"What happened, Miss Misuzu?"

"You bled out."

"..."

"..."

"...sooo I'm dead now?"

"No, far from it. You bled out, but your friend and Yuiko successfully stopped the bleeding before the medics took you away."

"Did you have faith in him he'd stop the bleeding or something?"

"I did. That boy cares too much about you...and so do the other two." She turned to me with a somber expression. "Speaking of the other two...when will you tell him?"

"Tell who what?"

"Shoto Todoroki, about your relationship with his brother? Shoto has a right to know, Kamilah. It's not something you can continuously hide from him and everyone else."

"It's none of Shoto's concern. What Toya and I have done and still do does not involve him. He was just an abused child who didn't know his left from his right because his father beat the shit out of him for simply not correcting his training."

She frowned, "Listen, I've tried to stay out of your conflicts in your personal life for as long as I've been present to you. But I can no longer stand by and let something bad happen. You just won't let go of your anguish for Shoto. Why is that? Is it because you need a close physical vessel to hate? Or did Jameela engrain hatred in your DNA?"

"I don't hate him and I am not that woman's child. You said so yourself."

"No, I didn't. Spiritually, you are my child. However, her blood still runs through you. If I think it's because of AFO, then I'd be in the wrong to you, and I know for a fact that's not the case because of his Quirk you transformed into your own, Null."

"If stopping my anguish towards Shoto helps those around me...then I will do my damndest to stop acting like a bitch, alright?"

"..." She only sighed.

"What? Is it something in your past that you see occurring with me? Did you hate-...oh, right. I almost forgotten! Mister Yoichi and that man! You never answered me last time. Did either of them do something you hated?"

"...Do you really want to know?"

"Yes. All I've been wanting is answers ever since I met you, but I feel like I'm receiving little pieces of info. If you really want to keep the past from repeating...keep your daughter's soul protected by telling her vessel what to do. Please?"

"...Like how Izuku is to you, Yoichi is to me. The other man you were referring to...was my husband, your soul's father."

"..."

"I was angered at them the last time you were here. My story didn't end well, like the other OFA users so...I held resentment in my heart toward those two for a long time. That's why I was frustrated with your animosity towards Shoto. I didn't want you to end up like me: dead, bitter, and unable to move on."

I remained quiet so she could tell me more, and hopefully, leak something by accident.

"However, they might've redeemed themselves. They made it clear to me that they've been watching you all this time until my meeting you."

"Have you forgiven them?"

"I said, "might've redeemed themselves." This fight...and our tangled past have a long way to go before anyone can be properly forgiven."

"If you don't mind me asking...what did they do?"

She made a look of disapproval before huffing and crossing her arms, "Their offers of me becoming a hero contributed to my death."

"...oh...I'm sor-"

"You were not there. You weren't at fault. Don't apologize for something you were never a part of, okay?"

"...okay," I meekly agreed. "So...what advice do you want to give me?"

"Well, learn to handle your emotions better with Todoroki, you'll eventually have to tell him about your relationship with his oldest brother; the fact that Toya Todoroki is even alive will have a great effect on his mental health so be cautious of how you voice it. Keep a keen eye on Izuku Midoriya, I'm...worried about him."

"Why? Is there something you know that he isn't telling me?"

"Well, similar to Yoichi, he...is quick to do everything on his own and help anyone he can. There's nothing wrong with that, but you have a right to worry about the lengths he'd go to for you...when you asked him if he thought you were "perfect"."

"What you're saying is...that Izuku is borderline insane for me?"

"I wouldn't say that, but more than willing to take a bullet for you if someone pulled the trigger. Noble, but we don't need him joining the rest of OFA users."

"I see...I'll have to speak to him about it. Thankfully, Izuku's easy to deal with."

I looked at the balance scale in the distance, noticing a white full mean gleam on the scale and hourglass.

'He loves me...and he didn't tell me this whole time? I had my suspicions here and there, but I didn't think it was serious. Now it makes sense...why "Kacchan doesn't deserve me".

Izuku Midoriya is jealous of his childhood friend because of how much closer Katsuki can get to me...but the real question is why didn't he say anything about his feelings? I would've solved it...my answer would hurt his poor heart, but I would've properly answered him.

I'll have to talk to him when I regain consciousness.

"Anything else?"

"Yeah. Do you have any info on where my dad and aunt went to?"

"They went to Hokkaido to speak with Xitalit Fujisaki, then to Seoul, South Korea in search for Jindo Fujisaki."

I lifted a brow, "Why?"

"Well, for one...there will be two divorces instead of the one between Xitalit and Jindo. Your uncle, Norio, hasn't been...doing good since finding out about Jameela's abuse. That's why you didn't see him with her at the License Exam, but he did make it to watch you. Second, a lawsuit and conviction of a crime will be filed against Jameela. There's enough evidence to file against her."

"What? I don't understand. She's kept such a tight grip on Hakim and I that we don't have any supple proof of her abuse."

She smirked, "Is that what you think? Kamilah, we live in a world of ever evolving technology that has barely grazed its full potential."

I stared at her, unimpressed, "...Your point?"

"With Yuiko's Redact, Rika's Dreamcatcher, Hakim's Dream Walk, and the technological convenience company, Detnerat, a piece of technology will be created that can put memories and dreams in projection despite the individual not remembering."

"How do we know if that's going to work?"

"It will. The police force would love to get their hands on this so there's a push of marketing to law enforcement."

I laid back on the moonlit cool sand, "And who suggested this idea?"

"Why none other than Norio and Zurui. Norio's new unwell nature is due to pulling every string he can find to grant you and Hakim justice."

"They've been working hard, huh?"

"Yes. They both care and love both you and Hakim. Of course, they have."

"When do you think I'll be able to see him again? And has Hakim seen him since suddenly popping up with Auntie and Dad?"

"I'm unsure when you'll see him again. Norio saw Hakim at the License Exam but avoided him. I'm unsure of the reason why he hasn't talked to anyone besides your father, Yuiko, and Jindo, but as a prior parent, I think your uncle feels like a horrible father and father figure that he refuses to show himself to either of you."

"...oh, Unc..."

"Zurui told me about Norio's current state. He told me he heard the shame and improper care Norio has been dealing with himself in his voice. It was confirmed by me that he's not okay because I feel it in his soul—when you all rejoined at the License Exam."

"...Do you know where he's at? I want to find him, take care of him, and tell him he's not what he thinks he is. I'm the one at fault, I just wanted to protect him and his son."

"Unfortunately...as of now, I don't know. He's not in Iwaizumi, Seoul, or America. And even if you want to, you can't move like how you want to."

"Excuse me?"

"You forget that time passes differently in here. It's been a week since your injury."

"Well, shit...did I pass at least?"

Misuzu kept a neutral expression, "However you go about handling your issues with Toya...are all up to you."


I sat up to look at her with inquiry, but she was gone. The oasis was gone...but the moonlight wasn't gone.

Suddenly waking up in a hospital bed made me feel...hella uncomfortable, achy, sore, and have the great need to move.

"What? Where the hell am I?"

As if never injuring myself in the first place, I slid off the bed, looking around the curtain-covered room.

Pulling the curtains apart to see the source of the moonlight, the window was left ajar.

Stepping past the curtains, the blaring sounds of alarms caught me off guard to the point I snapped my head back to see that I was connected to a heart monitor and IV.

Multiple drained bags of blood hung from the pole...so I assumed I lost enough blood for them to pump blood into me.

"What's wrong?!" a panicked and...sleepy voice shouted as the curtains behind me were pulled back with force.

Enough moonlight shined for me to make out who the owner of the voice was.

"Y-...you're awake. Th-That's...that's good," he sighed, sounding like he was on the verge of crying.

Oh, my little crybaby of a brother...

I smiled, "Hi-"

Realizing that the alarms hadn't quit blaring and my voice was weak so he couldn't hear me, I lifted my right hand, closing it into a fist.

Immediately, the machine crushed.

"Hi...Izuku."

The viridian had come so far with his emotions because he would've been balling and wailing about my safety.

Glancing at the open window behind him, my smile turned smitten and I got an idea.

Placing my right on my forehead and my left hand over my heart, I slouched my body and feigned distress.

"Oh, my! What ever would I do hadn't you been here to save me, young hero! Please, tell me you've come to be this distressed damsel's aid on this moonlit night?!"

