The day the students return is less exciting than I anticipated—especially when a band of movers loudly stomp through the dorms delivering furniture at nearly six in the morning, voices carrying and feet stomping through the halls. It's noisy enough I can hear them even with the pillow over my head.

Sensei is not amused.

The noise lasts for nearly an hour.

I stretch tiredly across the couch, Miska curled on my chest, and watch as he moodily moves about, expression dangerous. My fingers slide through the lengthy kitten's fur, eliciting a loud purr that rumbles through my chest.

How long do you think this will last?

I don't follow that thought, dozing instead, and imagining what it'll be like to live with people again.

I almost wish we weren't.

What if Sensei likes them better? What if he decides he's tired of me? What if I hurt someone?

What if Kaito finds them too?

How long do you think they'll last?

I sigh loudly, slowly, and feel my breath rattle in my chest. Some of the brittle energy leaves and I do it again, a second, third, and fourth time.

"Are you okay?" Sensei asks, his baritone cutting through the calm.

I jump, eyes widening to find him standing beside me with a furrowed expression and hair hanging loosely about his face. Miska annoyed at the disturbance, huffs, rolls on her side, and casts us both a dirty look. I quickly resume petting her, continuing even after the soft rumbles pick up again.

"Rin?"

"Y-Yes, sir," I answer quietly, pushing on a smile. It feels fake, like one wrong move and it'll crumble away.

He frowns, eyes drooping.

"I'd rather you not lie to me," he reminds me flatly, taking the spot by my feet. "Do we need to go over the house rules?"

"No," I grumble, casting the dark-haired man a strange look. Why does he always care? "I'm just thinking."

"About?"

He raises an eyebrow when I wilt.

"Things."

"Things," he repeats. "Please, be more vague."

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"I couldn't tell," he says sarcastically. I frown, but he continues, rubbing his neck with a tired sigh. "You told me you'd try Rin. I'm asking you to do that now. Trust me. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing-"

"You usually spend the mornings eating, texting, and playing. Today you haven't moved from that spot since the movers woke you about twenty minutes earlier than normal. I know you only ate half that bowl of cereal, which we'll discuss later. And now you're over here doing breathing exercises. So I'll ask again. What's wrong?"

I don't meet his eye.

He rests a hand on my knee, it's warm and heavy and so ridiculously comforting.

Was Daddy's?

"Rin."

I peek up at him. He stares tiredly back, unmoved. Patient.

Always unmoving.

He's the only one left.

The only one that kept you.

How long will it last?

"What… What if Kaito comes for them? He… They hurt Mineta. What if he comes for my classmates?"

Sensei breathes deeply and leans back, turning his head away to frown at the wall.

For a moment I wonder if he won't answer.

"Kaito is not their only threat," Sensei says slowly, and my fingers slow through Miska's fur in alarm. "I believe he may not be as attached to the league of villains as we first thought. However, there are endless numbers of people that would love to hurt you and your classmates, and with All Might's sudden retirement, those individuals are only increasing and becoming bolder. The unrest will come to a head eventually and it's extremely probable your classmates will be involved. But worrying about that isn't logical. The only thing you and your classmates can do is train and support each other. As long as you are here at the school, we'll do our best to protect you. But you will need to work to overcome your weaknesses, strive to go plus ultra, and then when your enemies do come, you'll know you gave it your all."

I blink, surprised by his openness.

Surprised that… that his words do make me feel better.

His lip twitches, slipping into that small smile.

"Was that it?"

"I…" I hesitate and then flush. "I haven't lived with anyone since the Last One."

"I'm aware. What about it?"

"What… What if you, what if you like them better?"

"Your classmates?" he asks dryly. I nod and he frowns, looking more thoughtful than annoyed. "I find that highly doubtful. Did Takidori have favorites?"

I nod, lips pressing close as I remember the older woman.

I'd been one for a while.

Until U.A.

"And what happened when you weren't a favorite?"

