I don't know what to think of what I found in Sensei's closet.

I don't think about it.

With only an hour before Sensei arrives back, I put it completely out of my mind.

I have dinner to cook and a floor to mop and sweep and the dishes would need to be washed and...

I head to the kitchen to cook.

.

.

.

Sensei arrives back at nearly a quarter after five.

I notice immediately the moment his keys click in the door, my emotions itching terribly under my skin as I finish rinsing the skillet and shut off the water. I don't even give him time to finish, crossing the space as fast as I humanly can and jerking the door open.

He scowls, keys still caught in the lock and arm slightly outstretched.

Alone.

I don't hesitate, rushing forward and wrapping him in my arms. He huffs, but accepts it, one hand pressing against my hair and the other to my back. I suck in a steadying breath, comforted by the familiar scent.

"Rin-"

"Where's the guest?" I ask abruptly, pulling away to check behind him again. The empty dorm looks just the same with all of its fancy furniture and too nice walls. "I put out three plates! Sensei, how come they're not here yet? Who are they?"

I'd been expecting Shinsou or one of the teachers.

"Aha! I am here!"

I squeak in surprise as Principal Nezu, of all people, appears on Sensei's shoulder with a shout and—and was he hiding in Sensei's capture weapon?

Seriously?

"Uh…"

Sensei sighs.

"Principal Nezu is our guest. Go wash up and we'll discuss it over dinner."

My eye twitches.

"Umm… Okay?" I hesitate still and Sensei raises an eyebrow. The principal drops from his shoulder, relaying using his capture weapon to land easily on his feet and straightening to about my hip.

How did he even hide in that?

Sensei clears his throat noticeably.

I turn and go, shaking my head.

It only takes a moment to wash up and when I return, Sensei and Principal Nezu are both drying their hands. I furrow my eyebrows, taking my seat.

Principal can't reach the sink…

Did… Did Sensei help him?

I try to hide my confusion, quickly filling up my plate and glancing over only when the Principal takes the spot beside me. His offers grin is all teeth, leaving no room for question of whether he was a mutated human.

I twitch.

"Uh… h-hi?"

"Good afternoon Young Rin! I see you've cooked up quite the meal, I'm impressed."

"Oh, uh, th-th-thanks?"

I glance towards Sensei, whose lip twitches. But he ignores us both with a quick itadakimasu. It's the most formal I've ever seen him.

What is going on?

Principal and I repeat it, breaking apart the chopsticks. I jerk when the bear-dog lets out an enthusiastic whine.

"Oh my! Young Rin, this is quite flavorful!"

He must have eaten some of Sensei's vegetables.

I flush, my skin flickering with light, and shyly rub at my neck.

"Oh, right, um… th-thank you, sir."

"Of course. Now, how was your day while we were in our meeting?"

I glance at Sensei again, but he's no help at all.

He just keeps eating, clearly content to stay entirely out of this discussion.

How annoying.

"G-Good?"

"Ah!"

The Principal, unlike my guardian, seems to have no interest in eating in silence. He fills the dinner with what feels like endless chatter, switching from subject to subject with little hesitation. He lectures on the more recent quirk finding relevant in the hero system, offers insights into the different academic halls he's visited last month, and converses excitedly on the diverse activities soon to be available in the dorms. While interesting at first, it quickly becomes background noise when he doesn't slow down, doesn't take a breath, and certainly doesn't modulate his tone.

I feel my attention wander.

Particularly, to the little pink scar stretching across his eye.

Like mine on my arms.

I wonder if it bled when they cut him.

I wonder if he has any brothers?

So I'm completely unprepared when he changes subjects.

"Tell me, Young Rin, are you still interested in being a hero?"

I nearly choke on my water, half-wondering if he'd waited for me to finish my food before he brought it up.

I glance towards Sensei again, but like most of the dinner, he's still not paying attention. Was this his guest or mine? I drum my fingers across my knees, uncomfortable.

"Ummm… yeah? Yes, I mean, Yes sir!"

"Oh?" The Principal doesn't look surprised, but it's kind of hard to tell with all of the fur. He folds his paws on the table, and I notice for the first time just how little he served himself. "Aizawa-kun mentioned the same thing, but I wanted to be sure. You've had a very rough year so far and I have quite a few concerns."

"C-C-Concerns?" I repeat, suddenly less sure about the bear-dog's presence.

At the principal's solemn nod, any remnants of my glow flicker and fade.

"Unfortunately, yes. It leads me to one of the several reasons for my visit. I wanted to hear from you personally if you wished to continue your studies here at U.A.. All of the other students had home visits, so this is partially my attempt to do the same. However, I believe we also need to discuss some of the conditions associated with your continued stay."

That...

That sounds even worse than concerns.

My stomach tightens and I straighten, pulling at my fingers as shadows squirm just beneath the surface.