Bright agitating lights turned out

"Actually, no. We were already here..." said a calm voice behind the front curtain of the bed. "Waiting for her to become distressed," Shoto slid the curtain to the side, revealing himself and the truth.

My eyes bugged out and I dropped the entertaining act.

"What...are you doing here? No, better yet, where am I—we?"

"In Recovery Girl's office. A makeshift hospital room was made for you. It'd be risky having you in the hospital after having what that impostor pulled before," explained Katsuki, who pushed Izuku to the side to look at me.

I frowned, "I understand your concern about my safety, but damn. And who told you about the imposter?"

"The Doc. And I'm not concerned!" Katsuki defended.

"A little late to be saying that considering your actions at the License Exam and afterwards," Shoto mentioned.

Before Katsuki could go off on Shoto, I held my hand in front of him, curious to know what he meant.

"What do you mean? What did Katsuki do?"

"He refused to leave your side even after you were sent back to U.A. with the medics."

I wanted to grin and tease, but I held back so I could question all three of them.

"Speaking of medics, what about my Aunt? Is she okay? And my big bro?"

"Although really worried, both of them are fine. Whenever your brother can, he visits and Dr. Chinen visits everyday," he summarized.

"And d-..." I looked away from him, remembering not to spill anything about Dad just yet.

"Who?" Shoto questioned.

I shook my head, "My...cousin, Furora. She was with me. She's never seen me like that before so she might've been scarred. Was she okay?"

"Shaken up, but her classmates calmed her down."

I sighed in relief, "Good...that's...good."

"Tch, never worry about your damn self. You and this idiot are two peas in a pod," Katsuki nodded off to a nervous Izuku.

"I...may or may not have picked up some of Izuku's habits," I chuckled.

"Another thing, Kamilah. It's about Dr. Chinen...and your mother."

I slowly looked at Shoto, "...Did they...get into it?"

"Something like that. Your mother tried to check in on you...but Dr. Chinen refused because she was panicking. Their argument almost got physical, but thanks to Gang Orca, that didn't happen."

"...okay? And?"

Shoto glared at me, "And I want to know what your Aunt was talking about with Endeavor."

I tilted my head, taken aback by the revelation.

"...She talked to him?" I sat back down on the bed, "...what the fuck, Auntie..."

His glare softened, "You...didn't know?"

I shook my head, "No. I don't know anything Auntie has done since being "absent". She...said she'd explain everything." I frowned, "But if it has anything to do with Endeavor, I want no fucking part."

Katsuki raised a brow, "What are you on about?"

I looked up at him, uncertainty briefly taking over my features before looking between Shoto and Izuku.

"Neither of you...told him?"

"It wasn't his business," Shoto bluntly replied.

"I...wanted to respect your wishes and not tell anyone...including Kacchan," Izuku squirmed uncomfortably

"Tell me what, nerd?" Katsuki rasped, but Izuku kept his eyes on me and he eventually refocused on me. "What do these two know that I don't?"

I twirled my right hand, rolling my eyes up with a smile.

"So basically...his father got my father locked up in Tartarus because my father was trying to "kidnap" me—as you've heard me speak about before. I thought it'd best to keep him being a villain out of it since you're quick to judge. In reality, my father was trying to prevent this shit storm way before I moved here. And Shoto thinks I want it back in blood because of that."

Shoto couldn't even look me in the eyes, "..."

Izuku shifted around nervously, "...Um..."

"...so you're salty-"

My mischievous smile turned into a grin and I pointed at him.

"But wait...there's more..."

Katsuki stared at me in anticipation.

"..."

"...Well?"

My smile turned sweet, "Sorry...but I can't tell you right now. Two people can keep a secret if one of them remain dead."

Katsuki grimaced, "The hell are you talking about? Who are you hiding? Are they a villain?"

"Not a villain, a victim. Like myself...or like how I will be when I die."

"Don't say that!" Izuku intervened.

"We all gotta die one day, Izuku!" I yelled at him. "Just come to the acceptance that this can possibly happen to me! I have!"

He piped down after my outburst.

"Look at me!" I held my hands out, "Obviously, my curse is still here. It's a reminder that she's still out for me. Maybe, just maybe...I will find some closure when I'm done doing what I have to do in the time I remain alive."

"..."

I took in a shaky breath, "Somehow...I feel like it's nearer than it appears to be."

"Enough of that. Back to the current situation, what else did Endeavor do to you?"

I looked away from them all, "I don't expect any of you to understand so there's no point in saying so."

"Well, explain it in detail. Guide us so we can-"

"What would any of you know about real love, huh?" I snapped at them, effectively cutting Izuku off.

"..."

"..."

"That's what I-"

"You don't know what we know," Katsuki challenged.

I knew not to answer it. I knew I would've lost that argument. I knew, and still know, that I am unwilling to accept whatever he feels for me.

I took a deep inhale and slowly exhaled, "I...just don't want to talk about it. Hassling a sick person who just woke up is just awful." I looked at Shoto, "So...what words were exchanged between my Aunt and Jameela?"

"Very...harsh cursing."

"Hm...Aunt Yuiko isn't really one to cuss."

"I used to be a lot worse in my younger days," she surprised us by opening the curtains behind me.

I fell on my back to look at her upside-down form, "Were you there the whole time?! How come I didn't feel-"

"Who do you think is the one who taught that to Hakim, huh? Your uncle?"

I crossed my arms and pouted, "How was I supposed to know that?"

"I don't know. Maybe ask?" she chuckled, then sat next to me. "That's why I didn't rush here...I felt these three's energy as soon as I woke up." She looked at them, "Now...how did you get in?"

None of them answered.

Her eyes looked around, zeroing in on the window. She smirked, chuckling again.

"I forgot to lock it. Oh, well." She sighed and sat next to my head, "Anyway, your brother had to hold me back from kicking Jameela's ass."

"What did she say to you?"

She huffed, "I'm her mother" this, "she's not your daughter" that, and how I'm trying to "prevent her from healing you"."

"So a bunch of bullshit?"

"Yeah...Watch your language. Speaking of language, your...Rui was cussing up a storm after seeing that. He was pissed, and yet again, Hakim was there to calm him down. Rui also said he's sorry he was unable to do anything for you."

I waved my hand, "Tell him I said, "it's okay. I understand his position right now"."

"Noted. And speaking of position..."

A shadow of a card covered the middle of my face. Auntie was holding it over me between her left index and middle finger.

The first thing I noticed was a picture of me, smiling smittenly. It was my school ID picture. The next thing I noticed was the name "KITSUNEBI" before moving my eyes up to the words "Provisional Hero License."

"...eh?"

"This is yours," she informed with a smile.

I blinked, "...I got impaled and was out of commission for the rest of the exam. How?"

"Well, that may be so..." She giggled, "But the examiners determined you were acceptable. You saved Furora, the kid one of the people from the Help Us Company told you about, prior civilians, and others from that falling building. You didn't have to nor did you have the strength to do so, yet you found the willpower to pull that stunt off."

I kept a straight face, "...It wasn't a stunt, it's a move I'm building up to manage so I don't have to bleed everywhere."

"What-"

"And I didn't intend on saving anyone, but Rora." I smirked, "Guess it all worked out though."

"Milah-chan..." Izuku mumbled in a chiding tone.

"What? I'm selfish for the people I care about," I chuckled. "Wonder when you're gonna realize that..."

Auntie tapped the card against my forehead, "Excuse you. Do you not realize how important this is?"

I beamed up at her, eyes sparkling, "That I can commit crimes without getting blamed?"

"Milah-chan!" Izuku shouted, stressed.

I laughed, "Haha! Hehe...I'm kiddin'...maybe—but no, really, how important is this, Auntie?"

"Our family has no choice but to accept you...it was the same with Rui when he became a hero."

"...And?"

"And? That's it. No more worrying about proving yourself to them."

I frowned, "Auntie, I never worried about proving myself to them in the first place. Just because I constantly took the blame for everything I was involved with even though it wasn't my fault...doesn't mean I cared about what they thought of me, i just needed them to think I was the bad guy. All of the family wasn't there when I was drowning. All of the family wasn't there when I was hospitalized and went through therapy. All of the family wasn't there when Hakim made it as a hero. Fuck family."