"She didn't talk to me," I whisper. It was nicer than some of the guardians in the past. It was nicer than Kaito—I break away from that thought and look up at Sensei, feeling my eyes water at even the thought of his cold silence.

I told you not to be passive or they'll think your weak. And getting UA involved? Do you have any idea what they could do? They could take my job and split all of you up? Girl, I know you didn't mean it, but you've gotta be careful what you say.

Now Rin-

Yui-san checks my appearance before I leave. She's cooler than usual, lips bent into a frown, as she makes sure to help me into a bookbag. She has no goodbye as I walk out the door.

Today's the festival…

And?

What, you want us to watch you? You're so full of-

I feel the tears leak over. Sensei sighs, leaning sideways and dragging me into his lap. It's warm, his arms thick and strong as they wrap around my shoulders, the scent of his detergent like a balm to the raw, jagged edges scraping at my insides. Even Miska looks content, despite being jostled yet again.

"That would be classified as abuse," Sensei says darkly, fingers pressing through my hair. "Refusing to talk to you because you don't do what I've asked isn't acceptable. I'm not going to just ignore you, no matter how I feel about your behavior. Understood?"

I nod, resting my head against his chest, and I can feel some of the tension in him relax as Miska stands, still purring, and bumps her head against his chin.

I smile at them and swipe at my face.

"She… She got mad 'cause you called."

"You've mentioned that before," Sensei says, voice taking on a deeper tone.

I shake my head, leaning closer.

The softness of his shirt against my cheek, warm and smooth.

"When... When Shin drew on my shirt and- and you found out. She told me I shouldn't have been so… so passive. That you would take her job and send us all away if I wasn't careful. She said I… She said to be careful what I say."

Sensei's hands tighten against my back and I can almost feel the anger as his jaw clenches tight and his nostrils flare. He takes several breaths before he speaks.

"Passive," he says coldly.

I swallow.

"Y-Yes."

"If she weren't dead," Sensei mutters, before leaning forward and pressing a kiss against my head. I smile in his shirt, his breath hot against my head, and the sensation of peace spilling down my spine. "Rin, I will never hit you, never ignore you, and I will never hold you responsible for crimes committed against you. That's illogical foolishness, but getting upset about it will do nothing. So think about something else. Shinsou should be moved in already, why don't you visit him and Vlad?"

I blink.

"I… I can?"

Sensei snorts.

"Yes, Rin. Text Shinsou to ask if he'd like any help unpacking."

My skin sears even as it illuminates, my hair parting for glowing cat ears and fireflies flickering across my vision. Forgetting about Miska, I circle my arms around Sensei's neck and kiss his cheek.

"Th-Thank you!"

Miska yowls as she's caught between us. Sensei, just as surprised, makes a noise too. I don't bother to consider it. Instead, I let go, allowing the kitten to race away, and roll off his lap, rushing to my room to get my phone and change.

.

.

.

Shinsou makes a face when he meets me at the door. I ignore it, leaping forward and nearly knocking him over. He grunts but corrects quickly and I squeeze his neck, purple hair tickling my nose.

"Shinsou!"

"I just saw you yesterday," he grumbles. "And jeez, will you call me Hitoshi already?"

"I- Sorry! But- But I like seeing you! And now I get to see your room! Is it purple?"

"No," he huffs trying to shake me off. I tighten my grip, giggling when he tries to spin and tickle my sides. "You know just because my hair is purple, doesn't mean it's my favorite color. Black isn't your favorite color. Will you let go?"

"What's your favorite then?" I ask, finally letting go to step back and adding a few extra steps. He's always fussing that I stand too near. Personal space and all that mess.

Sensei doesn't mind.

"Gray," he answers with a smirk, obviously noticing my attempt to respect his 'bubble.' "Why are you here anyway? Aren't your classmates coming in a few hours anyway?"

I blink, ignoring his second question and wrinkling my nose.

"Gray," I repeat. "Seriously? Is that even a color?"

