrs. Bakugo, right?"

She blinked at me, "...Who's this kid again?"

Mrs. Midoriya and I both had a sweat drop, "You know, Mitsuki, Kamilah-chan's older brother."

She looked at her then at me again, "...Damn, you grew."

I nervously chuckled, "It has been a while since the last time I saw you both, hasn't it?"

"Mhm. How's your mother and father doing? I saw on the news that they're back in Japan."

I refrained from making a sour face, "They're alright. I haven't seen them yet so..."

"I see. Well, you oughta! They've been gone for months. I'm sure they miss you and Kamilah-chan."

"What about my daughter-in-law? How's she doing? She hasn't come to visit in a while, and I'm worried that boy of mine scared her off."

"D-Daughter-in-law?" me and Mrs. Midoriya stuttered.

She crossed her arms with a proud smile, "You don't see the connection between those two? There's no doubt in my mind they both got something going on, especially after what I witnessed on the news."

"You're talking about their escape, right?" Mrs. Midoriya inquired.

Mrs. Bakugo nodded, "Yep. He put her first before he put himself first...and I'm proud of him for that. He didn't admit it when he came home, but I know he did. However...I'm also worried about what's happened to her. She's still being reported "missing" in the news."

"Oh, about that..." Mrs. Midoriya began, "Kamilah-chan visited my home yesterday."

We both snapped our heads to her and she jumped. "WHAT?!" we both shouted.

"Why didn't ya say anything?!" Mrs. Bakugo yelled at her.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't know who to tell, or if I should tell anyone! Kamilah-chan didn't say anything about not telling, but at the same time, I didn't want the press on her and all of the unwanted attention! I'm very sorry, Hakim-kun!" she explained, bowing relentlessly.

"Inko!" Mrs. Bakugo yelled at her again.

"I apologize!"

"No, no, you're fine! I totally understand!" I waved my hands in front of her and she stopped so I grabbed her hands in mine and smiled. "You're a miracle, Mrs. Midoriya."

Before I could turn and leave, I was held back by a hand on my shoulder. "Wait a sec, boy. Don't you need to know where she's at?" Mrs. Bakugo asked.

"I already know...U.A., right?" I asked, looking at the teary-eyed woman.

Mrs. Midoriya nodded, "She is going there! She said she was looking for Izuku. Unfortunately, she just missed him for heading to the dorms when she arrived yesterday."

"Dorms?" I questioned.

"Yeah, U.A. asked all of us parents if we'll let our children stay at the dormitories they've built for better protection and convenience. I agreed for them to take my brat."

"It took a lot of convincing...but I agreed to let Izuku go, too."

I looked between both of them, "Thank you both. You don't understand how much this means to me."

"We're not going to say anything about this. Just do your job, kid."

"You're welcome! And good luck!"

"It stopped..."

"Yeah, it's stopped ever since you removed that voice restriction Quirk from Zurui."

We stared at the hourglass, the blue sand had stopped falling to the bottom as if a cork was put in the small opening.

I looked at the taller woman, "That's...a good thing, right?"

She nodded, "It is...however, I don't think it's all gone just yet. We'll need to explore more about your newly found Quirk." She turned around to look at me, "What do you call it?"

"Null."

"Sounds fitting," she smiled. "Let's cut to the chase. You're here about Joon-Woo, aren't you?"

"He's...a part of the reason for why I'm here."

"That deal you agreed for All-for-One? I got your back on that one. With Null and Psyka, you can cancel that out somehow-"

"I'm aware of that...but I think you do know what I'm here for..."

"..."

"And you aren't telling me."

"..."

"Why?"

"My story isn't important. I wouldn't want to inconenience you because I "can't just let whatever the hell happened go and live in peace", remember? Since "a dead person can't love", I can't feel; therefore, there's no point in telling you anything about my past."

I shifted my gaze to my feet in the waters of the oasis, "I...I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I said those horrible things. I...was just frustrated at the time, but that's no excuse to let what I said slide."

"...You're fine," she sighed. "I understand, and I accept your apology."

"The reason why I want to know more about you is because of a couple of reasons. My Dad said "History is repeating itself". Before that, I had an out-of-body experience...and then there was the talking that I felt I was doing while growing up. I just wanted to know...who you are."

"How do you benefit from this if I tell you?"

"For one, it'll give me some clarity, and two...to keep from repeating whatever mistakes that's been made in this family line."

"I want that for you, too. That's why I've hung around for so long to find a successor that will take the correct steps. Look at me, Kamilah."

I looked up from the gentle sways and at her. She held a content expression on her face, it almost seems she is incapable of a smile.

"I am Misuzu Shimizu, a loving wife, one of your great-grandmothers, a descendant of Juri, a temporary user of One-for-All, a cursed child of the Shimizu family, and the most important role of all...the mother of your soul."

A sudden warmth spread throughout me. It felt strange, but familiar. I assume the unborn child's soul was reacting to her words.

"What...was their name?"

"...Kami. Zurui took that name...and Jameela added a spin on it."

"Oh..." I looked at the jackal statue, "What does that represent?"

She looked in the same direction, "It's as you said your hero's name is, Kitsunebi. A guide. Though half Libyan, the Egyptians share a history with Libya so they too worshipped the god of the dead, Anubis. He guided souls into the afterlife after embalming their bodies and weighed their hearts on a balance scale for them to be judged. There's a similar view on Jameela's hero name, Kassandra. It's ironic...and tragic how the name reflects her life. In the past, she told truths and no believed her...but now, all she spouts is lies and everyone believes her. Kassandra was the name of the Trojan princess character in Homer's Illiad, a Greek philosopher's poem. Kassandra was gifted and cursed by the Greek god, Apollo, to speak prophencies that were never believed."

"Tell me more."

"Gladly. Jameela's parents, your grandparents, were activists for the heated political conflict in Libya. Because Quirks weren't really accepted there, no one believed her when she would speak about what will happen if certain actions were taken. Unfortunately...mass genocide was the end result. The people who were left to fend for themselves were turning against each other and causing inhumane acts. Heroes from around the world were called in to handle the situation...one of those heroes was Endeavor."

I lifted an eyebrow at that name.

"He and others subdued the remaining people, causing Libya to break apart and the Egyptian government ended up getting involved. It wasn't a coincidence Jameela ended up in Japan..."

"It...makes sense now."

"She was on a mission. I recovered as much information as I could whenever you were around her...and now you know why she looks at Shoto the way she does. Why she hates hearing or talking about Endeavor. Why she worked hard to become a hero and be at the top."

"Shoto and I are two peas in a pod," I bitterly giggled. "That woman...she wants to kill Endeavor?"

"...Or for you to do so if she is unable to."

"..."

"She thought of your brother as a failure...so she made Zurui pity her, begged him for comfort, and ended up seducing him while Norio was in a comatose. Then, she had you...her so-called "successor"."

"..."

"You have a right to know this as well. You have the right to know what was the source of you and your brother's suffering."

"..."

She turned around, "Kamilah?"

I grimaced, "I refuse to give her the fucking satisfaction."

"..."

"I was going to go after Endeavor first...but now my plans have changed. She won't live long enough to get that satisfaction. I will."

"...Is that how you truly feel, Kamilah?"

"Of course, that's how I fucking feel!"

"And I can't take that away from you. I'm not going to be the hero I once tried to be and convince you not to act on how you feel."

"Hero?"

Misuzu looked off into the distance, "You're here."

I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was concrete, the first thing I heard was an explosion.

Looking up from the concrete and over a ledge, all I could make are two figures moving quickly within green sparks, smoke, and reddish-orange explosions.

'Are you serious? What kinda bullshit did I walk into? And I thought I was going to Izuku only?! How the hell did Katsuki get-'

"These two, bro..." I groaned.

What I witnessed next was who I think Izuku moving within the smoke, quite quickly too, and he was about to give Katsuki a devastating kick.

'Oh, shit. It looks like he's dancing..it's pretty. Wait, wait, wait, that's one of my moves! More importantly, I can't let this happen!'

Before Izuku could land that strategically beautiful kick, I appeared between the two nonchalantly, immediately pushing Katsuki back.

"Null!" I shouted.

Izuku visibly panicked, but I caught his leg mid-kick before it could make contact with my head. As soon as I said it, the green sparks instantly sizzled out.

"Oh, shit...it works on Quirks, for real?" I mumbled to myself, staring at the dark purple cracks in my occupied hand wrapped around it like vines.

"M-MILAH-CHAN?!"

"Um, yeah. Anyway, as much as I'd love to see you use my moves to drop kick the shit of Dyna Boy here, I'm gonna stop ya right there."

Letting go of his leg, he stumbled back before falling to the ground. I heard a thud behind me, looking over to see Katsuki had fallen as well...I guess he lost his balance trying to avoid that kick.

"..."

"...You almost got yo ass kicked," I taunted with a growing smirk.

What I said must've taken him out of his trance, and that angry look returned.

"Where the hell you've been?"

"I'll explain that later. What I want to address is-" I looked back at him, seriousness softening. "You..."

His eyebrows furrowed, "What?"

"You...were worried about me?"

He blinked, confusion washing over his face again before he looked away, sucking his teeth.