She glared at the end for my foul language, but she knew I wasn't wrong. The only people that were there for me were her, Hakim, Rika, and Joon. Furora would be, too, if she was living here.

"Anyway..." I bitterly moved on, visibly looking at my license. "I don't know how to feel about this."

"Happy?"

"Mad?"

Izuku and Katsuki looked at each other, one with a sheepish smile while the other frowned.

"A...mix of both, honestly," I sighed, "I'm happy because I might be able to make a change for someone...but I'm mad because I feel as if I don't deserve this; someone else...was meant to earn this."

I closed my eyes, imagining a silhouette of Toya, illuminated in the darkness with blue flames burning from his hands.

I sighed, "...It was supposed to be him, not me."

"What?" Katsuki barked.

I opened my right eye, staring directly at him, "...I have survivor's guilt."

"It's that important person...isn't I?" Izuku asked, knowing he was right.

I closed my eyes again, "Yeah. What happened between me and him...I'm part of the reason why he-"

Auntie placed her hand over the one holding the license, "It's not your fault. You had nothing to do with it. You just...found comfort in him and wanted the best for him, for the both of you."

She held a somber smile, seemingly...oddly all-knowing about this.

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, "Uh-huh..."

"What?"

My mom? She's off her meds. Did you see what she did to Shoto? Not that I'm any better, but she's crazy. She's seeing a therapist...Chin—something.

"How convenient of me to remember something I thought to be mediocre," I hysterically giggled. "It makes sense now...so never mind!" I waved my hand dismissively.

"Alright...but what doesn't make sense...is how you encountered and fought someone in the building at the License Exam, Ami." She looked upset, "What happened while you were in there?"

"So Furora got the message across...good," I sighed in relief. "The fire that happened while Furora and I were in there...wasn't a mistake. To-..." I glanced at the other three curious boys before returning my gaze to Auntie who shook her head 'no'.

"No. No one knows other than Furora, me, and the License Exam administrators," she told me and I nodded my hand in understanding. "Not even the heroes that were present."

I nodded again, "Okay. I understand why...that would cause panic."

"What did...that young girl want?" Auntie carefully asked me.

"The oddest thing...in my opinion. I mean, I don't have any beef with her-" As soon as I finished that sentence, I looked at a baffled Izuku before I turned my attention back to Auntie, "...or maybe I do now. Basically, she asked me...do I had connections with someone, and I told her that's "classified". I'm surprised she gave up that easily...but then she asked me if I...love someone I specifically know. I told her "no" before she asked me do I know why this person loves me instead."

I felt somewhat uncomfortable talking about this in front of the three puzzled boys, especially the emerald green-eyed one.

She quirked a brow, "Love?" Her face turned into a happy, "Someone loves you?! You, Kamilah?! That's great! I'm so-"

"Why do you make it sound like I was a lost cause?! I'm capable of love! Just not this person she asked me about!" I whined.

"Oh..." She blushed from embarrassment, "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean it like that..." She pats my medical trouser-covered thigh, "We'll talk about this later... She narrowed her eyes, "And about your friend that survived that "forest fire"."

I crossed my arms and pouted, "Whatever..."

She sighed, "I'm glad you're safe."

"M-Me, too, Milah-chan!" Izuku included himself. "I was worried about you..."

"Tell me something I don't already know," I chuckled.

"Well...for some reason, your cousin gave me her number. I only accepted it because I figured she wanted to know about your condition."

"..."

"..."

Me and Auntie both snickered...before outright laughing.

"Hahahahahah! I'm gonna fight her! Hahaha!" I laughed.

"The nerve of that girl," Auntie giggled.

"Wh-What? I don't get it! What's wrong?!" Izuku flustered.

"Nothing, greenbean," I told him.

"Greenbean?" Shoto questioned.

"Milah-chan has plenty of nicknames for me...some I don't exactly like," Izuku mumbled.

I sat up, reaching over and squishing his cheeks, "But you are my little green bean, my sweet cinnamon roll, my broccoli boy, my adorkable sweet pea, my Nerdy-Might-"

"MILAH-CHAN!" Izuku exclaimed embarassingly.

"WE GET IT," Katsuki raised his voice. "You're gonna make me puke."

"Is this..." Auntie looked between me and the two boys, "What regular interaction between you, Izuku-kun and Katsuki-kun is like, Ami?"

I looked at her, "Mmhm."

"...okay," she said, committing it to memory. "So you weren't lying during our sessions. It's been a while since we had a proper talk about your mental health so I want to check in with you now while we have the time. I'm relieved you do have honest and healthy friendships."

"We're not friends," Katsuki and I told her simultaneously.

Auntie smiled, "...Sure. What about you and Shoto-kun?"

I looked at Shoto with a disgruntled expression, flicking my eyes up and down before taking in a quick breath, "I'm working on it."

"I'm willing to still be her friend, Doctor," Shoto told her. "I think it's best if I give Kamilah time to herself and think it through. She's...not happy with me as of now."

"...oh..." She looked between him and me. "Ami, is this what I think it's about?"

"About Dad? Partially," I told her before giving her a sharp stare, "You're well aware of what the other part is about."

"...and you honestly think it's Shoto's fault for what he wasn't responsible for? He had no part in that, Ami, and you know it."

"What are you talking about, Doctor?" Shoto asked curiously.

She gave him an apologetic guise, then frowned at me, "I'm aware it's not my place to inform Shoto-kun about what you obviously haven't...and I know I'm in the wrong for not doing so, but isn't there something you want to say to him, Kamilah?"

I glared at the two-toned boy, "...I have nothing to say to Todoroki."

"..." She let out a long sigh. "Let 'em dig their own grave, Yui, dig their own grave," she mumbled to herself. "This isn't progress, Kamilah."

"It's never been progress. It's been a set-up," my sour mood turned into one of delight, "But I'm willing to turn over a new leaf. I've come to an epiphany that I think will work both in Todoroki and my favor."

"...I don't like where this is going," she uttered.

I focused my attention on Shoto, genuinely smiling.

"I want to start over... I've treated you unfairly for years and I want to make it up to you. My hatred for you has morphed into fondness."

"..." Shoto kept a blank expression, "You're not that...simple," he played it safe.

I clapped my hands together, "You know me so well!"

"...Stop lying."

"I will. Sooner or later...you will know me more than you want to know. I want us to be closer, to be actual friends...and I'm willing to make that possible for you..." A gleam shined in my eyes, "On one condition."

He was tense now, "And that is?"

"...I want you to have a front seat to witness my death."

"..."

I made a fox-like grin, "The choice is yours."

"...I-"

"Before!" Auntie cut in, turning to Shoto and putting her hands up toward him for more emphasis, "Before...you accept that condition, I need you to honestly think about that."

"...Are you saying I shouldn't trust her, Dr. Chinen?"

"I'm saying you should be cautious."

He gave her a...look, "...What do you two know that I don't?"

"..."

"Go ahead, Auntie. Play hero. See what happens..."

I couldn't see the look on her face, but her posture sagged.

I took the advantage and preyed on her doubts, "No one's stopping you from saying what you have to say, Auntie. But remember...what happened to the last person in our family who tried to play hero?"

Auntie began trembling, "..."

"She died."

"..."

"Kamilah," he called to me, making me return my gaze to him. "It's okay. Keep it from me."

"Hmmm?" I hummed in question.

"Whatever it is you don't want to tell me...keep it from me. You want to hurt me, right? I'll take you up on your offer because...if you let me, I'll be there with you every step of the way until that time comes."

"..."

"I've known...or been around you for years and I've always been fond of you. I foolishly didn't bother to ask you about your feelings. If this is the price I have to pay for it...and to get to know you while you're still here, I'm willing to take the risk."

"...Perfect," I mumbled with a small smile. "I want you to hurt just as much I've been hurting."

He nodded.

"Milah-chan...this isn't healthy. I told you to put distance between yourselves. Why-"

"Midoriya, this has nothing to do with you," Shoto cut him off. "I appreciate your concern, but this...whatever this is, is between me and Kamilah." As he stood to his feet, he made a rare and tiny smile, "Besides...I know pain."

"Shoto-kun, you-"

He walked over to the door and slid it open, "Dr. Chinen, it'll be alright. Kamilah wants me to understand her suffering. It's only right after neglecting her feelings all these years. I'm a hero in training...we're supposed to sympathize."