Shinsou snorts and smirks, his normal wiry one that curves up just a little too far on one side.

"Yeah, you got a problem with it?"

"Whatever," I huff, crossing my arms before uncrossing them and locking my fingers behind my back. I grin up at him, unable to help the soft glow on my skin. I'd missed this. "I missed you."

His ears pink near-instantly and he scowls.

"Don't be weird," he grumbles, reaching out and pushing me inside. I giggle and stumble ahead, already glancing around curiously. It's just like ours, with green furniture and tan walls and silver appliances. Even the lights and windows are all the same. Except, unlike our empty dorm, 1B teems with life. Several students congregate on the furniture and Vlad-sensei takes up his own couch, dressed in the red of his hero costume with what looks like a bulldog on his lap.

The dog turns towards us and lets out a loud bark.

I still, muscles locking in surprise.

"Hiro?"

"Vlad-sensei, Rin-chan's here," Shinsou says, stepping fearlessly forward and leaning against the back of his couch. The dog peers around the purple-haired boy, watching me curiously, and Vlad's overly large face breaks out in a grin when he turns as well.

"Rin-chan? Heh! It is you! Come here and give me a hug kid! I haven't seen you since that shit show at the summer camp. I'm glad to see you're in one piece."

The summer camp is the absolute last thing I want to think about.

But I go to the large man anyways, remembering the large assortment of pictures he kept in his wallet of his daughter as well as the bar of granola he'd offered when Sensei was being an ass. I stop a few steps away though, warily eyeing the dog.

"S-Sir?"

"Don't mind Hiro here, he ain't gonna hurt you kid. Down boy."

My eyes widen when the massive dog wines and plops down, rolling over until his belly and paws are in the air and his tongue hangs out his mouth. I smile and step forward, the blood hero meeting me halfway to pull me over for a hug.

The giant dog watching wags his tail excitedly, the thumping sound loud enough to make me giggle.

"She's wanted to help me unpack," Shinsou says, smirking as he leans forward to scratch the dog's chest.

"Sure kid," Vlad laughs, his voice rough and booming. He leans back and pats my head. "Go hang out or whatever but do try to avoid Monoma-kun if you can. No point riling him up over this little thing. If you can't and he gives you any trouble send him down to me. Y'all got a few hours."

I smile.

"Thank you."

"I heard you turned down living over here," Vlad says grinning. "Can't say I blame ya, family's important, yeah? But just know, your welcome here whenever. Don't be a stranger."

I flush, completely lost for words. Shinsou noticing, snorts, and gestures towards the stairs as I flounder for a second more. A few of his classmates give me curious looks, but I ignore them, hurrying to his side.

You came.

You called.

Shinsou's room is on the second floor.

He leaves the door open when we enter and goes immediately to his bed, two different boxes piled atop the mattress with a corner full of empty ones.

His room, however, is nothing quite like I imagined. It's larger than the one I have in Sensei's apartment, with a balcony door, fridge, and a private bath. The walls, the same tan shade from the rest of the building, are covered in different colorful posters. A woman with gray eyes and dark black hair takes up one, Lady Voodoo. A rock band on another. A poster of the school. All Might…

I glare at the large blue and white figure on his wall, his back broad and his stupid hair slicked back.

"Bastard," I grumble under my breath.

Shinsou's head snaps around, staring at me like I grew another head.

"What did you say?" he scowls.

"Why do you have a poster of him?" I ask grouchily nodding towards the colorful monstrosity. "He's a liar."

Shinsou blinks and raises an eyebrow.

"A liar?"

"Isn't that what I said?" I snap.

"Oi, I don't even know what you're grumpy about! He was the number one hero for ever. He's retired. It's not like he's even a teacher anymore-"

"He lied to me," I growl, crossing my arms.

"If you're going to have a fit because of a poster, I'm gonna send you home. I don't question why you like… Actually, do you even like any heroes?"