I placed my hands over my heart, "Awww! You were worried about me! Well, I'm okay...now that I know you're both safe," I said with a smile.

Looking at the viridian boy looking up at me like the day we met, I squat down to his level, leaning my head on my palm that rested on my knee.

I gave him my fox-like closed-eyed smile, "You have something that I'm interested in."

Izuku stared at me suspiciously, "I...do?"

"Mhm, mhm!" I nodded twice. "One-for-All. How does it work?"

"Uh..."

I gasped as my eyes popped open, "That's right! You don't know! So, basically...I have a lot going on with me now. I recently found out that I have a piece of the Quirk you have so I need to figure out how to use it so we both don't die."

Izuku blinked, "...Huh?"

I sighed, "Someone in my family was a temporary holder of One-for-All. She didn't have it for long, but she kinda got stuck in the mix of whatever mess she was dragged into when she was alive. That mess involving that conniving bastard, All-for-One. I need to know how it works so I can kick his ass."

"..." Izuku's eyes scrunched, "But...why though?"

I scowled at him, "Why not? Isn't he a villain? That's how you people think, ain't it?"

"..."

"...That came out...rude. Sorry, I'm just under a lot of stress and responsibility," I apologized, standing up at full height.

"Now you've got more explaining to do. But answer my first question," Katsuki grumbled as he stood back on his feet as well.

I tilted my head at him and blinked rapidly, "What did you ask...? Oh! Um...well, I was...in rehabilitative therapy," I lied.

Katsuki gave me a quick look up and down, "You look fine to me." He glared, "Did Icy Hot get you hurt?"

"No, no, Shoto-" I gasped again, but out of horror. "Oh...oh, that's not good. I gotta apologize to him when I see him again. What I did and said was so uncalled for! I'm so stupid!" I scolded myself. "But...I didn't lie...andit's not that easy. Hatred...isn't easy to get over..." I mumbled to myself.

"What are you talking about?" Izuku asked.

"I may or may not have-" My head snapped in the direction I felt a presence approaching...there were two, and one felt very familiar.

"Milah-chan?"

I looked between the two before huffing, "All I ask is that you two keep your lips sealed."

"AMI!"

"AMI!" I yelled, running toward the purple-haired girl who disappeared just then and there. "Damn it!"

"Y-You're Ha-"

I glared at the two boys, effectively cutting off Midoriya, "Where'd she go?"

"We don't know. You tell us," Bakugo grumbled.

I let out a long groan, "I've been looking for this girl these past two days, and just when I find her, she wants to run off again."

"Don't stress, Hatif. Young Shimizu must have her reasons for why she's acting like this," the familiar voice from earlier that helped me inside the school approached.

I jumped, "Ah...yes, sir. I'm sure my sister does. It's just...she can be difficult sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Bakugo questioned as if that was the wrong word choice.

I glared at him specifically, "Listen here, you little runt-"

"Young Bakugo, please be considerate of how Hatif is feeling," All-Might stopped me short of yelling at him.

Bakugo simply clicked his tongue against his teeth, "What's this all about anyway?"

"Originally, I was coming here to stop you two from destroying school property...and each other, but it seems young Shimizu has already done that," All-Might began, "Yet on my way, I saw Hatif here approaching the school grounds. Now that I think about it, you haven't told me your reason for being here except it involves your younger sister."

I sweat dropped, opting to not tell them about the current situation. "Well...it's complicated...and a private family matter."

"I see. I assume it has something to do with why she hasn't been reported "found"," he inquired.

"Yes. I know it's selfish and it gives U.A. a bad image, but for now, I need her to stay hidden for the time being. What we're dealing with...is a life or death situation for her."

"Will she be okay?!" Midoriya asked, taking a few steps closer to me.

"Depends on a lot of factors."

"Has she finally thrown out those damn pills?" Bakugo asked.

"Pills?" Midoriya asked. "What...pills? Milah-chan's on medication?"

"How did you...know that?" I asked Bakugo, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Because I caught her one day," he answered with a grimace. "Ever since, I'd blow them into pieces every time I found her tryna sneak them. That shit was messing her up." He returned the suspicious glare, "You knew she was taking that shit?"

"...I didn't until recently, not until after what happened in Hosu."

"Tch, what a shitty older bro-"

"Young Bakugo," All-Might interrupted him again. "Hatif, I apologize on behalf of young Bakugo's behavior...and my incapabilities of saving your sister. I take full blame of her disappearance."

I waved my hand, "No need to apologize, sir. I'm used to this firecracker, and I'm sure my sister doesn't want the pity of the Number 1 Hero. She's very...adament on stuff like that," I chuckled. "I gotta get back on the road. She could be anywhere." I looked at Midoriya, "By the by...how's Todoroki?"

His brows scrunched in confusion, "He's...fine? Why?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Well, at least she hasn't killed him...yet," I mumbled, turning and waving them off.

"WHAT?!" Both All-Might and Midoriya yelled.

"SO THAT HALF-N-HALF BASTARD DID DO SOMETHING?!"

'If there's anything to gain from what Zurui said about being weary of the people we interact with...Kamilah's reaction...those burn marks from that day...And how she stares at Todoroki for long periods of time as if spiting him...'

Is she...staring at us? Or through us, Doctor?

Hmmm, it's hard to-

At you both. Whatever she's seeing...it's something related to her accident. Ami, were you...

'So that guy who made Ami end up in the hospital is your older brother, huh, Natsuo...'

"Tiny-Might!"

"I am here!"

"Please, help! I have another problem!"

"What's wrong, ma'am?"

"It's not as serious, but it's the little girl over there! She looks so sad...I was hoping-"

"Say no more, ma'am! I am here! And I am going to cheer her up!"

Pitter patters approached me as I stared at one of my new friend's notebooks. I'm a little surprised he lets me read them...even when they're not finished.

"Excuse me, young lady!"

I looked up from the notebook to my friend...dressed in a familiar costume. Because I was sitting on the back of my thighs, he looked down at me with bright eyes and a smile.

"...Izu-"

"I think Tiny-Might wants to know what he can do to help!" Mrs. Midoriya interrupted with a nervous smile.

"Mhm! What's the matter? You look so sad..."

My gaze moved between her and her beaming son, 'So bright...' I rocked my body toward the boy, "I'm not sad. This is just my resting face."

Mrs. Midoriya looked as if she was about to go into a panic attack and faint due to my response. That's when I caught on...

"But...I wouldn't mind you making me smile...Tiny-Might," I mumbled the last part somewhat shyly.

I don't know if Izuku could shine any brighter because he looked as if he was about bounce up and down whenever he got extremely excited. I couldn't help but find it adorkable.

"A smile, huh? Let's see!" He began muttering, "What will make you smile? A funny face? Hmm, I don't think it'd be that easy. A joke? I don't...think I have any right now. Maybe a toy? But I don't know what you li-"

This was the very first time I ever gave the young hero enthusiast a genuine laugh.

"Hahaha! You're cute when you start mumbling like that! Hehe..."

When I opened my eyes to gauge his response...it was the same amazed expression he gave me the day we met...

But there was something else behind it I was scared of.

"AH!"

The sound of a scream, objects falling over, and a bunch of thumps made me jolt awake.

"Wha? What's going on?" I mumbled sleepily, sitting up and trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes.

There was a knock on the door.

"Midoriya?! What's wrong?!"

I opened my eyes enough to see a blurry Izuku sitting on the floor, frantically looking between me and...the door?

Door?

'Where am I exactly?' I thought, woozily looking around the room I'm in and the bed I'm laying on.

"Oh...right, I snuck in..." I gasped, eyes bulging, "I SNUCK-"

Green sparks were left in Izuku's trail as he rushed over, placing a hand over my mouth, and shaking his head.

"Midoriya?! Are you alright in there?!"

"Yeah, we heard a crash!"

"I-I'm fine! I j-just had a nightmare is all! Ju-just an overreaction!" he stuttered, not sounding convincing at all.

"Uhh...you sure?"

"Y-Yeah...I'm okay."

"Well, if you say so..."

Whoever the two boys were behind the door left soon after, leaving a tense silence between us. Izuku's head dropped and he sighed, clearly relieved by the situation.

He dropped his hand from my face, "...What are you doing here?"

"I know...waking up to my face isn't the greatest thing to wake up to, but I have a good reason for why I'm here."

Izu refrained from smiling, "You-...you shouldn't make jokes about yourself like that," he lightly chided.

"Anyways...I might've made you think I just disappeared off to somewhere last night, but I kinda hid and followed you to your dorm after you and Katsu were berated by Mister Aizawa." I grinned, "That was hilarious by the way."

"You snuck into my room after I fell asleep?"

"I'm here, aren't I?"

"How'd you get in anyway?" he sighed, finally looking up at me.

"Not the hero buff asking me how I got in when he already knows that wherever I've been or can see into, I can instantly teleport to," I jokingly teased with a condescending tone.

"Right," he quietly chuckled, then stopped as soon as he looked down again. My broccoli baby took a couple of steps back, clearly flustered as he looked outside the patio door. "Wh-What are y-you w-wearing?"