Auntie looked defeated when her head fell, "..."

"Tomorrow. We start as "friends"...Shoto," I told him before he hummed in affirmation and walked out.

The room fell silent.

'...This is...great! I can keep hiding Toya's status and Shoto wants me to! Oh, this couldn't have gone any better! I didn't have to physically hurt him nor kill him! Why didn't I think of it before?! Showing better than telling will break him! But...I wonder when that opportunity will present itself...?'

"I'm sorry...you two had to witness that..." Auntie apologized to the two stunned boys. "I'm sure...you've never seen her like that."

I bowed my head, "I'm sorry, too. It's not a side of me I wanted to show either of you. It scares me, yet...I'm greedy for my version of self-justice."

"Fox...I don't care what you and Icy Hot got going..." Katsuki began. "But if I'm dragged into it, it's your ass."

I lifted my head, crossing my arms and legs with a smitten look, "If you think you can't handle the heat, get outta the kitchen."

His stare hardened and he got up to get in my face, "Are you looking down on me?"

"I never said it was. I'm simply giving you the chance to stop being involved with me overall as of now. Kamilah Shimizu will no longer exist to you...she'll be just an extra."

Katsuki glared down at me, "And let you gloat on about your attempt to save me? Over my dead body."

I smirked, "Don't say I never gave you a chance."

He tsked at me, leaned up, and also walked to the door, "By the way, you're not dying until I get my getback on that sorry attempt you call a save. Got it?"

Katsuki, too, left the room, harshly slamming the door.

I giggled, making Izuku jump at my reaction.

"No matter what I do or say...he'll never leave me alone. He can't say I never told him so," I mused to myself as I shrugged, starting to properly lay in the makeshift hospital bed.

"Milah-chan..."

I looked at a disappointed Izuku, "I don't understand the situation fully, but if you do something undeserving to Todoroki..." The abrupt loss of light in his eyes made me alert, "...I'll never forgive you."

With that being said, Izuku bowed his head to Auntie and walked around to exit the room, leaving the two of us in silence.

'Never forgive me... Izuku couldn't bring himself to do that even if he was forced to. That boy likes me too much. He couldn't forgo the feelings of someone he's known longer than the guy he just met and only found out little information about him and Endeavor's relationship. No, Izuku couldn't do that...'o

He wouldn't...right?

"Ami...I hope you're happy with the stress and distance you've created."

"...It's in my blood...and it's in yours, too...second Cursed Child."


"Rui?"

I refocused on the worried little twin-pigtailed girl in front of me.

"Hm? Did you say something, Yui-chan?"

She nodded, "Mm. I was asking you if we could go out and play today."

"You know we can, Yui-chan. What made you think we couldn't?"

"Well..." she looked nervous as she twisted her dress shoe into the grass, "You had a scary look on your face. I wasn't sure..."

I replaced my blank face with a smile, "Oh, sorry about that. I've been spacing out lately. Nothin' to get your pigtails in a twist about."

With that same worried look, Yuiko hesitantly nodded. "O...Okay, I guess. But you let me know if something ever bothers you, okay?!" she confidently asked for confirmation.

I put on a smile for her, "Okay!"

I knew why Yuiko was acting the way she was. She heard rumors circulating in the family...rumors of me possibly being the next cursed child.

When she turned her back for me to follow her to the playground near the lake, a frown replaced that smile, and an unsettling look in my eyes festered. She heard things she shouldn't...didn't want to hear concerning me.

Though keeping that expression, I kept the cheerful tone I only gave her and Norio.

"So what do you wanna do today? Swing or slide?"

She shook her head 'no', "Neither. I was hopin' we could just sit near the lake. It's pretty today! So we should enjoy it!"

"Okay, whatever you say!" I replied as if I wasn't contemplating some controversial thoughts...

Those controversial thoughts are the silencing of anyone who speaks badly about me in front of her. To hell with speaking about me in general, I just didn't want her or Norio to hear it. I didn't want either of them to worry about me.

There are two ways of telling who the two cursed children are: one, they act out from the ordinary of a child, or two, their Quirk shows too early or too late.

I displayed the latter. I'm seven years old...and I still haven't shown my Quirk. At this time, we don't know who the second cursed child is, but we were hoping it wasn't Yuiko. She's all we got to surface-level innocence. And by we, I mean me and Norio.

"Oh, by the way, is Norio joining us today, Rui?"

"I told him about playing today, but you know him...gotta finish his studies before he does anything. That guy needs to learn to loosen up..." I huffed.

Yui giggled, "He's eager to become a hero. Can you blame him?"

"I can't," I sighed. "How can I when that's all that's been drilled inside his head? If we weren't a family of heroes, he'd probably choose something else."

"...Are you saying he's seeking validation from the adults?" she asked, surprising me with her complex words for a 5-year-old.

"Uh, yeah? Hey, when did you learn such big words?" I asked with genuine curiosity.

"I, uh...I might agree with you on what you said about becoming a hero. You see, I went to the library and found a book that was accidentally placed in the kid's section. Something about...sy...sy-ko-logy?"

I stared at her back, blinking. I guess not saying anything made her turn around. Her cheeks were tinged a light pink as she teetered on her tippy toes, creasing her dress shoes.

"Um, d-did I say that right?"

An amused smile graced my face, "Oh...I understood what you said, but it's pronounced psy-cho-lo-gy. Did you read a book with that word?"

She nodded again, "Yeah...to the best of my ability. It was...really good. It gave me things to think about," she said as she smoothed her dress down before hopping on the bench.

I hopped up next to her, "Oh, yeah? Like what?"

Yuiko looked me in the eyes, putting on a serious face, "Like how our family isn't what they appear to be."

I tilted my head, "...Huh?"

She turned her body in my direction, "I figured it out on my own, I know you and Rio want to keep the bad things from me. I...understand, but I don't want any secrets between us. There are already rumors about how you're one of the cursed kids."

"..."

"Am I...Am I right?" she asked with a pouty look.

"...you're smarter than the average child," I sighed as my gaze slowly moved to the lake, not bothering to cover up the truth.

"Which is exactly why I think I'm the second."

My eyes snapped back to her, "What?"

"I think I'm...the second cursed child. I know this is the year I'm supposed to get my Quirk and we won't know yet until it passes, and I know I haven't acted out of the ordinary...but I do believe I am."

"Oh, yeah...? Where's your proof?"

A sudden mature aura replaced Yuiko's innocent and vulnerable look, "We're the family of foxes. We're masters at deceit. I'm no exclusion. I've been pretending this whole time...playing everybody for a fool."

"How long have you known?"

"Sometime after my fifth birthday. Did you see a pretty lady in your dreams, too?"

I nodded, "Same age. She said her name was Misuzu."

"Mm...the one whose name we shouldn't speak because she's supposedly forsaken our family."

"I think that's untrue. Why can't we speak her name anyway? It's not like she's the one who cursed us. It was our ancestors, Juri was the first victim. Her sister lived on to carry the name."

"I agree. Maybe...we should stop having babies? The curse should end with us so no one has to suffer the consequences."

"No, we're not going to let this get the best of us. We shouldn't let this scare us off, we need to fight back...so we can continue living our lives. There has to be some cure to lift the curse..."

"And if not a cure, there should at least be something that can manage it, but what?"

I looked down at the lake, glaring at my reflection in the water.

"How far down the rabbit hole do I have to go to find it?"


"Shimizu."

I opened my eyes, looking up at the worried short girl.

"Hm?"

"Sorry to interrupt, but we need to get going to the sports ground. I don't know if you were listening, but Mister Kan said Principal Nezu has an announcement for all students."

I nodded and got up from my desk, "Fine, fine."

"Are you feeling well? Since you came back to class, you've been a little off. That wound isn't reopening, is it?" she pestered me.

"No. I've just been in deep thought lately." I smiled, "Waking up to a hero license in your face can make reality sink in a little too fast."

She hummed, "Hmm, I guess you're right. You just recovered so I want you to take it easy. Don't push yourself too hard," she urged.

"You got it," I reassured her and followed her out of the classroom.

I looked down at the dark purple glowing veins on my hands and wrists, 'There's...more to Null. That was Dad's memory... Did Misuzu intend to show that to me?'

I feel a hand wrap around my shoulder and pull me close, my eyes widened as I looked at a feral-looking Monoma.