"No," I huff, before changing my mind and looking away. I glance curiously at his bike in the corner, the bookshelf full of texts, the weights in the corner, and the large yellow blanket with U.A.'s logo draped across his bed. "Well, besides Eraserhead and Present Mic, no."

"Surprise, surprise," he snorts, pulling out a helmet.

"Oh yeah, well who do you like?"

He spares me a dry glare.

"They're on my walls," he huffs.

I flush, face pinking brightly, and he laughs before turning back to his boxes to unpack. I make a face at his back before shaking my head, watching as he lifts a bicycle helmet from one of the boxes.

"This feels so surreal."

"Me being in your room or you being in the hero program?" I ask, moving towards his bike to stare at it curiously. I spin the wheel inquisitively and blink when the pedals turn.

"Both. What are you doing?"

"Is it hard?" I ask, moving the pedal backward.

"Is what hard?" he asks, getting rid of one of the boxes and hanging up the helmet.

"Riding a bike."

He stills and I frown at his rather strange expression.

"You've… You've never ridden?" he asks.

"No," I shrug. I look at him curiously, not understanding the strange sadness on his face. "Is that weird?"

"No weirder than sitting on Midoriya's lap," he snarks automatically. I glower.

"Hey!"

"You asked," he scoffs lightly.

I suddenly wish more than ever we were in the clearing. I fight the inexplicable urge to shove him to the ground and dig my knee into his back.

.

.

.

Eventually, I return to 1A.

Sensei basically demands it, sending me a text nearly two hours later, with direct instructions to return. I don't want to, and even consider arguing. Curled up on Shinsou's bed (which is the most comfortable bed in the entire world) besides the purple-haired boy and talking about anything is easy. Comforting. Simple.

Instead, I have to spend my afternoon waiting with Sensei on the path to the dorm. I sit defiantly on the sidewalk, pulling at blades of grass and plucking at clovers. I'm not even sure why I need to be here since I already know the rules and we've been living here for a week. But Sensei scowls and adamantly refuses to let me leave, talking some nonsense about solidarity and bonding.

It all sounds stupid to me.

At least the wait isn't long.

I pluck the petal off a weed as Iida shows up and bows excessively to my guardian.

"S-Sir! I-I hope you're doing well-"

"You're too noisy."

I send Sensei a disapproving look (that he completely ignores) and sigh as the scent of exhaust and fresh soap fills my nose.

"Hoki-chan!"

"Rin," I correct absent-mindedly, wondering if it's really worth the effort to stand. I pluck another petal instead and try not to notice the way his lips sink. "Hi."

"H-How are you, uh… Rin-chan?"

"Peachy," I answer flatly, tossing aside the stem and plucking another clover. Without looking, I repeat the expected, "How are you?"

"I… uh, well. Are you really?"

I don't respond.

Sensei clears his throat, and I scowl at his deepening frown. When Iida makes no move to continue the conversation, I give up altogether and just stare moodily out over the grass, letting my chin rest on my knees and my arms on my shins. It was probably a good thing I wore shorts beneath my uniform.

The last time you did that you gave them to Mineta.

Do they even know?

Kirishima and Kaminari arrive next, followed closely by several girls—Mina, Ochako, and Tsuyu.

"Rin-chan! Iida-kun! Man, I guess it's no surprise to see you two here! Hey Sensei!"

"Rin-chan! Iida-kun! Hi!"

I nearly choke when Ochako flings herself around my neck and drags me to my feet, pulling us into a group hug with Iida that ends with my head banging on his rather broad chest. I flush at the breadth of his shoulders, remembering the time I cried there. The way he'd stood there, his face so sincere.

I care.

Idiot.

I scramble away as quickly as possible, face burning, only to bump into Kirishima and somehow wind up under his arm.

"Rin-chan!"

"Kirishima-kun," I mumble, annoyed at the massive grin on his face.

As if he were this excited to see me.