"Oh, this?" I pointed to the thigh-reaching t-shirt reading "Shirt" on me, "I was uncomfortable in my clothes so I searched for your longest shirt and put it on. You don't know how sneaky I had to be going back and forth between my house to take a shower and change these last 2 days..." I complained.

"You...so you changed? I-In here? Wh-While I was as-asleep?" he stuttered, covering his face with his arms.

I glanced between each end of his room, "Yeah. What's the problem?"

"Y-You're a g-girl, Milah-chan! If you could do that before you got here, why couldn't you change at your place?!" he whisper-shouted.

"Because I can't risk pushing Psyka's limits nor can I let my mother see me."

"But that doesn't explain why you slept in my bed!"

"You expected me to sleep on the floor then? How rude, I thought you were becoming a hero, yet you rather make me sleep on the floor like some cheap whore," I teased with a pout.

"Kamilah!" he raised his voice a little higher, revealing his face as his hands bunched into fists and his face turned bright red.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," I laughed at his fluster as quietly as I could. "Hmm...I miss this," I admitted with glee.

"Miss what?"

"Our dynamic. It's been so long since I felt like I've talked with you like this," I told him. "So much has happened in such a short time, Izu..."

"...You're right. A lot has happened. I have so many questions and worries... Can you answer a question for me?" he asked with hope in his voice.

"Shoot."

"Are you...okay?"

"...I'm okay."

"Are you lying right now?"

"...A little."

"Does it have to do with your mom?"

"...she's a part of it." I shook my head before he could catch me in his safety net, "I...don't want to talk about it right now, Izuku. I don't want to talk about anything pertaining to her, how I got here, neither One-for-All. I just...needed to see you, to know that you are okay, to spend some time with you."

I felt a sudden darkness creeping up on me, I felt a hand reaching out to me, ready to grab my neck and wring it if I tried anything to jeopardize whatever he wanted.

I closed my eyes, "Null and void."

That looming darkness suddenly went away.

"Huh?"

I reopened them, seeing my baffled broccoli boy. I offered a charming smile, "Nothing. Just getting rid of a bad feeling."

I can see that he didn't believe me, but he let it slide. "Alright... About spending time together, will it help you have a peace of mind?"

"More than you'll ever know. I need your help...Deku."

Like in the past, saying his newly claimed hero name made me feel as if I was...disrespecting him, it also made me feel vulnerable, but I never told him about the latter. I didn't like asking anyone for help, and I still don't. It's something I feel like I'll have to get used to.

And like in the past, that same expression crossed him...and that unnerving hint that came with it is stronger this time. Despite that, Izuku smiled, rubbing the back of his neck with a dust of pink on his cheeks.

"You refused to call me Deku because you didn't want to "disrespect" me, as you said it. But since you're saying this now, I believe you. It's coincidental how I got suspended at the same time you needed me the most."

"It is, isn't it?" I giggled.

We laughed...until mine were cut short as soon as I felt that I recognized that look in Izuku's eyes from somewhere.

Toya, I need to tel-

Well...it's about your Quirk.

I...Don't get mad at me when I say this. I'm only saying this because I care about you a lot, and I like you, so...I don't think it's safe for you to become a hero, Toya.

I don't want you to die yet. I won't let you. Not because of your father, you, or some dream that isn't what it all appears to be in the light.

"What's wrong, Mi-"

I stood up from his bed, closing the space between us which nearly made the startled boy fall over if it weren't for the swivel chair he grabbed to hold himself up on.

"Izu."

"Y-Yes?"

"This is going to sound strange, but...do you think this moment right now is perfect?"

"P-Perfect? What do you-"

"Do you think I'm perfect?"

He searched for something in my eyes and while doing so...that unnerving one fully took over.

"I...do find you perfect. Why wouldn't I?"

Izuku straightened up, making me back up from him as he closed in on me this time. I fell backward on his bed, staring up at him with surprise at his abrupt newfound confidence.

"Why...why do you think that about me?"

Izuku seemed upset with my question. He frowned, bending down and caging me in between his hands.

"Though I had all the influences around me to become a hero, you and Mom were the only ones who were there for me. You ask why do I think that about you? Because I-..." He glanced away, probably searching for the right words, "I want to return the favor. I want to help you. I want to give you the proper help you need." His eyes found mine again, and determination filled the green orbs, "Kacchan doesn't deserve-"

"DEKU! GET OFF YOUR ASS AND COME CLEAN."

Speak of the devil.

Whatever Izuku was about to say...he stopped short, head falling as he sighed out of...was that annoyance? I've hardly seen that from him.

He pushed himself off the bed and stared down at me, "Stay hidden, please?"

I gave a stiff nod, "Planned on it."

Not long after the strange viridian left the room is when I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I'm not sure what came over Izuku at that moment...but I'll address it as soon as I see him again.

"I said I didn't want him to become like me...I guess I was worrying about the wrong person he'd turn into..."

You're cleaning it wrong, nerd," Katsuki scolded.

"Mhm..." Izuku hummed, seemingly in a daze.

"Hey. You heard me?"

"..."

"Deku!"

The jittery boy jumped at the glowering blond's shout.

"Y-Yeah? What is it, Kacchan?"

Katsuki glared at him, "I said, "You're cleaning it wrong". Don't make me repeat myself, nerd."

Izu began to panic as soon as he saw his mistake with the dish. It was only until Katsuki snapped at him again that he stopped his antics.

"What the hell is wrong with you anyway?! You've been spacing out all day!"

"N-Nothing! I-I'm just...just thinking."

Katsuki stared at the somewhat serious Izuku now, "...If it'll get you to stop being a dazed klutz, spit out what you're thinking."

"It's...it's about Milah-chan."

I perked up at him saying my name, tuning in more to their...unusual interaction.

"What about the fox?"

"For goodness sake, Kacchan, would it kill you to say her name?" Izuku complained.

Of course...

"Tch...what about that troublesome woman?"

He didn't say my name. Stubborn bastard.

Izuku sighed, "I'll take it. It's about her Quirk."

"..."

"She said that she has a piece of One-for-All through a relative. Do you think...she's telling the truth?"

"If she knows about it, why the hell would she lie? You don't believe her?"

"I...don't want to."

"Ahhh?!"

Izuku waved his hands, "I didn't mean it like that! What I mean is...I don't want to believe what she said because that means she'll be involved in this...she'll be in danger...probably even in more danger than she already is."

"...So what are you saying, nerd?"

Izuku sighed again, "I'm saying I want to protect her."

"You think she can't handle herself or something? You're a damn nerd, you should already know she's strong, and yet you're thinking less of her abilites?"

"I'm not putting Milah-chan down, Kacchan." He...glared at Katsuki, "You know. I know you know. She's been through enough already. I don't know the details, but besides what you said yesterday about the medication, I saw that Kamilah has been through a lot."

Katsuki returned the same energy, "Really? You've seen it this whole time...and did nothing to help her? So much for "I want to protect her"," he huffed.

"She didn't let me!" Izuku shouted.

"I don't give a shit! You stood by knowing she was suffering! And didn't say anything?!"

"What was I supposed to do?! Kamilah obviously has been conditioned to avoid talking about her at-home life! You expect me to just invade her private life?! And have her hate me forever?!"

I rounded the corner I was hiding behind, 'Okay...this is going left.'

"Why not?! You do that with everybody else! I was your first target! If someone you feel is suffering behind a false facade, you don't just stand by! You haven't in the past! What's so different now?!"

"She's different!"

"Different how?!"

"Oh my gosh, shut uuup! Y'all loud as hell! Stop the screamin' and hollerin'! It's too damn early for this bullshit!"

The two immediately gazed up at me. I rest my hands on my hips, frowning at both of them.

"What the hell are you-"

"Milah-chan! You said you'd stay hidden!"

"Well, how'd you expect me to hide,and go back to sleep, when you're both shouting?" I mischievously grinned, "Now...why were you shouting about me? Fighting over me?"

Katsuki glared at me while Izuku blushed and shrunk into his shell.

"I'd rather fight you," he grunted, then his eyes gave an abrupt flare, "AYE! WHERE WERE YOU HIDING EXACTLY, YA DAMN FOX?!"

My eyes scrunched with mischief, "In Izuku's room," I mused.

"WHY-"

"And," I cut him off, "I slept in his bed last night."

Poor broccoli baby didn't know what to do with himself as he flailed his hands everywhere, stuttered miserably, and his whole face turned various shades of red.

The angry Pomeranian looked as if he was about to lose his shit...but he didn't. Oddly enough, his face remained calm for once in a rare time.

My brows furrowed, "...Why aren't you screaming?"

"..."

The smirk that slipped on his face while he gazed up at me haughtily startled me.

I knew exactly what this fucker was about to say.

"D-Don't you dare, Katsuki."

"You might've slept in his bed, but I know the nerd didn't try anything with you," he taunted. "That ain't nothing compared to-"

"That was an accident, and you fucking know it!"

"Trash ass memory you got there, Fox. Do I need to remind you it was a couple of accidents?"

"Accidents?" Izuku looked up, but everywhere else than me, "What is Kacchan...talking about?"

Somewhere in between our exchange, Izuku regained some sense to ask.

