Chapter 16: UA Festival

Kold's POV

The day passed by and I'm finally at school sitting in my seat. It really made me uncomfortable because I have been out of class for about a day before the official announcement of having a break after the USJ attack. In other words, it's quite shameful of me to show myself after being absent in class without notice. Besides, I pride myself on having perfect attendance, even in my old school, even if I have a fever or cold, to me, it's not an excuse to be out of school. I may not like school, but I still have to keep my grades up, and not missing once is one of the basic keys to pass.

"Hey Kold, it's been so long after the attack at the USJ. How are coming up?" Yaoyorozu asked, walking to my desk and looking fidgety for my liking.

"…Yeah, I'm good. There's nothing to worry about it" I replied with a forced smile on display.

"Although, I can't help but notice that you weren't there the day after the USJ attack" she pressed on, and I guess she isn't letting up.

"You're not going to let this go are you?" I asked the deputy, and she nods her head slowly. "I just needed a time off, what happened got me thinking and all. Someone… important to me had passed" I said to her with an off smile.

"Oh… I'm sorry to pry, I know it's none of my business to know" she said frantically apologizing for her actions.

"No… but I appreciate the thought of someone knowing, and also the concern" I reassured her, and she finally had a small smile on her face. I guess she was happy to just be of help or something. "And thanks… it means a lot to me with you asking"

"Okay… happy to help" she replied, although I didn't really tell her the whole truth at least someone knows what's going on with my life. It's nice to be remembered and know that someone is thinking about your well-being.

"Who do you think is teaching us today?" Asui asked with her pointer fingers under her chin thinking deeply. If I were to guess, it'll still be Mr. Aizawa, in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he walks in here full of bandages.

"Good morning class" in cue Mr. Aizawa had walked inside the room like any other day, but the difference is that he is mostly covered by bandages as of this moment,

"Mr. Aizawa, I thought you were bedridden for today?" Asui asked, and I was also pretty sure he is too. I didn't really account that my guess had some truth in it, Mr. Aizawa is kind of like the type of person who always shows up no matter what.

"It doesn't matter now, but what matters is that your battle isn't over yet," he said and it made me kind of scared, I just hope it isn't some kind of fight. After the USJ and all, I am pretty much beat up, I don't have the mentality to keep on fighting like the others who are passionate about it. "The annual UA Sports Festival is coming up!"

Okay… now I was definitely suspicious if I have the foresight or something. I didn't mean to guess there is another fighting involved. However, another concerning matter is the kidnapper's demand. 'You have to place in the top 3 during the sports fest, or else'. Those were not the exact words he texted but it's close enough to know that if I screw this up, then consequences are a must.

"Be sure not to slack off with your training. This sports festival could be your breaking point if you have what it takes to be a hero or a not."

"But sir, is it really okay to hold the festival so soon after the attack of the villains?" Kirishima asked with him standing from his seat and leaning against his deck, with a look of both confusions and excitement planted in his face.

"The administration thought that this could also be an opportunity to let the people know that we aren't in any kind of danger at all. That UA has it handled." Mr. Aizawa replied and you can see his eyes slightly in that bandaged covered face of his.

'The school has a point, if we back down know it means that there is really a problem in UA, and I bet the media will go to lengths to bend their stories to get more views and readers in. Talk about being opportunistic, but it is held after an attack just means that it didn't affect the school in any way. It's kind of like ending a story where it's supposed to end.'

"The UA sports festival is one of the most-watched of the country, Olympics are the things of the past nowadays. It's not something that we can call off on the fly. In addition, because of the rampant quirks, the Olympics started to get boring with regular stuff that people didn't enjoy much and in terms of competition UA sports festival is what people seek"

Something came to mind, Alfred said that units rely on the person's imagination for them to live and that most clans were forgotten, not dead. Is it possible that the other clans are still alive somewhere, they're just unavailable as of the moment? 'Maybe, this could be a way to get the entire population interested in Vanguard once again…'

I don't really have much of an idea at this point, but one thing I know though is that if I get other people in the game once again, I can't risk anyone of my units being forgotten when the time comes for me to pass away. 'Okay… that's a scary thought for the future… Anyway, all people die at some point in their lives and I'm just trying to… think of what my future holds for me… yeah, that's it'

My internal conversation really took a turn… but moreover, I am still trying to get other people to recognize Vanguard as a popular game once again. Then, maybe… perhaps… there is a slight chance to get another set of units at my disposal. Vanguard cards are rare nowadays, the manufacturer decided to quit and stop the printing of cards altogether when the populace dwindle. It was all about money during that time, and Vanguard was one heck of a competition, but with the occurrence of quirks, it started to sell few and few, and till eventually, it stopped. Sometimes, I badly want to know who made the cards because I need to meet the person who was the cause of me to have a quirk that actually works.

If you think about it more, if he were to create cards for me… then it means that I have a clear arsenal in my beck and call. All those new units that he has planned, as well as the other cards that have already been forgotten, everything could resurface once again. This means a whole other option for me to help find my mother and I couldn't even ask for the other heroes to search for her. I could just do it myself. Assuming that he/she, the creator, is still alive and well, and is also capable of making another series of cards for me to use. 'All in all, let's hold up on asking for help until all of my options are no more'

"That's right, and heroes all over the nation will tune in and watch. This is the time to be scouted!" I look to see Yaoyorozu has that determined face she has on every time the opportunity to get noticed by top heroes comes to the conversation.