"How could two students of 1-A not pass when our top of the class passed and she was injured in the final phase?! You oughta be ashamed of yourselves," he laughed maniacally.

"Yeah, ashamed!" Tsunotori chirped.

I looked between the two, "What's going on?"

"Were you not listening, Shimizu? Jeez, I understand you're top of the class, but don't let it go to your head. You have a reputation to keep up as Class 1-B's model student!" Monoma declared. "Two students, Bakugo and Todoroki specifically speaking, didn't pass the License Exam! Two of the top students of 1-A not passing?! Isn't that underwhelming?!" he asked, shaking me back and forth by my shoulders.

I was shocked by the news, looking at the class in a single-file line next to ours, searching for the two.

"Really?" I inquired.

"Yes, really!" he crazily claimed.

Once I caught the eyes of the heterochromatic, I gave an unimpressed look once he brightened up at catching my attention.

"Ahaha..." I humourlessly laughed before rolling my eyes, "Almunafiqin."

"I'm not sure what you just said, but...yeah!" Monoma agreed.

My laugh was genuine this time towards his ignorance of what I said.

After all the students were lined up in rows outside, Principal Nezu gave his announcement, addressing the disturbances in our lifestyles and the recent threats to our school.

It may have looked as if I was smiling and chuckling to myself once Mister Kan introduced the barking hero, Hound Dog, but I was laughing at a thought that passed by in my head.

'If not the threat, I am definitely apart of it.'

Hound Dog informs us that we must live our lives in moderation and mentions two students getting into a fight.

'Two students getting into it? I wonder who the two dumbasses were...'


Classes were done for the day.

Second internships are coming up.

Auntie hasn't spoken to me about anything since that night other than during class, I haven't heard from Hakim, and I don't where or what Dad is doing.

I hate it. I hate this. Not knowing anything. Not knowing what to do now.

My shoulders sagged as I let out a deep and aggravated sigh, finally exiting the school and heading back to my dorm.

'Dad said he'd explain everything to me. I would call Hakim and ask him...but I have a feeling Auntie took my phone in her possession when I got injured at the License Exam.'

I fished the card from the inside pocket of my blazer, staring at the hero named "KITSUNEBI" imprinted on the thick object.

"How does anyone expect me to guide if I'm not given a lead?"

"Miss Shimizu."

I stopped walking, looking over my shoulder to find...Principal Nezu? I turned around fully to bow my head and lift it back up with a tilt of my head to express my curiosity.

"Yes, sir?"

"It has come to my attention that you were recently injured in the Hero Provisional License Exam. I'm sorry to hear such a terrible thing happen to you. How have you been doing lately?" he asked as he approached with his hands behind his back.

"Um...better, I guess? I thought I missed a lot while unconscious, but I guess I didn't. I'm glad that I can stay on track," I responded honestly.

"I see. That's good to hear. Walk with me while we talk?" he suggested.

I became rigid, "I'm...not in trouble, am I?"

He laughed, "Nonsense! You're in no trouble, Miss Shimizu, I can assure you that."

"Okay..." I replied uneasily, walking by his side, "Is there some kind of problem that addresses me?"

"Well, yes. Two problems. The first is your family."

I continued walking and looking ahead, deciding to keep my mouth shut to see what else he said.

"It has come to my attention that you're going through a lot with your family. Jindo Fujisaki, a family friend of the Shimizu, visited our school today and informed me that there were some...serious allegations and lawsuits in progress. I wasn't told the details, but Dr. Chinen was there to reassure me he was telling the truth and informed me that you are her niece. I had a feeling there was a connection between you both, but I didn't inquire about it unless I found it to be absolutely necessary."

"..."

"I don't mean to scare you, Miss Shimizu. I hold your best intentions...which is why you will be on leave from the school once the second internship happens."

I looked down at him, "Huh?"

"Your situation requires you to leave school grounds so you can handle your matters at home. Here you go," he held up a white envelope. "I'm unsure of the contents inside, but it's a letter from one of my previous students, your older brother."

I got it from his grasp, looking at the two words reading "For Ami" in cursive.

"What if...my situation extends the longevity of the internship? How will my absence be explained?" I asked him, deciding to open the letter when I got to my dorm.

"I will mark you on leave under a family emergency."

"One last question, sir. Do you know of a Detective Tsukauchi?"

He nodded, "Yes, I know of him. I believe you were questioned by him and Chief Tsurugame after the Hosu Incident. Why?"

We were approaching the dormitory so I made it quick.

"You allowed Mister All-Might to teach here...you had to know about his condition this whole time, right? Is he and/or Detective Tsukauchi another reason why you confronted me today? If so, they wanted you to approach me rather than themselves because of how quick I am to put up my walls. Am I correct?"

"...I see why you're top of Class 1-B, Miss Shimizu. You are quite intelligent, haha," he laughed. "But yes, you are correct, Miss Shimizu. Please, don't throw caution to the wind. We'll keep your status secret and prioritize your safety. And so we don't alarm you, Detective Tsukauchi is working separately from your aunt and Mr. Fujisaki. If he needs information, he'll go to them for it. As for Mister Yagi...or All-Might, he's been wanting to speak to you about something, yet again, I'm unsure of what. When you have the time, please find him and talk to him."

"Trust me, I will, sir," I told him with a tight-lipped smile. "By the way, what was the second problem?"

"Oh, right. This transitions to my other concern. Revisiting what Hound Dog said earlier today...I wanted to know why you're part of the reason that led to a physical altercation between Class 1-A's Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo."

I did a double take at him, "Physical altercation?! That's who the two dum-...I mean, students were? And over m-me?"

"Boy trouble I'm assuming?" he snickered.

I felt my cheeks turn warm, "No! It's nothing like that! We're just-"

"It's alright. You don't have to explain yourself. This is what Hound Dog meant by students living their lives in moderation. Miss Shimizu, you're studying to become a hero...or a psychotherapist which is heroic in its own field. I admire that, but you and other students must remember you're all just teenagers who've barely begun life. Take advantage of your young life while you still have it."

I calmed down, "...Thank you, sir. I'll take your advice and apply it when I need it most."

His advice applies to every day of my shortening life.

Principal Nezu came to a stop some ways from the dormitory. He smiled and waved at me and I did the same.

"I have a good feeling. Best of luck to you, Miss Shimizu!"

'I'll take all the luck I can get,' I thought while walking up the stairs to enter the tall dormitory.


After I took my shower and finished my skincare routine, I took the time to tie my hair into a protective style, eight Bantu knots. I unwrapped my towel and got dressed in nightwear: my baby blue bedroom slippers, comfortable baby blue panties, an oversized white t-shirt reaching my knees, and a white bonnet with baby blue rim.

Instead of passing through the trials of answering my classmate's questions about where I was going, I teleported outside the dormitory and made my way to the nearby one.

As much as I didn't want to...shit has to be settled.

I walked up the steps and knocked on the door three times, placing my hands on my hips and rapidly tapping my foot while waiting for someone to open the door.

The door opened to reveal...no one.

Blinking once, then twice, I put weight on my right foot to lean and see if anyone was inside.

"Hello...?"

"Kamilah Shimizu from Class 1-B...I've had my eye on you," spoke a voice from below so I shifted my gaze down.

My brows furrowed at the purple...grape head, "...Can I help you?"

"No, no, you came here. I think I should be asking how can I help you?" he asked as he wiggled his eyebrows.

"...Yeah, um. Can you go tell Midoriya and Bakugo they have a visitor?"

He looked me up and down, "I rather invite a nice lady of class inside than leave her out here in the cold."

"It's summer," I deadpanned.

"A hot girl summer?" he questioned. "I learned a thing or two about your culture."

I scowled, "Are you insinuating about me because of my skin color?"

"Not at all. I'm just stating the facts about the hot piece of chocolate in front of me. You're a girl of high class so I reserve my gentlemanliness for you." He stared at my legs, "Thick thighs..." he drooled.

"Mineta, who are you out here talking to-"

I looked up from the perverted boy named "Mineta" to...Sero. Relieved to see a familiar face, my posture relaxed and I waved.

"Hey, Sero. I need to talk to Midoriya and Bakugo."

"Oh...okay. Sure. Are you coming in or what?"

I nodded, passing by the stuttering short boy who was complaining about how easily I agreed to Sero's invite.