"Wh-wh-what kind of-of-"

"Therapy," Sensei says flatly, finally speaking up for the first time this dinner. I meet his eye, and he frowns in my direction with an almost too-bored expression. "Breathe Rin. Nothing is being asked of you that I have not thoroughly discussed with the principal. You and your classmates will receive mandatory weekly therapy sessions."

For some reason that is comforting.

I suck in a steadying breath and blow it slowly from my nose. Principal Nezu smiles disarmingly, somehow making himself look more doll-like than animal.

"O-Okay."

"The second condition is regarding your safety," the Principal states, nodding. "It would be best for you to remain on campus for the indeterminate future. We can, of course, revisit this in a few months once we've obtained more data on your brother's status and motives. However, until then, any off-campus trips will need to be supervised by one or more of the heroes."

When Principal Nezu's pause lengthens, I realize he wants a response.

"Y-Yes, sir!" I murmur.

"Good, then that leads me to my last concern! It's not particularly crucial, but I am concerned about your placement in 1A."

M-My placement?

Like he wants me to leave?

I flinch and the little mouse-dog figure pauses, one of his paws reaching up to scratch his chin.

"I… I'm sorry…" I whisper wide-eyed, breath catching in my throat. "I didn't- I didn't mean for Mineta-kun to get hurt- I- I-"

"Principal Nezu," Sensei interrupts, his voice taking on a warning tone even as he gives me the silent expression that means 'breathe'. I do, hands shaking in my lap. "I've already told you it will not be an issue."

"Oh no, I don't think so either. Young Rin, this isn't an attempt to expunge you from the program. I only mean to know if you'd be interested in transferring to 1B with Vlad. Not because of any action of your own, or even on your guardian's behalf. But because of the recent chaos and our own drop in numbers, I have found it necessary to rearrange several students. It would be remiss of me not to offer. In fact, your friend Shinsou Hitoshi was just transferred there today! I merely want your opinion. Aizawa-kun could remain your guardian, but I am offering you the chance to have a separate entity as your homeroom teacher."

Sensei not being my teacher?

I don't even hesitate.

"N-N-No th-th-thank you!"

I don't relax even when the Principal nods encouragingly.

He seems to realize this as well, smiling as he removes himself from the table.

"Very well then! Thank you again, Young Rin, the meal was quite delicious, but it would seem that I've concluded my business here. Aizawa-kun, I will inform the children's housing agency that I completed my observation. You should have the finalized papers by the beginning of next week."

Sensei stands and bows, expression still locked in that weird bored face.

"Thank you, sir."

I hurry to do the same.

"Ah… th-th-thank you?"

Observation?

Was… was this a test?

The mouse-bear grins, his expression flickering again, and he gives a shallow bow of his own.

"Of course."

.

.

.

I clear away the dishes while Sensei escorts Principal Nezu somewhere, feeling as if electricity were running beneath my skin. I nearly buzz with it, scrubbing a little too hard on dishes for what seems forever. I nearly jump when he finally returns.

"S-S-Sensei! What… What just happened?"

Sensei ignores me, kicking off his boots in the doorway and crossing the living room. He crashes on the couch instead, and I pause to blink at what sounds like a relieved sigh.

Was… was he nervous?

I shut off the water, leaving the dishes stacked in the sink, and dry my hands on my shorts as I make my way more slowly towards him. He doesn't look up, his head buried in one arm and the other hanging half-off the couch. Miska, watching him just as curiously, creeps closer as well, eyes on the end of his capture weapon dangling by his hand.

"S-Sensei?"

When he groans, I can't help but frown.

"Sensei, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Do you need anything? I can… I can get an ice pack or the bandages? Do you need the first aid kit? Or your eyedrops? I can get your eyedrops-"

"'m fine," he grunts, voice muffled by the couch.

I wait, still pulling at my fingers, and lean forward to press my face into his back. He doesn't move when my arms wrap around his waist.

"Sensei, I didn't—I don't wanna leave!"

He breathes so deeply I can feel the breath rattle in his chest. He turns then, twisting beneath me until he's sideways with his back against the couch. He tugs me in, and I scramble onto the couch to fall in his arms.

The soft fabric of his uniform slides across the hard planes of his chest, tangling my arms against him, and he holds me there, one hand against my back and the other in my hair. I nearly sigh in relief, the scent of detergent in every breath, the warmth of his presence so close.

"Sensei?"

"You did well," he says, voice thick in a way that makes me pause.

"Sensei?" I venture, suddenly unsure. "Is… Is everything okay?"

"Yes Rin," he huffs, clearing his throat, and I relax at the sheer normalcy of it.

"Why… Why was Principal Nezu here? And… And what did he mean by observation? What was he talking about with Shinsou? Shinsou's in the hero course?"

The fingers in my hair don't pause, and I lean into the touch.

He sighs tiredly, breath ghosting across my hair.

"The meeting today was a smaller version of the entrance exam. We had three positions open. Shinsou is not aware that he received the spot. So I expect you to keep that to yourself. We will tell him tomorrow in person."

