Dad didn't say anything about my tardiness. I simply got into the car and didn't say a word.

Dad seemed to be doing some reading on his phone, so I decided to do some on mine. Catch up on the news for the first time in a while.

Surprisingly enough, my family was on the front page.

"Ex-Sidekick Shamrock Moving Fashion Line to Musutafu."

"Is Leaving Necessary? Or Kicked Out?!"

"Noraki Aila, Ex-Hero Sidekick Shamrock, Moving HQ."

"Are the press going to be waiting at the airport?" I sighed.

"I wouldn't think so. Prepare for it, though. She had quite the reputation with the press."

And it wasn't a bad one, I knew that much. Back when she was a hero, back when she was a late teen since she quit recently, she and the press were like peas in a pod. She tended to stay away from the matriarchies of the female hero reputation, and I think I did her some good. Kept her away from the drama.

Well, more of it.

She was a pioneer. A young woman with a Television personality, gentle and caring heart, looks that could kill a man, and a very prestigious and successful family to back her motives and movements. After my mom died, I think that Na-Chan wanted to… 'use' Aila for her own gain, as terrible as it sounded.

She transferred her second year into the Hero Course at U.A., and became Pro Hero, then sidekick, Shamrock. She was decent at her job as well.

Then she was injured. Her leg was basically ripped to shreds. She retired quietly, but her presence and absence made a huge impact on Hero Society.

Her quirk was Empathy. Similar to mine, she could read thoughts and emotions of someone by touching (she preferred hugging) someone, and make them feel better for it. She was a fantastic fighter and a great rescue hero. She focused mostly on sexual assault victims and human trafficking survivors.

Ironically enough, Na-Chan wouldn't let her come and see me when I was caught by those villains. It was soon after that she retired, and I went to live with them. After that, She chased her true passion: dancing, and becoming a fashion designer and part-time model. She's been trying to rope me into her little endeavors for a little while.

We got to the airport and I put my phone away. The newscast van in the valet row hinted that we may not be the only people here to greet her.

The driver found a place to park, and Dad and I stepped out, heading to the gate exit where she would be coming out of.

Dad grabbed my hand without my permission, my left hand, but I let it slide. I knew he was nervous, peeved, and prepared for the worst. I was going to stick to his side whether I liked it or not. He did that so I could know my blind side was covered.

"People are probably going to recognize us there, Sami," He said in a hushed tone as we crossed the street into the airport. "No matter what questions they ask you, let me handle everything, okay? Don't say anything to them."

"Answer with 'No Comment?'"

"Precisely."

The doors slid open, and we were right. There was the press, cameras, reporters. Airport security had put up barriers, so they couldn't go just anywhere. Security was watching them to make sure they didn't disturb anyone.

"Chin high," he reminded with a squeeze of my hand. I nodded, fixing my posture.

Confidence. Pride. Regality. I owned this place.

The press surprisingly didn't notice us right away. We went up to the security guard, who held his hand up.

"State your business."

"I'm here with my daughter to pick up someone."

"Who are you picking up?" He asked.

Dad hushed his voice and lowered his voice. "Noraki Aila. She should be landing sometime soon."

"Oh, yeah? That's why they're here too."

"I understand. We're her ride."

"May I see your ID?"

Dad tugged out his Hero badge.

The officer inspected it, then stepped out of the way.

"Ah, Eraserhead. I see. They said you'd be coming. You and your daughter can take a seat over there." He gestured to the seats behind him. Dad thanked him and we sat down. I could hearthe press bustling around even more.

As the minutes passed and the closer we got to her flight landing, the press started getting more restless.

The announcement came over the intercom. I could only hear unintelligible, echoish mumbling.

"Her flight's landed," Dad told me.

I looked at him in disbelief. "You heard that?"

He looked at me in return. "You didn't?"

I blinked. "No?"

He shrugged. "Hm."

I rolled my eyes, looking and watching the people file out periodically. I kept my eye out for Aila.

"There she is."

"Where?"

Dad stood, and I followed, grabbing his hand. Two security guards in black blocked my view of her, but I knew what he was talking about now.

The media started getting restless and cameras were flashing and people were shouting. We approached her first, and I noticed right away that she was not...herself. I knew she struggled with self confidence and depression and things like that, but even now, it was like she hadn't even bothered looking good. Not that she needed to, of course.