"She agreed to me because I wasn't being a perverted weirdo about it," Sero reasoned. "Wait here, Shimizu."

Stopping at the entrance, I scanned over the living area, watching 1-A students flock about and conversate.

Again, I caught heterochromatic eyes staring at me. Like in a trance, he stopped whatever he was doing and made his way to me.

A tiny smirk slipped on my face, 'Good boy...'

"So Shimizu..." Mineta regained his composure, "You seeing anybody? Midoriya wouldn't dare date a girl of your caliber and Bakugo knows nothing but brutality. I doubt you'd go for either of them."

"I think of Midoriya as a brother...and Katsuki is just...there. But you know what? I like some...obedient peppermint in my mocha." I hopped over the step and jogged to Shoto with my arms open, "Hi, Sho!"

"Kamilah, what are you-"

"None ya business!" I chirped as I wrapped him in my web, I mean...arms. "Well...we're in a contract, aren't we? So..." I brushed my lips against his ear, "I'm here to talk to Izuku and Katsuki about their little fight. I have a feeling it somehow involved me."

He pulled his head back to look at me, "Did that happen often before you guys came here?"

I shrugged, "If it did, I don't know anything about it. Now that I think about it...how are they interacting? I know you're blunt about the truth."

"They don't speak often between one another despite Midoriya sitting directly behind Bakugo."

"They sit in the same row?!" I exclaimed amazingly. "Without talking...if you can even call it that." I let go of Shoto and pumped a firm fist, "That's progress in my book."

"What is this about, Tape-...Fox?" a suspicious Katsuki looked away from Sero and at me across the room.

"That bad, huh?" Shoto asked.

"Milah-chan!" Izuku shouted, making a bee-line me.

"You have no idea," I chuckled.

Ever since our last encounter, I've been having second guesses about Izuku, what his true intentions are, what Toga meant about his love for me, and if he was telling the truth about not forgiving me.

That's why I can't look him in the eyes right now.

Despite my eyes focusing on the floor, I noticed he glanced between me and Shoto, most likely feeling uncomfortable about the "naturalness" between us.

"You...Why did you come here? Sero said you wanted to talk to me and Kacchan."

I turned around, no longer facing him, "Yeah, I did. A little birdy told me I was breaking up a possible chance of friendship after all these years...and I wanted to address the elephant in the room. Let's discuss it on the front porch."

"Whatever you got to say, say it right now," Katsuki grumbled.

I looked him in the eyes over my shoulder, "Bros before hoes."

He looked taken aback, "Hah?"

"What?" Izuku questioned.

As I turned back, my eyes resumed to the floor again, "I'm saying I know a partial reason for why you both fought. I'm not worth fighting over. I don't care what the details are either."

"What makes you think you have any say in what we do? How do we do it? And why do we do it?" Katsuki challenged. "I don't know who the hell the little birdy is that told you that and I doubt you're gonna tell me. But your name was mentioned, and I stand by what I said and did to the nerd. He feels the same way."

My hands balled into fists, "I should've known...to expect the least progress out of you-"

"I think...what Kacchan is trying to say...is that me and him have a mutual understanding now, Milah-chan."

Despite that catching my attention, I still refused to make eye contact with Izuku.

"Oh...good, I guess."

"Now that you're here, you're gonna start answering my questions," Katsuki affirmed by grabbing me by the shoulder and pulling me close to him by my arm.

He dragged me toward a hallway, making me wonder where we were going.

"Bakugo! What are you doing with Shimizu?! It's almost past curfew to have visitors, much less bring a female into your bedroom!" a tall boy with glasses and...engines in legs reprimanded him.

"Bite me, four eyes!"

Normally, I would react by struggling, kicking, and screaming at him to let me go...but I was surprisingly undisturbed by him taking me to his bedroom...or wherever he was taking me.

When we entered the elevator and the doors closed, he let go of my hand and put some distance between us.

"...What did you want to ask me?"

"Something's been buggin' me since the Kamino raid."

"Well...?"

"Burnt face."

I hid my strain and vigilance, "Oh...you mean that blue flame wielder? Dabi, I think it was. What about him?"

"You did well to hide whatever you were hiding when we were trapped, but I know better. I know you didn't have a bone to pick with him just because he targeted me. He was the one who slipped up..."

I played the fool, "What? What are you talkin' 'bout? Where's this comin' from, huh?"

Katsuki kept his eyes on the door, "He said "A face of the past"?" Katsuki sneered, "You were more than just "a face of the past" with how he was goggling at you...like a piece of meat."

"He...was? I couldn't see with my actual eyes, but I had no idea." I shivered, "You don't think he's into minors, do you? That's besides the point, I've never met him before. I think I'd remember a face like that, don't you think?"

"Kamilah. What did you two talk about?"

"I don't know what you're trying to figure out here, but I'll indulge you. He was just trying to use all my insecurities against me to get me to join the League. I already told Izuku that their boss wanted my Quirk and, for some strange reason, his, too."

I was giddy on the inside, 'In case he goes asking Izuku, he'll just tell him the same thing and that I asked to train with Izuku. It'll all be a confusing circle for Katsuki and he'll give up on this.'

I was getting full of myself. I should've known better. I'm talking to Katsuki Bakugo. The one who never gives up.

"That so? Makes sense now. But whenever you're ready..." He mumbled before leaning off the rail and walking towards the door as soon as the bell rang, signaling for the doors to open.

My eyes stayed on him, hesitating on his words, "Whenever I'm ready, what?"

"To stop being a fucking liar, you'll tell me why you two fought like you were dancing and the reason why you looked so passionate when you "hugged" him to "rescue" me, my ears are open."

The doors opened and he stepped out. The cockiness I felt was pulled from right under me and made me stumble towards the closing doors.

I grunted as I made the doors reopen, pushing my fat past the slowly opening doors and turning in the direction Katsuki walked.

I saw a glimpse of him turning down a different hallway and I ran over to see him continuing his walk to a room.

He glanced at me, "You enter here...you're going to tell me everything even if I have to use your weakness against you."

'Weakness? What weakness?'

I frowned with the little confidence I had left as I made my way to him, "I'm pretty sure you can't."

"Don't tell me what I can't do when you're not sure yourself, Fox," he said as he let me inside the dimly lit room.

The only source of light was the remaining hours of sunlight from its settling. Katsuki brushed past me, not turning on the light, and made his way to what I assumed was his bed. He sat down and I could make out vermillion rubies lingering on me.

"Spit it out."

I crossed my arms, "If I do, what are you going to do? Tell the teachers?"

"Depending on what you tell me, the teachers aren't the ones you have to worry about."

"As if...I have to worry about you," I nervously swallowed, taking careful steps into his room, letting my eyes wander to distract me from his lingering gaze.

"We'll see about that," he stated.

"...The blue flame wielder...or Dabi rather...I didn't know him well-"

His eyes hardened at me.

"Why are you still lying out of your ass? Are you a compulsive liar or somethin', Fox? Why is it so hard for you to tell me the truth? It's obvious, to me at least, that you have a past with Burnt Face."

"Promise me you won't tell anyone about me...about him...about us."

His eyebrows furrowed, "Us?" He straightened his posture, "Oh...it is that kind of relationship, ain't it? Whatever. I promise."

"Dabi and I...have been lovers since we were children. We both come from...abusive pasts. Because of that, our similarities in the things we hated and the people who hurt us, and want for revenge, we built our love off of that."

Katsuki snapped his fingers, "What you just said...I want you to remember exactly what you just said."

I tilted my head and it was time to furrow my brows, "Why?"

"Just rememeber it, dumb ass."

"Damn, okay. I'll remember it. Let me continue?" I asked and he nodded. "I thought I lost him. I still consider myself as part of the reason why I thought I contributed to his suicide. He wanted to become a hero...but as you can see, that didn't happen. He was such a good kid, but his family took that dream away from him. He asked me to run away with him and I hesitated. I regret that I ever did, I regret that I even met him...or maybe my existence in his life didn't matter at all because he'd still turn out the way he is now. The reason why he looks the way he does is because of the drawbacks of his Quirk. All these years, he's been visiting me in the dead of night, comforting me and helping me cope. I thought his growth and his change in appearance were all in my head, too. I thought he was just a conjecture of my brain as a coping mechanism over his death...but he led me to believe he was to...do something, but I don't know what that something is. I don't know what he's trying to do now, though I have a feeling he's about to make good on his promise for us to run away together."