"Man, I'm so glad you're doing better! You had us all worried! I've never seen you that-"

"Kirishima-kun! Don't talk about that!" Mina interrupts, her pink skin dusty in the afternoon sun. She captures me in a hug that nearly knocks me backward and scowls at him as soon as we're righted. "Girls don't wanna hear they look bad!"

I don't, but not because of that.

"Dude! My bad! I didn't mean it-"

"Idiot!" Mina shouts, grinning good-naturedly. Then she rubs her cheek against mine and giggles, much to my chagrin. "Rin-chan, we really are happy you're doing better!"

"Hey, it's Jiro-chan!" Kaminari says, blinking, hands on his hips and waving her over. I blink at the dark-haired girl, having not seen her since the forest.

My chest tightens at the color in her cheeks.

Two bodies motionless in the swirl of pink gas. Pale, sweaty, and chests barely moving. Toru. Kyoka. They look too much like corpses...

Please don't notice. Please don't notice.

Kaito…

"Rin-chan?" Mina asks quietly, her arm still wrapped around my shoulders. I shove it away, shaking as I step away. Overwhelmed and furious and suddenly too much.

He would have killed you.

He would kill them all.

"Friends, Rin-chan? I thought I killed them all!"

"Rin," Sensei's voice carries, the low baritone calmer and so much steadier than I feel. I scowl at him, his dark eyes blacker than the abyss that seems to stretch within me—so deep and unyielding. It feels like one wrong move and it'll swallow everything. "Breathe."

I do.

Deep, steady breaths.

I try to ignore the sudden quiet that descends around us, the eyes I can feel cutting away the layers—they were there. They saw him. They nearly died- he nearly killed them-

"It's okay Rin-chan," Tsuyu says, appearing suddenly at my elbow with too large fingers and wide, bright eyes. "You wanna walk, ribbit?"

I don't.

I want to crawl back in my bed and hide.

I want to sink into the ground and disappear.

I want to cry.

I swipe at my eyes, hating the tears already there. Tsuyu doesn't wait for an answer, pulling at my elbow and steering us away. I breathe as she does, throat aching as it closes around the steady gulps of air.

"I had a hard time after the USJ," the frog girl admits as we walk, the chatter behind us slowly rising back again. "The nightmares were the worst. Have you talked to Sensei?"

I scoff, unable to help myself, and Tsuyu smiles kindly back.

"I'll take that as a yes?"

"All Sensei does is talk," I admit sniffing and scrubbing at my face. "I'm fine."

"I don't think you really are," Tsuyu says tilting her head, her arm still looped around mine and a finger lifting to her chin. "But all of us are willing to help if you want it. None of us know that much about you, but your past sounds really lonely."

I blink, suddenly losing the words I'd tried so hard to learn.

My lip trembles.

Don't cry don't cry don't cry-

"Why?" I manage to rasp, not understanding the strange honesty on her face.

Friends my ass. You're all just classmates. Though I hope you're better than that last set.

I don't learn names.

There's no point when I always leave.

"Because we're your friends!" she says, shrugging so nonchalantly.

I can't stop the quiet sob that cracks in my throat.

"Really Scar-Face? Crying again?"

The voice, so familiar and so ingrained in my nightmares, cuts through the fog of my emotions like a blade—silver and glinting and sharp. I turn at once, eyes going wide at the boy. Spiked blonde hair, an arrogant expression, and the rumpled, untucked uniform blowing in the breeze. Even with his hands tucked in his pocket, he looks as explosive as always, as he did in the woods—hands sparking, expression fierce.

"Hoki, break this ice wall down. We're going to beat this mother fucker's ass!"

"Bakugou," I whisper, whatever's left of my emotional control breaking.

Damn it, Hoki, stop all that fucking crying!

You can't be that close if he's trying to put a fucking knife through your throat-

Man the fuck up!

Bakugou's face.

Midoriya's scream.

I don't remember moving. One moment I'm beside Tsuyu, and the next I'm in front of Bakugou, fingers twisting in his shirt, dragging him close enough I can smell the ash in the air. The heat of his body an inferno, the scowl on his face flickering with surprise.