Despite that, I called out to her. "Aila-Chan!"

Her eyes caught mine and her face lit up, but she made no effort to run to me. I walked civilly to her, a wide smile on my face.

I bowed respectfully to her, then gave her a big hug.

She hugged me back and kissed my hair.

"You look so pretty today!" She said. "You've grown up so much!"

"Thank you, Aila," I said. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, baby…"

I was surprised she called me that. The only person who called me that was…

Mom…

I pulled away from her and smiled for her. She smiled in return. But I could tell that it was forced.

She stood up and greeted my father, who bowed to her as well.

"Shall we be off?" He said.

She nodded hurriedly. She was trying to hide some tears. But I wasn't stupid. I knew she was upset. She was ashamed. Of what, I still wasn't sure of.

She held my right hand and Dad walked in front of the both of us, through the crowd of media spitting out questions and flashing cameras at us.

Aila put on a charming smile, but waved them off. We had an okay time getting to the car, her security team getting their own ride to where they were supposed to go. Apparently, it was pre-planned.

I got in the back seat with Aila and we drove to U.A.

.o0o.

We got Aila reintroduced to the staff at U.A., but she was already familiar with many of them.

I watched as we left and Nemuri stayed behind with Aila for a moment. She said something in her ear before hugging her close. It looked like Aila was crying, or on the verge of it.

Dad already left for class, instructing me to get Aila settled and go check on the cats. So I waited silently for the girls to finish their moment.

I've never had a moment like that. But that was okay. I was satisfied as of right now. I had my Dad. Even if he wasn't touchy feely like most girls were, I wasn't touchy-feely either.

Aila looked at me, wiping at her eyes. She smiled, and I smiled back.

We walked through U.A. in silence, some of the students (third years mostly) looking at Aila as we walked by. Some of them knew who she was--most didn't care.

I opened the door to the room, being greeted immediately by Sleepy.

"Here we are," I said, picking up the cat.

"Aww, what's their name?" She said with a smile. She patted the longhair's head after letting him sniff her hand. He was really good with strangers.

"His name is Sleepy," I cooed.

She laughed. "Aww...Kawaii!"

I smiled. She seemed like she was doing better.

"Is Princess still here?" She asked.

"Oh yeah," I said. "She's about to have her first litter."

"Oh, how neat."

I set the cat down when he started struggling. The bastard. I took Aila's bag and gestured for her to follow me.

"Wow," she commented, looking at our little house. "You...sure keep this place clean."

I scoffed. "Nah, we just don't have anything to mess up," I laughed.

She laughed nervously behind me.

"I'm...kidding, you know."

"Oh, yeah."

I wasn't lying. We were pretty much minimalists, but it's not super extreme.

"You should see my room," I commented in reference to messes.

"O-okay."

Something was definitely up. She would normally joke back. Not take everything so seriously. Especially when she and I were together. We got along really well most of the time. Now, it was just really awkward.

And I hated it. Whatever happened to Aila-Chan, whoever made her like this, was going to pay dearly. Something that most people don't know is that my middle name might as well be karma. And I will sting back.

I showed her her room, the suite just next door. It had its own bathroom, but she had to come over to our place for the kitchen.

"Oh, wow," she gasped. "How much does this place cost?"

"It's in the deal," I shrugged. "Since dad's a hero and a teacher, U.A. offered dorms on-site for staff. They were able to get me in because he was my legal guardian, and I qualified."

"Are you gonna go to U.A. for high school?" she asked me, putting her suitcase on the bed.

"Yep. As far as I know, I could be starting as soon as next school year. If i get all my paperwork and stuff in on time, of course."

"Oh, wow. You skipped grades? Is that allowed?"

"Is for me."

She chuckled. "You're just that special?"

"I guess I am," I smirked.

She laughed and started sorting her clothes out into drawers.

I sat there, kinda awkwardly just watching her.

"Do you need anything else from me? Any water, food…?"

"Uh, no, not right now. But thank you, Samiko."

"Okay," I said. "When you're done here, I'll, uh...show you everything else, okay?"

"Sounds good."

I nodded and took my leave.

.o0o.

A/N: Should I post my Todoroki x OC story or nah? I have 5ish chapters written out, but I'm debating posting it or not. Lemme know!

I love you all!