I hadn't realized my gaze fell back to the floor so I returned them to now unreadable vermillion rubies.

"..."

I raised a brow at his emotionless expression, "Questions, comments, or concerns?"

"One of each. Do you still love him?"

"Of course I do. He's my everything."

"..." He sighed, "Run off with him and ignore all your problems like the fox you are if you love him so much."

His remark touched a nerve, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. That's my comment."

"..."

"And my concern is...that bastard seemingly got you nearly killed the last time." He stood from his bed and walked in front of me, placing his just below my breasts, "That scar on your stomach...he caused it?"

I hugged myself, taking a step back from him, "No! He'd never hurt me. That was...from when I chased after him into the forest fire."

"I rest my case," he huffed. "Who's to say he won't get you killed this time with his "runaway plan"?"

"You don't know him like I do!" I defended.

"But do you know him like you think you do?" he countered and took a step forward.

"He's older now...we both learned from our mistakes. I'm sure he knows what to do and he's got everything planned carefully."

"You sound like you don't know that for sure. Whatever you two talked about, he knows what to do but he didn't tell you anything about what he's planning to do."

"...I was so overwhelmed, I just thought about the past and he wanted to clarify his actions, apologize to me for what he did...love on me a little while we had the time."

"For fuck's sake, Kamilah," Katsuki seethed, "See that? That's your damn problem now. So deprived of love and touch, you let that shit consume you as soon as someone notices you weren't given that."

My eyes snapped to him, angered by his accusation. "What would you know about love and touch, huh? You're rough and brutish 24 fucking 7! You don't know all of what I went through, you don't know why I'm deprived, why I am the way I am!"

"Because you keep everything about you a fucking secret! Stop being such a bitchy hypocrite and I might be able to understand!"

"If you stopped reacting like you don't got no fucking sense, I might be able to tell you everything about me, asshole!"

"Just shut up. I need to think," he growled, walking towards the curtains and pulling them to the side.

"We're not done, Katsuki! You wanted to know everything so damn badly! You're gonna hear me, damn it!"

"I said, "Shut up"."

"Or what? Whatchu gon' do? You ain't gon' do nothin' because you know for a fact I'll put you in your damn pla-"

The air left my lungs. My body was swung around and found my back pressed against the cool glass of the door. Katsuki's right hand was wrapped around my neck while the other was balled into a fist next to my head.

"Ah!" I squeaked.

Both of my own went up to the one on my neck, but I didn't attempt to pry them away just in case he tried anything else.

"Let me-"

"What did I tell you?" A small squeeze made the air stuck in my throat.

I fluttered my eyes close, "Mhh..."

"The hell..."

My eyes snapped open, mimicking his wide-eyed stare at my reaction to him "hurting" me.

"..."

"You li..." Whatever he was going to say, he stopped short of it and shook his head, pulling me to the side and sliding the door open. "See, that's your damn weakness."

Twisting around to see him leaning over the balcony's fortified railing. I made dubious steps next to him but kept my distance. I faced my back to them and hopped up, balancing myself so I didn't fall backward.

Taking a glance at Katsuki, I couldn't see his face because he had his arms crossed, resting his forehead on them.

Hesitantly, I gently tangled my left hand's fingers in his hair, softly scratching. I didn't expect him to lean into it.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have provoked you like that."

The quiet between us thickened. I gave him the quiet he needed to think despite being uncomfortable and somewhat afraid of his unpredictability.

It's been so long since we've been alone together like this. So much has been happening that he nor I had the time to spend time in each other's company.

Spend time in each other's company... Is this what's called?

Taking another glance at him, his head shifted to me and I returned my eyes forward back into his dark room.

Quickly searching for my melatonin pen, I fished it out of my bra and placed it between my lips.

I took an inhale, but nothing filled my lungs. Eyes zeroing in on the red light, I clicked my tongue against my teeth. Then, it was snatched from my lips.

I snapped my head back to stare directly into vermilion ruby orbs, the close eye contact made me catch my breath in my throat.

"Whatcha think you're doin'?"

"...I forgot... I'm out anyway..."

His eyes flicked down from mine, seemingly to my lips.

"You need to quit...before it becomes a bad habit."

"Why don't you make me," I talked back with no real venom. I was more breathless if anything...

Katsuki smirked, going in for it...

And I let him. Consciously. No chemical in my body to buffer me.

He angled his head to kiss me deeper and I returned it with as much passion, placing my hands on his shoulders, inching him between my legs.

His hands settled on my doughy love handles, wiggling his fingers into the connecting fupa fat. It felt ticklish.

I refrained from laughing, but Katsuki pulled back, genuinely chuckling at my scrunched-up face from trying not to laugh.

"What? I'm ticklish there," I exhaled.

He pressed his forehead against mine, staring deep into my eyes, "You didn't just come here to talk about me and Deku fighting. I know you know. That extra has a loud mouth."

"...Yeah. I clarified with Monoma." My eyes became serious, "What did you do to not pass the exam?"

He moved his eyes away from mine, "...Not helping "citizens" and "ordering others what to do"."

I frowned, "Katsuki," I chided him.

"I don't need to hear it from you. I got enough already from Aizawa. Would you get off my back if I told you that you were part of the reason why I got a head start in these remedial classes?"

I perked up and leaned my forehead back, "Really? They gave you another opportunity?"

"Me and Icy Hot...regrettably."

"So you two have to work together..." I gathered and smirked. "Isn't that wonderful? This is your chance to actually befriend him rather than fight tooth and nail with him."

"I'm not here to make friends," he reassured.

"You're not here to go back and forth with a girl and get in her personal business either," I countered.

Katsuki was quick to retort, but he stopped himself and seemed to have thought before he said anything. He sighed and refocused his newly softened gaze back on me.

"What? I can't switch it up?" he asked.

I gave him an inquisitively cautious expression, "What do you mean?"

"...As soon as I'm done with these stupid classes, I'll ask you something important. Maybe you'll be ready to properly answer by then..."

I blinked and tilted my head in confusion, "Just...ask me, I can handle it."

"No, you can't. Not right now."

Deciding to respect his wish and not argue with him, I just rolled my eyes.

"Okay." I set them back on him, "Well, I gotta tell you something."

"What?"

"I'm...I'm gonna be gone for a while."

He leaned away from me, skeptically staring me up and down.

"The hell you mean by that?"

"What I mean is...I'm going through some heavy...lawsuits and child protective services. I don't know how long it's going to take."

"...Fuck are you talking about, Kamilah?" Katsuki was getting hostile.

He... doesn't like for me to be away for a long time. It's been apparent this whole time every time he even gets a glimpse at me. I'm the South Pole and he's the North; therefore, we attract each other...somehow. If there was a writer to my story, they're giving me one hell of a guy to be attracted to.

"Don't...explode on me...but I have, of course, been lying to you, Izuku, and Shoto about my...bruises and scratches. Like you've assumed in the past, I've been used and abused by my m-...Jameela. Her actions towards Hakim and I aren't the only things she's done, but there are other things she's done that have yet to be explained to me. From what Auntie suggested, sounds like Jameela committed a crime or two...or several. She doesn't know it yet, but she's got some serious allegations and charges waiting for her." I took in a deep breath, "Basically, we're going to court...and see if she gets locked up or not."

A bit of surprise disappeared as quickly as it appeared on his face, "...It's that bad?"

I sarcastically giggled, "Yeah, apparently, cutting me with knives wasn't good enough for her. Sorry that you can't see a hero in that kinda light."

He grimaced at what I said, "You know I don't mean it that way. What else...what else has she done?"

I'm surprised he hasn't lost his shit yet.

"Ohh, Katsuki...like I said, there's a good handful that hasn't even been explained to me yet. Jameela is not who she makes herself out to be."

He lifted my bangs, gently grazing over the faded scar, "No shit. When will this shit storm blow over?"

"I'm honestly not sure. I'll still be completing assignments from class, just not here. My leave starts when internships begin. What else... Oh, I'm going under physical and mental rehabilitation therapy. With all the trauma, love's got me fucked up...as you can see and hear. I'm going to try to understand what it truly is; it'll help me...determine if Dabi is working in my favor or not. I'm..." My lips trembled, trying to hold back some tears, "I'm gonna get some help, and try to do some healing. Real healing."