"You're alive."

My fist slams uselessly against his chest even as my forehead falls beside it. He doesn't move, his body stiff as I try to stop the tears. Shadows leak from my arms and smoke simmers beneath my skin.

"You're fucking late," he snaps suddenly, shoving me back and it's like waking from a terrifying dream. I stare, wide-eyed as he glares. "I've been back. Now stop all that damn crying or I'll beat your ass."

I scowl.

He scowls back.

"You got something to say?"

"Fuck you," I snarl.

"Whatever bitch. And if you see that asshole brother of yours again, you let him know I'm gonna beat his fucking ass. You couldn't have mentioned he was fucking quirkless? That bastard was flying around on a damn jet pack."

I still.

He-

"W-What?"

Bakugou's eyes narrow.

He opens his mouth, but then, looking over my shoulder, he closes it with a snap. Brushing by with a rather vicious shoulder check, he steps around Tsuyu—still standing quietly a few steps away, to go move beside Red.

Sensei catches my eye, lips thin, and I frown, more confused than hurt.

That bastard was flying around on a damn jet pack.

What?

.

.

.

Sensei chastises the class.

I don't listen, Bakugou's words still haunting my mind. So I completely miss the humor in Kaminari's ridiculousness. Instead, I wander around in half a daze, lounging on the living room couch as I'd watched Vlad do in 1B as Sensei disappears into his room.

"You okay Rin-chan?"

I frown at the redundant question and look up to find Momo smiling nervously back.

"You mind if I sit here?"

I shrug and move over, offering her a cushion and blink when Sero comes over as well, taking up an opposite one and leaning back. The new guy, the same one from the file, glances towards us before disappearing back towards his room.

I try not to glare.

It should be Mineta.

"Rin-chan?"

"I'm thinking," I tell her grumpily, crossing my arms and wondering why I didn't just retreat to Sensei's living room.

"About what?" Sero whines, wrinkling his nose. "You've been doing that all afternoon! Rin-chan, you gotta cheer up! You look miserable."

Tail, having heard, leans against the back of the couch and nods, his lips perking in what I think is supposed to be a kind smile.

I sigh and lean forward, wrapping my arm around my knees to stare at both of them hollowly.

"How about a room decorating contest?" Ochako asks, dancing forward to grin at us.

I frown, eyebrows furrowing, at the general excitement that spreads through the room.

"Oh, that sounds like fun! Right Rin-chan?" Momo squeals.

I shrug, curious but unwilling to admit it with so many eyes. A commotion follows that involves what I think is Ochako and Toru forcing their way into Tokoyami's room. I don't enter, though Momo does manage to drag me over, and I eye Dark Shadow warily.

But with the first one seen, I seem stuck on the tour, locked between either Mina or Momo or strangely enough Kaminari or Sero.

Midoriya's room is next.

It's an atrocity.

The sight of so much All Might literally makes me smoke, and the green-haired boy looks terrified when I turn my glare on his bedsheets and posters.

"Someone doesn't like All Might," Kaminari sings under his breath, laughing while the girls poke at the ridiculous number of collectibles.

"He's a fucking liar," I growl, glaring at Midoriya to contradict me.

The green-haired boy swallows and I know he knew.

It wasn't my secret.

And yet everyone but me knew it.

Thankfully the group moves on soon after.

Sparkle's room is a disaster. It feels like my glowing quirk on steroids. Kaminari looks like what I imagine Sensei's room would if he actually liked things—mismatched and bland. Kirishima has a 'den of manliness' or whatever that means and seems more like a gym with a bed than an actual bedroom. Todoroki and Sero's rooms are traditional, and the only normal person in our group seems to be Tails.

"What about your room Rin-chan?" Mina asks, leaning on my shoulder as we finish up the floor.

"What about it?" I ask suspiciously.

