In the end, I was expelled.

I expected it, but I was still disappointed about it. I liked those science classes. Now, I had to be homeschooled, and probably now had to wait an extra year before being able to apply to U.A.

The school played favorites, and only had Asmit suspended for a week. The family had their fingers in their financial pie, and the only way they could maintain that financial support was to expel me. They played favorites on this one, which was understandable.

I knew dad wasn't happy about it. Knowing him, he probably had an ace up his sleeve, or was going to do something to the school later. But he took the verdict well, and didn't fight it when it came, even though I knew he was upset at the result, probably more for my sake than his.

We went back to the car, and my dad was very calm and quiet. It helped me a lot.

And then he wasn't quiet.

"I think I know what your punishment will be," he said causally.

I physically braced. "Oh?"

"You're going to start coming to class with me."

...

"WHAT?!"

"It's not like you have anything else to do," He said matter of factly, looking back at me, despite my outburst. "It'll be good for you, Samiko. There are people with lots of potential there. And you don't have to do or say anything if you don't want to. I'll just have you grade papers while I teach. It's a win-win."

He knew that I didn't like his classes. At all. They were big, and loud, and stupid, and overwhelming, and that I didn't like any of those things. I wasn't going to get along with a lot of those kids there-What is he thinking?!

"It's a win-win only for you!"

He glared at me as he pulled out of the parking lot of the school. "We'll discuss this when you're feeling better. And if you keep yelling, you'll hurt your voice."

I slumped back in my seat with a groan.

Why is he always right?!

.o0o.

Aizawa P.O.V

We drove to U.A. in complete silence after I told her her punishment. That probably was not the best idea, but I did look at her in the passenger seat periodically to make sure she didn't pass out from anything other than good-ol' exhaustion.

Recovery Girl said she was fine. She did a quick examination, kissed her forehead, and let her rest behind the curtain. I was waiting outside.

The door opened and I stood up.

Recovery Girl spoke before I could. "You're right," she said, "She's got a big bruise on her stomach, but no concussion. Seemed pretty averse to talking about it, but I know my place. She's sleeping now. I'm thinking of doing her yearly physical after she wakes up, if that's okay with you."

"Fine by me. She should be okay, though?"

"Just a little sore tomorrow, but nothing that's crippling."

"Good. I wanted her to meet my class on Monday," I said, looking at my buzzing phone.

"I thought she wanted to avoid your students? I mean, I can't blame her."

I put it back away and said, "It's her punishment for starting the fight. But, I'm not going to make her do anything beyond say hello and be with the classroom with me."

"Ah. Well, keep an eye on her. A few of those students may not adhere to the boundaries she has."

I knew what she meant. Samiko was a beautiful girl, and growing into her curves quickly. I knew that boys were boys and would be as such, but I knew the line between "being a boy" and "sexual harassment." I had a few names to watchout for concerning that line, and I knew that. I thought the fight was about something along those lines, but when I turned out to be wrong, I was glad for it.

Boys would be boys, but that didn't mean I liked it. I knew I had to watch her, and watch them even closer.

"I know. But she can handle herself," I told Recovery Girl.

"I know," she assured, "And I'm not saying anything against your students either."

"No, I understand. A few of them I have to watch for that anyway. Thank you for your concern," I said quietly.

"Not a problem. Now, get in here. Those bandages need to be changed."

.o0o.

Samiko woke up a few hours after dark-only around 8:00 PM or so-and Recovery Girl gave her her physical. She was overall healthy, and she was probably going to start her period soon, in which she gave some pads and a pamphlet to her, as well as an invite to her office any time she needed help, now that she would be staying at U.A. full time.

She was still somewhat groggy from Chiyo's quirk, so by the time we got to the apartment, I was carrying her to her room.

This reminded me of when I first got her. She was only four years old and small. She was surprisingly clingy, but she never imposed or assumed anything. Even now, she was still small, but she was growing up, and no one could deny that.

I was able to wake her up enough to get her to change into her pajamas, and that was just about the last of her energy. She immediately crawled into bed, and fell asleep almost instantly.

I sat on the bed next to her, brushing her hair out of her eyes. My fingers trickled down the left side of her face as I observed the small scar that ran over her eyelid, and the small bruise that was on her brow bone.

She's suffered so much. I could have stopped so much of it.

My expression fell before I leaned over and pressed a kiss to her temple. "I'm so proud of you," I whispered to her.

She shifted just a little bit in her bed, curling up in the covers, pulling them from the other side of the bed, and cocooning herself in them.

A smile tugged at my lips as my eyes trailed to the picture on her nightstand. The one that Oboro took of...of Mira over 15 years ago. It looked like it was brand new.

It felt like yesterday when we took that picture. Planning our futures. Our agency. Mira would fund it and create it. Oboro took care of building it. I would do the hero work. Hizashi handled the PR and paperwork. We had it made.

Then...Oboro was killed. Our dreams came crashing down. Mira blamed herself. She should have saved him, she thought.

But really, there was nothing that can be changed. What's done is done.

It wasn't long after that we broke up. It wasn't much longer after that when Samiko was born, I realized.

Samiko was a great kid. She was smart, and even, and well behaved. At first, I was wary of raising her-on my own, as a hero-then I realized that Mira had done it. On her own. As a Hero.

That fact alone just gave me a reason to aspire to be like her. She handled so much. I can only try and make it up to her.

I set the picture back down on the table, silently noting the similarities that she and Samiko held-her eyebrows and nose, mostly-before kissing Samiko on the forehead one last time and stepping out of the room.

"Goodnight, my love."

.o0o.