"KATSUKI!" I shouted. "I SWEAR, IF YOU-"

"Oh, would you look at that? Look who's screaming and hollering now?" he mocked, smiling devilishly at me. "On one condition though..."

"...What?" I seethed

His expression suddenly went blank, "You tell us what's going on."

"..." I glanced away. "You...you two just won't leave me alone. What do you want to know?"

Izuku jumped first, "Why were you on medication?!"

"...I wasn't, Izuku."

He frowned, "Please, stop lying to me..."

"I wasn't," I reinforced, "Voluntarily."

His frown dropped into an epiphany, "Someone was...forcing you?"

I nodded, "But that's just the surface of my...troubles? I guess you can call it that?" I sighed, walking over to the lounge couch.

I stretched Izu's shirt down so it wouldn't rise up as I sat down on the comfy furniture.

"I...I don't like...expressing myself too much. It makes me feel incapable...vulnerable." I hugged myself...an underhand method of trying to hide myself. "So whatever you ask me right now is all you get."

Izuku sat across from me, leaning forward as a means to give me undivided attention.

"I appreciate you opening up to me...I won't take this for granted." He moved his gaze to Katsuki, "Don't you want to know more?"

"As if I'd pass up the chance," he snapped as he made his way over and sat right next to me. "Speak, Fox."

"...what do you want me to say? You haven't even asked me anything," I told him with my lips poked out.

"The medication. Who forced you to take it," he demanded.

"Jameela."

Izuku gave me a weird look, "You mean your "mom"?"

"That woman is not my mom...nor is she my mother," I retorted.

"But I thought-"

"How blind were you, Deku? Clearly, the Fox and that woman who calls herself a "mom" were putting up a front for any outsiders. She couldn't deny it when I confronted her about it," Katsuki told him.

I nodded, "He's telling the truth, Izuku."

"..." Izuku had a conflicted expression, it looked as if he wants to say something, but he didn't.

"I'm...not sorry for not telling you that. There's no need for me to apologize when I intended to keep something like that away from you. I wanted to...keep you from witnessing that side of myself. You were one of the rare few that I wanted to keep as a friend and the only way I knew how to keep up that "happy hero family" image is to play along."

"..."

"My mother...isn't kind and loving like Mrs. Midoriya."

"..."

I gave him a tiny smile, "Why do you think I visited your and Katsuki's home so much? To get what I couldn't get at home."

"..."

"A mom."

"...Did Kacchan know about this?"

My smile dropped, "...A little bit."

"...So your mother forced you to take those pills? Prescribed and...unprescribed?"

"Yes. She used force."

"...Did she do anything else to hurt you?"

"Yes. The beatings slowed down over time, and the verbal abuse is...still present, but I stopped taking the pills after what happened in Hosu."

"...Did your brother or uncle know?"

I shook my head, "No one knew, not even Katsuki. I didn't want to inconvenience anyone I cared about or I felt that I-"

"Would get us caught up in your mess." Yeah, we know." Katsuki grabbed me by the front of the shirt, glaring. "You were getting your ass beat and didn't even tell me?! Are you out of your fucking mind?!"

I winced, "You...wouldn't understand."

"Understand what?!"

"You wouldn't understand what it feels like to protect someone dear to you! Especially if you think they're your last string of finding some peace of mind!"

"I wouldn't understand how it feels to protect someone dear to me?" He pulled me closer, "Think about what you just said, dumb ass."

I knew exactly what he was getting at so I grabbed his hand and pushed away from him.

"Whatever," I mumbled. "Anyway...Jameela is back in Japan. That's a problem for me so I'm in hiding from her, not the media. I'm sure she's already made a visit to U.A. already...?"

Katsuki and Izuku looked at each other before nodding at me.

"Todoroki told us," Izuku answered. "And he's also told us about you having some trouble at home though he didn't go into detail about it...but I'm sure this is it, right?"

My aura darkened, "What did that bitch say to him?"

Izuku and Katsuki gave visible mixed reactions to how my demeanor changed.

"She...said nothing...to him. If anything, Todoroki told us...she acted as if he weren't there and was only concerned about you."

I huffed, crossing my left thigh over the right and crossing my arms, "Concerned? About me? As if. She wasn't even concerned about her own son? I'm not surprised, she forgets he exists because he's was a "failure" to her."

"...Is that true?"

"Why would I lie about that? She made my brother suffer and I didn't even know it until recently. All Kimy ever complained about was the rigourous training to becoming a hero...and just like me, he lies, because he's cursed, because I...was born, he's been suffering." I took in a shaky breath, "If only...I hadn't been born."

"Don't say crazy shit like that. You're already fucked up, get a grip," Katsuki growled, angry at the fact that I said that aloud. "And what about this curse you're talking about?"

"My family is cursed, it's called Shimizugawa. It happened in the mid-Edo period, both siblings have a desire to die and one of them will eventually succumb to it one way or another while the other lives on. I don't know why we don't just stop breeding like rabbits to end it all, but I think I understand the determination to end it."

"There's no cure...yet," Izuku added. "Assuming what we mistook you for overusing your Quirk at the camp...was really the curse affecting you?"

"Yeah...and the unknown neurological illness I not too long ago found out about."

"You can't just catch a break, can you?" Katsuki grumbled.

I pouted, "You didn't let me finish! As I was saying...the unknown neurological illness is because that woman inherently gave it to me since she didn't want to get some damn treatment...is what I would say if I didn't know about a new aspect of my Quirk."

"OFA?" Izuku questioned, leaning forward in interest.

"Nah, Null."

"Null...? What's that?"

I held up my right scarred hand, pulling the bandages loose I found in Izuku's room, "You remember this, don't you?"

"How could I forget? You were bleeding everywhere and it gave me my first panic attack," Izuku reflected on the memory with an uncomfortable expression. "And your reaction scared me more, it's like you were totally unaffect-..."

Izuku's gaze moved to Katsuki's who nodded in understanding, then back to me.

"You're...still physically vulnerable, but you can't feel pain because you can cancel it out, right?" he asked while moving his hands as if writing in a notebook.

"Right. I can use it on other people, it seems to work on Quirks, and-...Hey! Don't go writing anything in your invincible journal, I don't know if this information is set in stone yet."

"Sorry," he mumbled, placing his fidgeting fingers on his thighs.

"How do you know if it works on Quirks? You didn't cancel out my explosion back then," Katsuki intervened.

"I guess it's due to my tedency of taking on full brink of things and pretending nothing happened or acting as if it didn't hurt. Also, I nulled Izuku's Quirk last night."

"That's...right, you did. Is...your not wanting others to get involved with you also a part of your family's curse?" Izuku asked, looking me over.

I shrugged, "Seemingly so, but I don't know that for sure."

"Milah-chan...I noticed a scar on your forehead this morning and back at camp when your hair was tied up."

I lifted a brow, "What about it?"

"I wanna know the story behind it."

My gaze hesitantly shifts to Katsuki, "What's this about?"

"Hell if I know."

My eyes moved back to an observant Izuku, "So...my Auntie and Jameela were arguing over me one day. It got to a point that woman tried to throw a plate at her, but I moved her out of the way and the plate hit my head. Hence the scar. Why?"

He didn't say anything for a few minutes, seemingly debating on either addressing what I just said or whatever he was about to ask next.

"You idiot," Katsuki barked at me, "What the hell is wrong with you? Curse or no curse, you should've let her protect you. You were a kid."

'Am I really a kid with how many souls that's been in this vessel that's called a "body"?' I thought with a smirk.

"And the one on your stomach?" Izuku finally made his decision.

I tilted my head, "My stomach?"

"Now that I know what's been going on behind closed doors, I'm sure that scar on your stomach isn't just from a "car accident" like you claimed some time ago."

"Deku's got a point," Katsuki agreed.

I balled my lips, not able to counter that, "..."

"You don't normally wear revealing clothes because that scar isn't something you can't easily hide. But it's interesting how you do whenever you model, and the way you alter your appearance is also questionable."

My eyes bulged out of my sockets, my mouth went dry, and my breathing became heavy. My body tensed and I shifted around uncomfortably.

"Wh-Who...who told you about that?"

Izuku "innocently" smiled, "I've been meaning to confront you about it for a while since summer began. You see, thanks to two of my classmates..." Pink dusted his cheeks, "Overappreciation of girls, even on the internet, they wanted to know my opinion on one girl they showed me... Mind telling us why you're a high-paid Instagram model?"

Katsuki snapped his head to me, "What's the nerd spouting, Fox?"

I chuckled as I nervously rubbed the back of my head, "Um, about that...I needed the money."

"Why?" they both asked.

I squirmed on the couch, "I...I don't think I'm able to say at this time. Just know that it was for a good cause..."

"Milah-chan-"

"Hakim and my Auntie know about it. What I did with the money, I didn't do it alone, okay?" I looked between the both of them. "Is that not enough for you two?"

"Dr. Chinen and your older brother..." Izuku mumbled. "I trust their decisions...so it is enough for me," he ended with a smile.

"It's not enough for me," Katsuki grumbled.

I frowned, "What else could you possibly want from me?!"

"Your old woman, I wanna talk to her."

I deadpanned, then looked at Izuku, "You said Todoroki paid my Auntie a visit?"

He nodded.

"Did he say my Uncle was there?"