His expression wasn't as intense, but still seriously concerned, "...That's good. Take your time."

"I...I wish you could be there...to help me pick up the pieces." The tears shed when I chuckled, "In your own mean way, of course."

"I'm not mean. I tell like how I see it," he chuffed cutely, wiping my tears away with his thumb.

"Maybe..." I slid my hands from his shoulders up to his nape, "When I get back..." I leaned in closer, "I'll be ready for whatever you'll ask me."

He didn't smirk or respond with a cocky remark, but he did lean back into my embrace.

"You better be, Fox."

Our lips locked and it felt so...so good, so relieving.

To think Katsuki could make me feel this way made me not want to push him away anymore.

This is supposed to feel wrong because I'm supposed to be with Toya. He planned our escape, he wanted to take me away from everything...

But I'm still here...and he's not.

Suddenly, I don't feel guilty about what I'm doing anymore and that Katsuki may have been on to something earlier...because I now realize Toya's been giving me sweet nothings, not the promises he told me all those years ago.

I scratched my nails through Katsuki's hair just above his neck, making him groan and slowly pull away to eye me.

"What's with that?"

I tried to catch my breath, "I...Just...thinking about something unpleasant."

"What?"

"...how you could get hurt being involved with me..."

"..." Katsuki stared at me before sliding his hands beneath my thighs and lifting me, making me yelp.

"What the hell! What are you-"

His abrupt turn with me in his arms and walking inside his room to sit down in the middle of the room floor nearly made me fall on him, but he caught me by my waist. I straddled his thighs, leaning over him, and held myself up by placing my hands on his shoulders.

"That's not gonna work on me anymore. You already gave me a chance to back out and I didn't. I still won't. You know for a fact I don't run and hide away. Once I commit to something, I'm gonna see it through. Let me do some of the heavy lifting."

"...What do you want me to say to that?" I obliviously asked.

I expected the angry pomeranian to get annoyed with my question, but he did quite the opposite. A grin slowly slid onto his face and I immediately regretted my decision.

"Oh, I don't know...a "thank you"? Maybe a "you're so kind and I'm grateful to accept your help". Or even a "I'm forever in your debt, Great Explosion Murder God: Dynamight"?"

I blinked multiple times, "Why do I feel like-..." I paused on the smart remark I was going to reply with but I didn't want to spoil the moment.

"Well?" he said expectantly.

I simpered and got close to his face to the point our lips brushed against one another and I gave deep eye contact.

"Thank you, and when I come back, I'll accept your offer...my hero."

I didn't expect Dynaboy to break out in all crimson red.

Raveling in his embarrassment, I gave him a quick peck on his lips and let a chuckle slip from me as I slid from his loosened grasp so I could stand up.

"Now if you'll excuse me..." I turned my back on him, "I have to clear up a misunderstanding."


I nonchalantly peeked my head between the All-Might-themed curtains and looked around the room until my eyes settled on a viridian peeking up at me from behind his phone with wide round eyes.

"..."

"..."

"Am I dreaming?"

"I don't know... Are you?"

He looked puzzled as he set his phone down and sat up from his bed, "I can't tell... It sounds like something Milah-chan would say..."

Izuku's overall posture was drowsy, most likely exhausted from having a lot on his brain from whatever was said between him and Katsuki.

Stepping inside, I decided to play into this and see where it'd take me, or rather, what other sides of Izuku I could see that I don't normally pay attention to.

"Izuku?"

He looked up from his lap and at me, dazed, "Yeah?"

"Do you...like me?"

"Of course I do."

"No, not in that way. I mean..." It bothered me to take advantage of him like this, but I needed to know if Toga was telling the truth. "I mean, do you like me as in do you hold any romantic feelings towards me?"

Despite the seriousness of the question, Izuku tiredly blinked his eyes, processing what I said.

"...I..."

I anticipated and bit my bottom lip.

"...I don't like you..."

The weight in my chest gave way and I released a breath I didn't know I was holding in.

"Oh...that's g-"

"No, "I don't like you, Milah-chan"...is what I want myself to believe," he interrupted. "I'm a selfish person when it comes to her. I don't want to share her, I only want her to look at me," he chuckled. "She might've spoiled me rotten with all the attention she's given me. I want to have her all to myself...but I can't."

I noticed it. He thinks I'm just a part of his "dream". He thinks I'm a conjecture to talk to when he's coping. I know that feeling all too well.

"And why can't you have me all to yourself, Izuku? It's not like I or anyone else is stopping you?" I enabled him.

"Kacchan," he spat as the first sour face I've seen on him raised. "Milah-chan can't see it, but I've seen it this whole time. Even though Kacchan and I have come to an understanding of why All-Might gave me his power, we haven't on Milah-chan. I...lied to her so she wouldn't get upset."

My brows furrowed, "...Why did you lie to me?"

"Kacchan always took from me, boasted about what I couldn't have...who I couldn't have. Ever since we Milah-chan, he's had his eyes set on her and he won't leave her alone until he gets what he wants. It's like a challenge to him...like everything else is."

"A challenge? Am I a prize to be won by him?" I grunted.

"She's always been."

Just when I thought I could let him in...he only sees me as a prized possession.

I gritted my teeth, but kept my calm, remembering why I was here.

"Izuku...why not be selfish? Why don't you tell me how you feel? Just act and not think for once? Regardless of the consequences, I'm sure I'll give you a chance. You won't really know until you try? Just like how you got One-for-All from the hero you look up to."

"...No matter how I look at it, Kamilah will never see me in that kind of light. I'm one of her best friends, childhood friends, and I'm like a little brother to-"

I teleported behind him on his bed, wrapping my arms under his arms and locking my fingers together over his chest. I rest my head on his right shoulder, closing my eyes.

"Don't think about that. You don't know what I'm truly feeling. I may just be hiding my emotions from you. You know how I am. Always a keeper of secrets. You're always trying to help and save others. For once in your life, help save yourself from this anguish and be selfish. Flirt with me. Lure me. Make me burn for you, and eventually, my light will find you and guide you as it has done so since we've met."

"I...I'll...I'll give it a shot."

What the hell am I doing? Truly...I'm a terrible person.

I wanted to protect the innocence I lost...not corrupt it.


A/N:

"Almunafiqin" translates to "Hyprocrites".

I'm most likely gonna have to go through this again and edit, but I wanted to get this out and start the new year off on a good foot. Happy belated New Year to all who read this.

I have a genuine problem with trying to keep Kamilah out of trouble, but I plan to in the next chapter! Like I said before in the last chapter, I'm gonna take Kamilah out of the spotlight for a while. She's being toxic and she needs to sit her ass down, lol.

Also, KatsuKami is confirmed...under the term, "situations" which is "a romantic or sexual relationship that is undefined and noncommital". Even though this has been their whole interaction the entire time, it's just now being defined. I can't wait to explore it and let it grow into an actual relationship! All Kamilah needs is some genuine loving but she's so damn stubborn so she's not gonna make it easy for Katsuki. Over time, I've come to like Katsuki's character. I guess I like seeing growth and positive development in characters because I'm not surrounded by people who do that for themselves. One way or another, there's something in my life that is applied to my stories and it makes me more motivated to write them, no matter how long it takes. Enough about real life, I came here to escape that shit show.

Back to the character's relationships, I never intended for Kamilah to directly "corrupt" Izuku, but I wanted to show just how much alike Kamilah and Zurui are by manipulating people and lying to keep their loved ones safe. I also thought it'd be interesting to see how she could manipulate him because of his adoration for her. Am I going to make Izuku hate her? Look up "Izuku smiling" and look at his face, do you honestly think he's gonna hate her? But trust me, there will be some angsty teen content.

The last thing I wanted to address was Yuiko and Kamilah's interaction when she woke up. Kamilah wasn't threatening Yuiko with killing her when she tried to warn Shoto about Toya, she was using an intimidation tactic by reminding her of the consequences one action can lead to, such as Misuzu taking on OFA, to keep anything bad from happening to her. Simply telling Shoto that Dabi is Toya, Toya is alive, and that Kamilah is romantically involved with him could lead to Shoto doing some out-of-pocket shit that would involve Endeavor. A chain reaction.

I hope everyone who's read this far is enjoying everything. Have a Happy New Year! Plus Ultra!