"You should show us!" Toru giggles, her clothes swaying in excitement.

"I live with Sensei," I shrug, ignoring the shocked stares and untangling myself from the pink girl. "Actually, it's probably time for dinner. I should go."

"W-W-Wait, still?" Kaminari asks, eyes going wide. "But- But didn't you want your own room?"

"No," I say honestly. "I'd rather stay with him. He's my family now."

A hush falls over the students and I immediately regret my words.

Shoving on a sloppy smile, I bow quickly and disengage.

"T-Thanks, b-but I should go. Good night."

I don't wait for their replies.

.

.

.

Sensei sighs when I all but throw myself in our apartment, closing and locking the door behind me. I lean against the closed door and breathe, feeling all of the agitations leave the moment Miska wraps around my feet.

I scoop her in my arms and flush when I catch Sensei's rather dour expression.

"Why are you so dramatic?" he asks in his most put-upon voice.

"Why are my classmates so touchy?" I hammer back.

He raises an eyebrow and I don't like the rather judgmental look he sends me.

"What?" I grunt.

"I know you're not calling people touchy."

"They're ten times as bad!" I argue, unable to stop an authentic smile at the dinner already prepared and plated on the table. "I would have cooked…"

"You say that, but logically, if you actually wanted to, you'd have been here earlier. Now put her down and wash up. I was about to text you."

I huff and do so, plopping in my seat to eat.

"Why is it always chicken?" I ask him as I take a bite. I think he secretly likes the flavor, he hasn't stopped using the spices since... I make a face. "Sensei, do you know how to cook anything else? You know fish isn't more difficult? Or pork? Or-"

"Swallow your food," he scowls, eye twitching.

I do, drowning a glass of water before setting it down with a thunk.

"Sensei!" I exclaim.

"Rin?" he asks, lip twitching up.

"They did room tours," I tell him, wrinkling my nose. "My classmates are weird."

His eyebrow rises further.

"Tokoyami has a room full of darkness, Midoriya's has a room full of fucking All-"

"Rin," Sensei warns.

"-Might," I continue. "And then Sparkles-"

"Aoyama."

"Has a Ao-who?" I ask, furrowing my brows and scowling. "What?"

"Have you still not learned all of their names?"

"No," I pout. "It's just Sparkles-"

"Aoyama," Sensei repeats.

"Aoyama," I try to remember, though privately I think Sparkles fits better. "Ninja?"

Sensei blinks.

"Ninja," he repeats slowly, far more amused than he should be. "Do you mean Shoji?"

"Spider arms? Covers his face?" I try to make my point by covering my own nose with my hands. Sensei snorts and eats another mouthful.

"Shoji."

"Shoji," I repeat, the name semi-familiar. "And, uh, Muscles?"

"Sato," Sensei huffs, shaking his head. "Do I want to know what you were calling the others?"

"I dunno, do you?" I ask cheekily.

Sensei rolls his eyes and gestures to my food.

"No. Eat."

I do, scarfing down the rest even as I complain about all their strange rooms. Sensei sits back as I speak, sinking down in his chair and watching lazily as I talk. Unlike with my classmates, though, it's easy with him. And when I get to the part about my room, he scratches his chin.

"And?"

"Well, he asked me why I didn't want my own room!" I admit scowling at the idiocy of the question. Though, honestly, I suppose he probably expected it. It is Kaminari.

"Oh?" he asks blandly.

"I told him it was 'cause you were my family."

I don't know what he was expecting, but I don't think it was that.

For a brief second, surprise flashes across Sensei's face followed by a long, blank blink.

"What?"

My chest warms, light fluttering across my skin as I grin unrepentantly at him.

"Tell me again?" I ask suddenly leaning forward. He stares at me like I've grown another head. "I want my- my daily affirmation-"

"You're ridiculous," he snorts, pulling himself up and out of his seat. He grabs my plate and his own before heading to the sink. "I love you Rin."

I squeak, sink down in my chair, and shine.