He nodded again.

I let out a chuckle...then more followed until I was full-on laughing like a maniac as I rest my hands over my chest.

"Oh...don't worry, Katsu. She will be dealt with...and then some. I wonder..."

Gasping, I perked up and reached my hand out, activating Psyka until I felt the familiar rectangular device placed in my hand.

I went to my contacts and immediately clicked on a contact, putting the line on speaker as the two stared at me in confusion. The missed calls and 100 messages didn't go unnoticed.

The line picked up.

["..."]

"..."

["..."]

I felt the tension through the phone and sweat dropped, "...Heey-"

["I. Don't. Want. To. Hear. It."]

I balled my lips again.

["Where are you,"] Hakim demanded.

"I'm with...some friends. I'm safe."

["Midoriya and Bakugo,"] he said matter-of-factly. ["I don't know if they can hear me or not, but if they can't, relay the message. If I ever find out you two keeping my little sister away from me, it's your careers."]

"AAHHH?!" Katsuki rumbled, crackles going off in his palms.

"K-Kacchan, calm down! He has every right to be upset!" Izuku tried to reason with him.

"Hakim!" I shouted at him.

"Your little sister is the one who came to us and told us to not say anything to you!" Katsuki yelled at him.

["...Ami, why?"]

"Well...to be completely honest with you..." I felt my cheeks warm up, "After what Joon-Woo said, I just can't face him right now! It'd be so awkward and embarrassing being around him, Kimy! For crying out loud, can you blame me?! No one's ever confessed to..."

I thought about it for a moment...then pouted.

"I take that back...what I meant to say was no one's ever confessed to me like...that," I emphasized "that". "I got really nervous and ran off because...because I don't know how to properly deal with those kinds of feelings!"

["..."]

"..."

"..."

"...Isn't anyone going to say any-"

["For once, you're acting like a real girl...but at the most complicated time,"] Hakim sighed. ["I hope those things you said to him weren't true. He plays everything off, but you know the guy has a soft spot for you."]

I pouted again, "Unfortunately...I meant every word I said. I am undeserving, I don't want anyone to love me...they'll just end up getting hurt."

["You only feel that way because of that one incident. You were just...young, heavily dependent, and impressionable. You don't even know what it means to "love"."]

"And you do?"

["Gotta hell of a better concept than you."]

I chuckled, "You were quite popular at U.A., huh?"

["Don't remind me,"] he groaned. ["Back to the matter at hand...I understand that you don't want to see him at the moment, but at least come back to my apartment. Joon is still with Rika at their place."

"...What about..."

["She's not here, and it doesn't look like anyone's been in here."]

"And Uncle Rio?"

Hakim chuckled, ["He's not here either, but he's called and texted me like crazy. He's worried about us."]

"With the new information he's been told, I'm sure he is."

["What new info?"]

"Auntie intentionally spilled everything in front of him. Izu and Katsu told me because Sho was there with Uncle Rio, too."

["..."]

"Kimy?"

["Uh...it's good that he knows, but I'm a little worried for Todoroki."]

I lifted a brow and so did my lips, "What do you mean?"

["Joon...may or may not have, uh...made an enemy out of Todoroki. You know what that means, right?"]

"...Fuck," I groaned. "It's a complete misunderstanding! He knows whoever that person was disguised as Shoto!"

The confused and lost expressions from the two near me didn't go unnoticed, but I just shook my head. Hopefully, this slides by and they never try to ask me.

["According to Rika, he feels that the disguised person is related to Todoroki in some way. I'm not gonna hold ya...I got my suspicions about him, too."]

"What?! Not you, too, Hakim-"

["Not...that one,"] he emphasized.

My mouth was agape for a moment, thinking about what he meant...until the devastating realization hit me. My lips pursed at the possibility of the same person we could be thinking of.

If I warned you about your mother, you both would've known the precautions to take with her, and you both would've been more careful and weary with the people you interact with... Like the Todorokis.

My gaze hesitantly moved between the worried broccoli boy and the eager-looking angry pomeranian.

"What did that Half 'n' Half bastard do now?"

"Is Todoroki in trouble somehow?" Izuku jumped up, "Wait! Hatif said, "At least she hasn't killed him yet"! What did you mean by that? Kamilah?! What do you plan on doing to Todoroki?!"

I closed my eyes, "I gotta go," is all I said before ending the phone call and standing up only to feel my feet plant on a wooden floorboard.

The sound of a phone's line hanging up is the only sound that could be heard in the apartment.

"..."

"I knew that'd get you here quick."

"How are you involved?"

"A friend, Natsuo Todoroki."

"Sho's older brother?"

"Sho...is that a name you came up with to make it seem like you two were on friendly terms?"

"You know nothing."

"I know enough to piece the puzzle."

"...How much do you know?"

"It took a while to earn his trust, but I know Natsuo wouldn't lie to me about anything he's mentioned about his family. I know that he had an older brother named Toya. I know that he didn't exactly fit into the "family picture", so that validates his disappearances with his training. I know that you would visit a friend's house and stay the night from time to time. I know that Shoto was going through it which is why I let him around you since you were seemingly the only kid he talked to. I know that the friend you visited was none other than Toya Todoroki because of those burn marks...and last night, I looked into an incident about a forest fire that spawned from orangish-red to blue the deeper it went. I know it happened on the same day you came home...nearly dead. I know that he was that imposter at the hospital to gain your trust. I know that you feel as if it's Shoto's fault for that even happening...simply because he was born."

"..."

"So...you have anything you want to say to me, Kamilah?"

I shrugged, "What do you want me to say, Hakim?"

"You still love him?"

"Yes."

"..." Hakim sighed when I opened my eyes to see him leaning back on his desk chair.

"Is there a problem with that?"

"It is."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"...Nothing," he opened his eyes to look directly into mine, "What can I do about it? There's nothing I can do for you because every time I try, it backfires."

I felt a pang of guilt at his self-degradation, "There...there is something you can do about it. Don't tell anyone about this. Please? For me? I can't handle the backlash I'll receive right now."

"So you want me to keep quiet and let things play out?"

"Whatever happens, happens."

"...I can do this for you, but if it gets to a point where I have to step in, I will. I can only let but so much happen to you, Kamilah, and I put that on our "Mama"."

He got a giggle out of me, "I greatly appreciate it, Hakim."

He nodded, "So...Rui knows about both of our situations because of Misuzu. It's safe to assume she invaded my private life, too, from time to time. What do you think he's gonna do about this?"

"I don't know, but I trust Dad. Speaking of Dad, where is he?"

Hakim shrugged, "He and Aunt Yui haven't been picking up their phones. Rika told me they left shortly after we both ran out. I trust that Auntie will watch him and bring him back from...whatever they're doing." He lifted his chin off his fist, "We've got another thing to address. Shoto. How do you feel about him?"

"Honestly speaking, when I met Shoto and recognized who he was, there was this feeling, an urge...the most hardcore desire I've ever felt. I was struggling with the thought of killing Shoto...so Endeavor could know how it feels to take away a precious person you thought was dead for most of your life and put another precious person behind bars who you thought you'd never see again." I closed my eyes, letting out a heavy sigh to relieve the shortly relived anger. "But I didn't. I'd really be a horrible person if I did that and I wanted to keep Shoto as my friend because I wanted to build enough trust between us to only let it crumble one day. But...Shoto grew on me, bringing my hostility down bit by bit with Izuku and Katsuki's help."

"Bakugo hel-" Hakim shook his head, "So what does that mean?"

"It'll...take time to readjust. I've been on the verge of forgiveness since the camp. However, I'll feel weird around him when I see him again...I can't exactly forgive myself for all the terrible things I thought of doing to him. I...I still hate him, but I don't want to hurt him anymore. That's all...that's all I can give you for now."

"That's...enough for me right now," he sighed out of relief this time.

'But Endeavor will not be spared.'

"What about Jameela?" I asked him.

"We'll proceed with Zurui's plan. If anything pops up with her, I'll deal with it. Just attend the school like normal. Oh! And if Midoriya, Todoroki, or Bakugo tries to get in your business-"

I grinned, "I already know. It should be easy since we're in different classes."

"Alright. Let's wait a week to let things settle a little more."

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

I nodded, "For the last time, Kimy, I can hold my own. I am my father's child after all," I said with a genuine beaming smile.

He smiled, "It's been so long..."

I tilted my head, "What do you mean?"

"Since you've had that kinda smile on your face. It's not...fake..."

I looked out the window, "I know...and I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be sorry, Ami. If anything, I'm the sorry one."

I got out of the truck as soon as it came to a stop, "One thing, is anyone here expecting me?"

"Just the staff. They wanted to make it a surprise for your classmates," Hakim grinned.

"You know I don't like surprises, Kimy," I whined.

"I know, but this isn't for you. It's for your classmates. I'm sure they'll be excited to see you."

I shrugged, "After I willingly went with the League? I guess...?"

"You did it for Bakugo's sake so you shouldn't be ashamed."

I blew the strands of my new haircut out of the way, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't go for my own selfish reasons."

"That's...a different subject entirely."

"Mhm," I hummed while closing the door. "I'll text you after school," I shouted, taking off towards the entrance.