I frown.

Three positions…

It reminds me of the files in Sensei's closet.

The files are the last thing I want to think about.

"The… Mineta's spot?"

"His was one of them," Sensei says, voice weary.

I don't know how to respond, so I don't, closing my eyes and soaking in Sensei's physical presence. I don't know why, but like this, it's almost like… it's almost like I can push out all the whispers and thoughts that plagued me while he was gone. Near him, I feel safe.

"What… What about the observation?"

Sensei sighs again, patting the back of my head softly.

"When did you get so curious?" he grumbles. "You were much easier to manage when all you did all day was cry and sleep."

"Sensei!"

"It has to do with your adoption paperwork," Sensei huffs, letting go when I pull away and sit up. With the way his hair falls, I still can't see his face, but he doesn't stop me when I reach out and push it back. He looks funny with his forehead exposed, almost like he does with his quirk active, but less threatening. "It was the final step for getting the papers confirmed."

I stare at his face and frown.

He looks exhausted. Dark shadows under his eyes, stress lines on his forehead, and dry, cracked lips.

"I thought you said the paperwork was already signed."

"It is," he says blandly. "The observation was a formality. There was no point in you getting all worked up over it and you did well."

I pout.

"You lied."

"I did not, it is signed in ink. You're not going anywhere. It was a logical deception."

"That's a nice way of putting you lied."

"If you want to talk so much, we can discuss what you've been doing all day? Or what you were doing the first time I called."

I flush hotly and burrow back into his chest.

"I… I didn't do anything."

"That I very much doubt, especially with how guilty you're acting. If you broke something, I suggest you admit to it now."

I scowl.

"I didn't break anything!"

"Hmmm."

I glare at his chest and push myself off the couch.

"I didn't!"

He meets my eye, lips lost beneath the layers of his weapon, expression bored.

"If I found out you've lied, you'll be writing me an essay on honesty. You didn't do anything at all while I was gone?"

I twitch and scowl, turning away and crossing my arms.

"I didn't do anything really bad," I clarify immediately, and he raises an eyebrow, sitting up and leaning on his arms against his legs.

"And what did you do?" he asks dryly.

"I…"

I mumble and toe the floor, looking anywhere but at him.

"Rin."

"I… I maybe went… I kinda… I… I went into your room."

When he doesn't say anything at all, I cringe and look over, my dark hair spilling into my vision. I stare past the dark curtain of it. He… He doesn't look mad, per se. He gazes back flatly, looking like he'd like nothing more than to just go crawl into bed. I flinch and pull at my fingers.

"And what did you do in my room?" Sensei asks dryly, not moving.

Read your files.

Found your secrets.

There was no way I was saying either of those.

"I… um… well, I nothing really. I-I-I'm sorry!"

He sighs and pushes himself up to stand, one hand moving through his hair to rest against his neck. He walks by, his other arm reaching out, and I flinch again, ready for the anger and shouts.

He just pats my head and sighs.

"Ask next time."

I blink as he stuffs the hands in his pockets and slumps forward.

Then he walks away.

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.

.

That night, snuggled in my sheets, Sensei frowns as he passes my desk, taking in the crinkled pages covered in sprawling writing and trash bin full of wadded-up paper.

"Do I want to know?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

"No," I grumble, even as my mind returns to the words scrawled angrily across it.

Who were the dangerous people you joined?

Why are you after me?

A new one swirls tonight though.

Mama...

I try not to entertain it, shoving it away. Instead, I focus on the paper in his hand, still crumpled and covered in angry scribbles.

"I'm gonna stop him," I admit lowl. I can feel his gaze, but I pointedly don't look, almost afraid of what I'll find there. Disappointment? Anger? Sadness? "I'm gonna get stronger and he'll never hurt anyone again. Not- Not like he did Mineta or Yui-san or- or-"

Or you.

I won't let him hurt you.

I don't say it, but the way Sensei sigh tells me he might understand anyway.

He scratches his neck and, when I do finally look up, casts me an annoyed scowl.

"Your brother isn't worth that much attention," Sensei says, stepping away from my desk and taking a spot on the side of the bed. He leans sideways, eyes drifting towards the photos on the wall. Towards the picture of Yamada-sensei grinning behind me at the park and Aizawa-sensei kneeling down at the baby shower. "You have people that care about you Rin. Don't get lost on the ones that didn't."

I smile. It's watery.

"Like you?"

"On occasion," he huffs, leaning forward and pressing his lips against my head. I can feel the heat of his breath even as he pulls away. "Think about something else, something happy."

I pout.

He grins, that stupid one with all teeth.

"Stop that," I grumble, sinking into the mattress and pulling the sheets to my nose.

He does, though a smaller smile lingers on his face.

"Goodnight Rin."

"Night," I mumble back, smiling beneath the blanket when he stands and turns off the light. Fingering the flashlight, I don't turn it on.