Because the gates were closed, I simply teleported behind them and continued my walk. Thankfully, doing that didn't set any alarms off.

"What class am I in right now...?" I wondered aloud to myself.

I looked at the time on my phone. I hurried into the building and slipped on my school shoes to catch the last 30 minutes of my English class.

When I got there, I simply slid open the door and took a few steps in.

Literal silence.

I blinked at my classmates and teacher who stared back at me with shock and bewilderment.

"...Okay, this is awk—agh!"

"SHIMIZU!" Komori and Monoma shouted, overpowering me with a hug.

If it weren't for my Quirk, I would've fallen on my ass.

"Oh, my goodness!" Ibara gasped.

"Where were you?!" Kendo questioned with worry.

"Are you okay?!" Rin shouted.

"You weren't hurt, were you?!" Tetsutetsu yelled amongst the others.

"I thought something serious had happened when your family took over the search for you!" Tsuburaba panicked.

"Don't ever scare us like that again!" Tsunotori whined.

"I cried everyday!" Komori cried.

More concern and cries were thrown my way, overwhelming me to the point of silence because I didn't expect this kind of reaction.

I continued blinking owlishly, 'Huh...so I am liked here? I didn't think my absence would've made much of a difference...'

"WEEEELLLLCOOOOME BAAAAACK, SHIMIZUUUU!" Mister Yamada announced, making everyone flinch and/or cover their ears.

I gave a nervous chuckle, "Uh...glad to be back?"

A bead of sweat dropped on my forehead as I made a closed-eyed smile, 'At this point, I know everyone on this floor knows I'm here.'

Lunch.

Great.

I dread it.

Why?

I can't go sit by myself like how I usually do.

No, no, no. Not today. Monoma, Komori, and Kendo made sure I sat with them...and not just them, all of Class 1-B.

I repeatedly tapped my foot against the floor out of anxiety, 'Shit, I left my mela pen at Rika's place...'

"Shimizu."

I pushed my golden-rimmed glasses up once my eyes settled on...Kodai.

"Yes?"

"The new haircut."

I tilted my head, "What about it?"

"I like it."

"Thank you. That blue fire wielding guy burnt my hair off when I used myself as bait at the camp so...I had to get a new haircut."

"I don't like how it happened, but you look pretty with short hair," Kaibara complimented.

A genuine blush spread across my cheeks, 'What the hell? I know not. Did he really just call me "pretty"? I'm not used to hearing that outside of my usual friend group. This shouldn't even be any different from Kodai telling me she likes my hair!'

I kept my up smile so as not to reveal my shyness, "Thank you. I think so, too."

"Pretty", huh?" Tsuburaba remarked teasingly.

"Why don't you ask her out next?" Tokage joked.

Surprisingly, Kaibara and I kept neutral expressions as the rest of our classmates laughed and Monoma argued against it while Kendo tried to reason with them.

'Looks like we're both used to bullshit,' I thought nonchalantly.

"Anyways...Shimizu, were the teachers aware of you being here today? If so, why didn't they tell us?" Kendo asked.

"Yeah, they were. I guess they were in on it with my family of my return being a "surprise". I had no say in the matter."

"So where ya been all this time?" Tetsutetsu asked.

I sighed, "In rehabilitation."

Monoma did a double take, "Excuse me? You said you weren't hurt!"

I tapped my finger on my head, "Rehabilitation in here."

He blinked, "...oh..." He then frowned, "It's all because of that explosive brute that this happened to you."

"Hey, now, don't blame him. We were all vulnerable," Awase chimed in.

"Yeah! Also, Shimizu and Bakugo are childhood friends. They're close so of course she wouldn't just have stood by and do nothing," Komori added.

"We're not childhood friends, but let's go with that for now," I rolled on with a sigh.

"Even Midoriya was trying his best, with broken arms might I add. Speaking of Midoriya..." Rin looked at me, "I heard you two went against the villain, Muscular."

"We did."

He narrowed his eyes, "With your bare hands?"

I lifted a brow, "Yes?"

"You don't strike me as the close combat type."

"I am. I like to train my body more than my Quirk. I've been meaning to prove to someone that-"

"You "can kick ass without a Quirk"...right?" a different voice finished my sentence.

Looking up and behind me, to the point my glasses slid on the tip of my nose, I saw a teary-eyed, smiling cinnamon roll.

My eyes widened as a big smile spread on my face. Twisting myself out of my seat, I toppled over the chair as I hugged Izuku who...returned the hug despite falling on his back.

"IZUKU!" I shouted joyously, snuggling my left cheek against his. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you, too," he laughed.

I gasped, lifting myself off of him, "Last time I saw you, I didn't even consider asking you about your injuries! Are you okay?!" I looked him over, checking his arms. "Wait, what the hell am I talking about?! Of course you're not okay with my fat ass lying on you!"

I scrambled to my feet while he did the same, "Y-You're not fat, a-and you weren't heavy a-at all!" he stuttered.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better," I groaned as I lightly pinched his freckled cheek.

"I'm not," he reinstated. "And who knows...? M-Ma...maybe f-fat...is good..."

I blinked, crossing my arms and lifting a brow, "Oh, really?"

"Uh-oh, don't let Midoriya put the moves on her, Kaibara!" Tsuburaba teased.

Kaibara simply sighed and shook his head while I slowly turned around to stare at Tsuburaba...menacingly.

"Izuku is my little brother."

"Whoa! Really?!" Komori looked in between us. "I don't...um...see the...the resemblance."

"Not biologically," Izuku informed with pink-tinted cheeks.

"He's my brotha from anotha motha," I used my accent.

A sudden tug by my wrist made me crash into something...or someone. I grunted a little from the rough treatment.

Not needing to look up to see my capturer, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in, then slowly let it out.

'It's okay. Just act normal...well, not that there's a "normal" between us. Play it cool.'

I finally looked up into...burning vermilion rubies. We both didn't say anything to each other, both of us staring at each other with no intention of looking away.

To others, it looked like we wanted to kill each other.

"...What's this about?" I heard Komori whisper.

"Don't know..." Rin mumbled.

"Kacchan?"

"..."

"Milah-chan?"

"..."

Vermillion rubies...rubies...

Let go or you'll suffocate, Kamilah

The abrupt memory made me lose eye contact with him. I hoped he wasn't about to do what I think he was going to do in front of everybody. I looked up from my shoes when I regained some confidence, frowning,

"No matter how many times I tell you not to be near me while I'm here, you're like a kicked puppy that keeps coming back."

"Here we go..." Izuku mumbled with a sigh.

"Huh? Wha-" Tetsutetsu was cut short of his question.

"A kicked puppy? As if you weren't one your damn self last week! You're the one who was coughing up blood!"

I scoffed, "Oh, really?! You would've gotten your ass kicked hadn't I been Captain Save-A-Hoe and went after your ass last week! No one told you to come after me either!"

"K-Kacchan, Milah-chan...please, calm down."

"Shut it, damn nerd!"

"If he's a nerd, I guess that makes me one, too! So, let me go and don't talk to me!"

"Bakubro, Shimizu just got back..." I noticed a redhead boy behind him along with a pink-skinned and pinked-haired girl.

"I don't give a shit! She can't just come back like everything is peaches and cream!" he yelled.

"The hell I can't! I'm not hurt, and I'm alive!" I retorted. "You got me all the way fucked up! Acting like a clingy ass boyfriend!"

"Oh wow..." Kodai mumbled.

"You weren't complaining when I saved your ass at the raid!"

"You know, you could've gave me a warning before you were gonna yeet me over that wall?! You're lucky Sh...Todoroki caught me or I'd be beating your ass right now!"

"Ooo..." Tsuburaba instigated.

"Bet your big ass is alright!"

"Oh, screw you, you jackass!"

"Same here, chubby!"

"Now, me personally...I wouldn't let him talk to me li-" the pink-skinned girl also instigated.

"Ashido!" the redhead scolded her as she giggled.

"Fox!"

"Pomeranian!"

"Peach girl!"

"..."

"Oh, no..." Izuku mumbled. "M-Milah-chan, take deep breaths! I'm sure Kacchan didn't mean it! It'll be okay! Hurtful things can be said when in a heated argument!" he attempted to save Katsuki...

But there was no saving this boy now.

No one can save him now that he's said that.

Katsuki grabbed my bandaged fist that had set ablaze with Psyka's energy. Before I could shake his hand away, a hand grabbed his forearm.

"Don't touch her, Bakugo."

Katsuki's anger seemed to have spiked once he saw the face that matched the voice.

"Same goes for you, Icy Hot," he seethed, snatching his arm away from us both.

"Todoroki, I can take care of myself, Shoto," I muttered, glancing away from him.

Shoto's mismatched eyes expressed confusion at that, but he let it slide...for now.

"I believe you can, but I don't like how you've gotten this heated because of Bakugo."

"So bold!" Komori squeaked.

"Ohh, I see what's going on here now..." the pink-skinned girl said with a playful smile.

Katsuki scoffed. Keeping his eyes on Shoto, he pulled me close by wrapping an arm around my left side.

"You wanna go, Icy Hot? I got plenty of reasons to fight you right now."

Meanwhile, I'm struggling to get away from the two, especially Katsuki.

'Oh, shit...He's way too close. Closer than last week. Wait, wait...how many? Two, four, six...a forming eight...No! Focus!'

"Katsuki, let me go!" I shouted, looking at him. "No way in hell are you getting me caught up between you two! Whatever beef you both have, leave me out of it!"

I broke out of Katsuki's hold on me. As soon as I did, I took this opportunity to snatch a flustered Izuku away from the scene to do us all a favor...

And by us, I mean me. I can't face Shoto right now, Katsuki is pissing me off, and I need to talk to Izuku in private.

"Let's go, Izu. We don't need this..." I turned around, looking at Katsuki and up down before continuing onward, "Trash.

"Milah-chan, where are we-"

I quickly teleported us beneath a familiar tree. I let go of Izuku's hand once he got a grip on his balance.

With utmost ease, I scaled the tree and sat down on the branch, quickly pulling out my mela pen from my pocket.

"Shit, I needed this since I walked in class..." I started the pen and took a deep inhale.

"Milah-chan, why did you drag us all the way—WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" he exclaimed with shock.

"My coping mechanism," I blew the smoke out. "It's not a vape nor is it weed. It's just a stick filled with natural herbs to calm the nerves and body."

"How long have you been..."

"Ever since 13. It's a healthier alternative than overdosing on morphine."

"...You used to do that?"

I nodded, "To not feel the mental effects, but it only gave me so little to work with. This isn't why I dragged you out here to talk about."

"Then...what is it?"

"Izuku, we need to train together."

"...Eh?"

I sighed out another smoke, "You already forgot what I said a week ago?"

"No, I didn't forget. It's just that you left on such short notice...and with what your brother said about Todoroki, and you suddenly coming back is...a little overwhelming."

"Imagine what it's like for me," I commented, taking another inhale of mela. "Anyway, yeah, OFA, I need you to train me."

Izuku flinched at that, "How do you expect me to do that when I don't even have all the training myself?"

"So what do you suggest I do?"

Izuku's gaze shifted between me and the ground, fidgeting, "Well...you're not gonna like it."

"At this point, I'm down for whatever so shoot, give it to me."

"...All-Might already knows that you and Kacchan know."

I finally let the smoke out, "Mhm..."

"And he knows about one of previous users, the temporary one, his mentor told him about her...Misuzu, was it?"

"...yeah..." I said uneasily.

"And he wants to train you alongside with me. He figures that since you already have a Quirk with OFA on top of it, you'll explode like an egg!" he chirped as if nothing was wrong.

"What-"

"And we can't have that happening!" he chirped again with determination this time.

I stared down at Izuku, upper lip lifted that showed off some of my teeth, expressing my disdain at his chipper mood.

"...I see I rubbed off you a lil'... Speaking of that, what the hell was that shit you pulled last week?"

His eyes popped open and confusion settled in those forest-green emeralds, "What do you mean?"

"Oh? You don't remember? Well, let me spin back around the block. Your bedroom, morning time, right before Katsuki interrupted."

"Umm-"

"What were you saying about Katsuki? I'm honestly curious to hear what you had to say. I've never seen you like that before. So...bothered. What were you going to say, Izuku?"

"I...I don't recall anything like that," he quickly defended.

"...Really now? So I was just imagining you trapping me on your bed?"

"No...it's just that...I was upset about the things you were saying about yourself. I don't remember anything during that time." His head lowered to the grass, "So if i did something that bothered you...I'm sorry. I just..really...care about you."

"..."

"..."

I smiled, "I care about you, too, Izuku. That's why I asked. You were...speaking your mind. Kinda like a crime of passion, but without the murder," I giggled the last part out.

He nervously chuckled, but his head stayed down. "I guess...you're right..."

"But that still doesn't answer my question. What doesn't Katsuki deserve?"

"Uh..."

"My attention?"

"It's not that-"

"Then what is it? My time? My support?...As much as that asshole doesn't recognize it."

"No, nothing like that!"

"Don't need to sound so pressed, Izu. It's just a simple question. Even if your response is negative, I won't be phased. You have every right to talk shit about Katsu. I don't blame you."

"It's not so much as that... It's just that I feel Kacchan doesn't...quite...deserve you."

I blinked, tilting my head like a bird, "...I'm sorry? Come again?"

"What I mean is...you and Kacchan, despite your differences...aren't you both close?"

I crossed my right leg over the other, intertwining my fingers together on my lap, and leaning over to get a better look at the broccoli boy who's shrunk into his shell.

"Close? What do you...what do you mean by that? By "close"? I need a definition, an explanation right now."

"Well...thinking back to that same morning, and the beginning of our conversation, I-I figured that...y-you an-and Kacchan are...t-together. I-I mean...you obviously trust h-him more than you do with me—a-anybody else!"

I chuckled, "First of all, sweetheart...me and Katsuki aren't dating so take that "Kacchan doesn't deserve me" nonsense out of your head. Second of all, I trust Katsuki enough to not put my business out there so I could get "help"—no offense to you, by the way. Third of all, he was my help, step-by-step. Fourth of all, I didn't want to get you involved in my personal problems because you've had enough on your plate and...you're the innocence I want to protect that I've failed to protect in myself."

"...Was I...not enough?"

My posture tensed, hearing his voice crack a little, "What?"

"Was I not...trustworthy enough? I understand that I'm incompetent in a lot of areas that Kacchan can fill in, but...I at least thought you trusted me enough to know whatever he knows."

"...Izuku, I'm sorry. I take back what I said a week ago about not apologizing. I'm sorry as hell that I haven't told you what I've told Katsuki. I made you feel left out. Instead of protecting you, I ended up hurting you. Even though I've apologized, I feel that there's no amount of apologies to undo what I've done-"

"I forgive you, Kamilah...on one condition."

"...What is it?"

As uncomfortable as I am...I agreed to do this for Izuku.

The peppermint-colored hair in front of me shifted as the owner looked between me and the viridian sitting on my right.

I averted eye contact with the curious boy, the guilt building up in my throat. It felt like I couldn't breathe, my body felt warm all over, and I felt jitters creep up on me from time to time.

"Midoriya...what's this about?"

"I just want confirmation and the tru-"

I slammed my hands on the small wooden table, "I-I need mela!"

"...What?"

Todoroki owlishly blinked at me as I stood up while Izuku was fumbling to get me to sit back down, but I gently swat him away as I moved across the room to his balcony door.

"Milah-chan, it'll be okay! You can do this!" Izuku tried to encourage me.

"Yeah, as soon as I get a puff in," I mumbled as I stepped out on the balcony door and slipped my pen from inside my blazer.

The sunset would've been comforting hadn't I got myself in this situation. However, it's only right I give the answers Izuku is looking for and confirm things with Todoroki.

Placing the pen between my lips, I noticed the blue light blinking on it, meaning I had a few drags left.

"Alqarf, why now?"

"Language, Milah-chan!" Izuku chided which didn't surprise me at all since he caught on to some words I'd say in Arabic. "I'm sorry for barging in on you like this, Todoroki. Milah-chan has bad anxiety so she uses that...what's it called?"

"Mela," I answered, taking my first drag.

"Me...la?"

"Melatonin pen, herbs crunched up like a tea bag to calm down."

"Yyyeahhh...that. She used that to calm down so you don't have to worry about the smell or its effects on her. Plus...our visit is very important."

I felt eyes on the back of my head and there was a brief silence. Normally, Todoroki's silence would be comforting and not awkward at all.

This time, it was different.

"I figured," he finally said something. "Kamilah."

My body stiffened so I only moved my head in the direction of his voice to let him know I was listening.

"Mrs. Shimizu...is she really as terrible Dr. Chinen says she is?"

"...Everything you heard my Auntie say is true, Todoroki. As ironic as it is, my mother...is the villain of my story." I chuckled, "At least one of them. Why? Why do you want to know?"

"...I share you sentiment."

"La alqarf."

"Milah-chan."

"Sorry...it's the mela," I lied...when it was really my inability to talk to him normally.

"I'm sorry about her language, Todoroki."

"It's fine. I like this side of her."

'Don't. Don't...don't like this side of me. Don't like anything about me,' I thought to myself as I took the third drag of what little mela I had.

"There's no easy way to say this...or rather, I shouldn't be the one to say it. Kamilah has something she wants to say to you."

"Good. Because I have a lot to say to her."

"...Before I start, mind telling me what you have to say first...? It'd prepare me for the next words I'm going to speak," I responded, leaning my forehead on my hand as I leaned against the rail.

"...Shortly after I caught you in my arms, you said you hate me, didn't you, Kamilah?"

"...I used t-"

"Now I know," he cut me off. "Knowing that you were telling the truth...doesn't feel good...like I'd expect it to, but...I'm relieved I know now. It wouldn't get off my mind, I was paranoid about it all this time."

I didn't move, somewhat unnerved by his calm response.

"You hate me...because of my father. What I had...is something you didn't because my father imprisoned yours, right?"

I slowly lifted my head, wondering how he knew this information.

"Does that explain Mrs. Shimizu's behavior toward you? Because she couldn't put her own husband behind bars, she regretted it...and looks at you with fear?"

My unoccupied left hand squeezed the rail. I'm glad I was turned away from the two because I'm sure I had a feral expression with how hard I'm gritting my teeth and eyes as wide as saucers.

"It's a familiar story, isn't it? I...I didn't know anything about your family nor did I really know you. I didn't know about your suffering. I didn't know about your stress. I didn't know about your struggles. And because I invested myself in the fantasy land you created for me, I apo-"

"Don't."

"..."

"Milah-chan?"

"Hate...is an emotion that doesn't fade away easily...even if it's for a ridiculous reason such as this." I looked over my shoulder enough to stare him in the eyes, "I don't need your pity or your apology."

"..." I was always one of the rare people able to elicit some emotion to display on his stoic face. What stares back at me is only something I could describe as...surprise?

I turned my head back to the sunset, taking one of the last few drags of mela. I tried to relax my posture...

"...I don't want to say I don't feel anything toward you now because, in my head, that means I absolutely feel nothing for the person who fucked me over, or contributed to it. In technicalities...you didn't. I don't want to say we can remain friends either...not that that was ever the case, but I don't want you to get close to me again. I feel guilty for the things I was planning to do to you to simply get back at Endeavor. Let's just say...it'll take a while for me to forgive myself."

"...I believe you...and I trust you to do whatever it is you have to do to cope with that," Izuku broke the ice of silence.

I hummed, looking off into the distance.

"...You hate me to the point you wanted to kill me. Is that how you felt? Because you thought you'd never see your father ever again?"

"...Yes."

"I completely understand now."

I bitterly chuckled, "What? Aren't you scared? Surely, thinking about every moment we've spent together...knowing that I was thinking that, scares you, right? Shouldn't that make you not want to be near me?"

"If it were by your hand...I wouldn't mind." Todoroki's response made Izuku hum in concern. "Midoriya, you were right."

"Huh? Right about what?"

"She'll say anything to push away someone who gets too close to her."

I jolted at hearing that...then he dared to chuckle. "How dare you? After what we just discussed, do you find this funny? Just because I have no desire to kill you anymore doesn't mean my hatred is gone."

"If you want me to know how much you hate me...I'll listen to you."

I pushed myself from the rail, making a spin into the room, and directly stomped down to his level, blowing smoke in his face.

"Don't ever say some shit like that to me ever again...and until I say so, don't speak to me."

"Milah-chan, you don't need to be so harsh. I understand how you feel, but how you're acting towards Todoroki now is uncalled for," Izuku attempted to rationalize with me.

It took a brief glare at Izuku to make him jump and bite his bottom lip to be quiet. His gaze moved to the table as his fists clenched on his lap.

"As I was saying, you will not talk to me until I say so. I have a lot to sort out in this clutter fuck I call a brain." I bent up from the stunned peppermint boy before making my way to his door.

"Wait, Milah-chan! You didn't give Todoroki any closure-"

"I'm aware that the License Exam is coming up. This means we're going to be fighting tooth and nail against other schools. I'm willing to work with either of you..." I looked over my shoulder at the two speechless boys, "There's your closure."

With that, I opened the door and closed it behind me. Walking a little ways to exit the hall, I looked down at each side of the hall to see if anyone else was around.

As soon as I had seen there was no one, I let out a heavy sigh, placed my hands over my heart, and closed my eyes.

'Things are moving a little too fast. I need to sort my thoughts about Toya before I even consider how to determine how Todoroki and I interact.' A worried expression crossed my face...

The last time I interacted with him was-...my face felt warm remembering the last time we were together. 'I...miss his warmth. I hope he's taking care of himself since the raid...'

Does that make me a terrible person?

I like the guy who wants to hurt...or even kill his brother, that brother being the same one who thought we were friends, and both of them being the sons of the hero that I hate just as much as the woman who birthed me.

'Maybe...just maybe...I can convince Toya to change his mind. I could convince him that...I'm enough. Aren't I? Shouldn't I be enough? He doesn't have to seek revenge.'

The sudden image of that woman who calls herself a mother came to mind...an early memory of her smiling at my father.

I shook my head, 'That sounds stupid as hell, Ami. I'm studying to be a psychotherapist. Am I serious? All of that anger from neglect and rejection has to have boiled over all of these years. I can't change Toya; no one can change anyone, that person has to be willing to change themselves. But...there has to be a way to direct Toya's anger from Todoroki to Endeavor only. I'm not willing to risk the other two siblings, especially knowing Natsuo is Hakim's friend.'

I rubbed the few strands hanging from my haircut back, gripping my scalp, "How the hell am I gonna do this?"

I heard a gasp, "It's her..." I heard a guy's voice in the opposite direction of the elevator.

"Act normal," said another voice.

They both sounded familiar so I turned my head in the direction, quickly looking them over. It was the redhead from earlier at lunch that tried to calm Katsuki down, and the yellow-haired boy whose hair resembles Pikachu's design from the camp.

I waved, "Hi."

They didn't verbally respond, but both of their eyes moved behind me, looking down the hall I'm standing in front of before their eyes returned to me.

To quickly dismiss their assumptions, I waved my hand and shook my head.

"Todoroki and I are just acquaintances. I let him borrow something, and I just came here to get it back." I bowed my head, "I'll be taking my leave."

"Wait!" the redhead spoke up, making me stop before I could move. "Uh, I just wanted to apologize..."

I tilted my head, "Apologize? For what?"

"For you and Bakugo...being captured. I couldn't do anything to help out back at the camp. If I had been there, you wouldn't have to pull what you pulled at the camp."

I lifted a brow, "You know about me tryna save that angry pomeranian?"

He nodded, "Everyone does, but...he told me himself...and he was angry at himself for letting something like that happen. That's why...I wanted to apologize to you, and I already had to him."

"Me, too!" the yellow-haired boy added.

I burst out laughing, making the two stare up at me with bizarre expressions. They looked in between each other, then back at me. I calmed down enough to speak clearly.

"Haha...oh, that's, hehe...that's hilarious. I admire your concern and bravery, but I think the situation would've turned out the same regardless of your presence. That blue flame wielder was quite adamant about capturing me specifically."

The two seemed to be stunned just as the last two boys I not too long ago talked to had been.

"By the way...thank you for being friends with Katsuki..." I looked down at the floor, frowning, "He's...going to need to them... I feel that it's only a matter of time..."

"A matter of time of what?" his sudden voice appeared out of nowhere, making me look in the other direction.

I scowled, immediately putting up my defenses, "None ya business."

"I heard my name in your mouth so it is my business," he grumbled. His eyes moved to the hall behind me. "The hell were you in his room for?"

I deadpanned, "I don't like repeating myself. For the last time, none ya business."

He began to approach me, but I held my hand out, using Psyka to keep him mid-stride. "Let me go, Fox..." he growled.

"No. And after what you did today? Hell no!" I shouted at him.

"That's only because you started it! Disappearing and reappearing as if shit is sweet!"

"I have my reasons, you know that as well as I do!"

"Exactly. You have your reasons. Ever thought that you're the problem sometimes?"

As soon as those words left Katsuki's mouth, his eyes widened, seemingly instantly regretting them at the sight of my eyes drooping and the confidence in my chest deflating.

"...You...don't understand how many times I've thought that in the back of my mind."

There was a tense silence between the both of us until a hesitant voice spoke up to break the ice.

"So...I don't mean to interrupt whatever it is you two got going on, but...are you both dating?" the Pikachu-looking boy asked.

Our gaze shifted to him, making him tense and hide behind the redhead.

"Me?"

Katsuki and I looked at each other, both giving the other indescribable looks.

"Date him?"

"Date her?"

"I-I didn't mean any of that in a negative context! I was just curious because you two always seem to be around each other! Kacchan is loud and angry while, from what I can see, Shimizu is calm and collected! Ya know what they say! Opposites attract!" he tried to add a positive note at the end.

"..."

"..."

"...I don't think you should've said that," the redhead whispered.

"Hmmm..." I hummed. "Well...I'm not entirely opposed to dating Katsuki." My eyes moved back to him, playfully sizing him up as I ran past him, "So long as he gets that proudful stick out of his ass! Which is never!"

As soon as I got past him and into the elevator, I pressed the button like a maniac as my kinesis wore off on him to which he immediately ran after me.

"The name's Eijirou Kirishima by the way!" the redhead shouted.

"I'm Denki Kaminari! Nice seeing—I mean, meeting you, Shimizu!"

I gave them a wave, "It's Milah!"

The door closed just in time; the last thing I saw was angry red eyes and the last thing he saw was cunning blue eyes.

I leaned against the rail behind me, cupping my warm cheeks and shaking my head.

'He's the only one that gets me acting up like this... It's not like that, it can't be that...I'm no good for him.'

A/N:

"La alqarf" means "No shit" in Arabic.

I wanted to do a double update, but I needed to add more to end this chapter on a better note than I had originally planned. I also needed to make sure everything was written in the order I wanted it to be. Again, this is gonna be a chapter I might have to come back to and edit. Because I'm a simp for Shoto and Toya/Dabi, I want to leave Kamilah's feelings for Shoto on a cliffhanger until I figure them out. / Huh...the irony...I love Shoto, but I'm making my OC hate him...