However, I seem to see that two of my classmates are as pumped as her. There is obviously Bakuguo with his deadly face on every time something akin to a competition or a fight comes into the topic. In addition, there is also the student who is just sitting beside me. He looks like he could murder anyone at this moment. I haven't really noticed his deadly glare or face, but I can tell that this event means business to him. Glad that I haven't stood out like the rest of my classmates does, but one, in particular, has their eyes on me. It's Bakuguo, guess he still isn't happy that I took the number 1 spot during the combat exam of the entrance test.

'His goal is to be number 1, and I happen to get that spot from him because of rescue points… it clearly wasn't my fault because I was just only blowing off steam at that moment. But he doesn't know that and now he is on the hunt… and the list says that it's my name'

I really shouldn't have done my best during that exam, but I didn't have a choice. Should I go to him and make amends and explain that I was just doing it for the sake of my mother… Nah… he will gladly kill me if that were to come out.

"It's true that the festival garners top agencies, and that's why the UA sports festival matters." Mr. Aizawa said gaining my attention once again. "If you want to go pro, then this is your chance to be scouted by heroes from all over the nation. 1 chance a year, 3 chances in a lifetime of your high school days. No aspiring hero can miss this festival"

That definitely hit me where it hurt, and it made me think that I wasn't here to become a hero in the first place. I don't have the right to be here… just because I passed the entrance exam doesn't automatically means that I want to be a hero. It's just sickening to me that I am here to save my mom, and my peers are here to fight to become true heroes… In all honesty, I'm quite ashamed to be here… I should already have given my spot to someone who deserves to be a hero but in the meantime. I have to save my mom; I'm sorry whoever you are that is deserving of this spot. I need to borrow this position of yours in the meantime. I just… no…. I need to save my mother if it's the last thing I do.

"That's it, so better prepare. Dismiss" he said ending the announcement and it left others excited and worried, but I was indifferent to it all.

*Lunch Break*

"How about you Kold, are you excited about the festival too?! I bet you could get a ton of heroes' attention" Oujiro said, walking towards my seat while I was handling my books back to my bag.

"Huh? What made you think that?" I asked, I don't really know what the fuss is about my quirk. I know it's strong but the problem is that I am not the one standing out, the units are.

"Come on man! You know all that stuff about summoning units and things. It's bound to get the hero's attention no matter what you do with it" Kirishima said joining the conversation with a big grin on his face.

"Oh… I get what you say, but I'm not doing all the work. The units are, they are the ones that are amazing… not me" I replied with a sheepish smile on my face, and I could also feel a red tingle in my face because of what they said.

"You got your point there, but it's because of you that they have the chance to shine. It's like you're the commander or something" Hagakure came and looks to be like his sleeves were waving by their own because of her invisibility.

"A commander… yeah you could say that, but I prefer the term Vanguard if you don't mind" I replied to her and it made her jump in joy.

"Yes! It's the name of the card game you use to summon! I'm curious though, where did you get them?" she asked and looks to be leaning towards my face for a straight-up answer. "You have got to tell me, I want copies too, I just hope they got cute ones though…."

"Now that you mention it, I heard that the production was shut down because of the lack of attention. However, I was in luck because my parents have their own decks with them. They said it was the greatest thing that happened to them, that is until, quirks started to appear" I said, looking down and scratching my head.

"Ahhh… too bad, but maybe because you are using it they could open it once again!" Oujiro said cheering me up, he must have noticed that it made me upset somehow. I mean, who wouldn't they were once the favorite of the masses but because a flashy quirk came along, it just stopped altogether.

"You said it; imagine if they were still in line, you could have a huge arsenal at your disposal!" Kirishima said pointing at Oujiro to emphasize his point.

"Now that you mention it… my units used to say that they were a lot of clans back in the day. Nova Grappler, Great Nature, Gold Paladin… Aqua Force and more" I said thinking about those clans that have vanished because they were forgotten. However, if I get more publicity in using my quirk through the use of Vanguard cards, I could maybe find some of them stashed away in people's storage spaces.

"Really! Now that's a powerhouse!" Kirishima said while he activated his hardening all of a sudden. "Opps… sorry about that"

"It's good… although she said that clans are similar to humans. They have their own personality if you could say. If I imagine the Nova Grappler clan as a person then you would fit the bill Kirishima" I said to the red hair, which looks at me confusion evident in his face.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Ah, it's because Nova Grappler units are said to be hard and fight the strongest. They put everything they have in any fight they encounter and that they are also full of compassion towards others. They remind me of you, actually" I replied honestly, and thinking back at what Monica said to me. They were really a great clan that lost, but I'm sure wherever they are now, I hope they're happy.

"Really! Now, that's a manly clan!" He replied with another huge grin on his face. 'He sure smiles a lot, he often heads into a battle without a plan, but I'm sure he has the right mindset of a hero'

"Shut up! Your talk about cards is getting on my nerves" Bakuguo yelled in our direction making all of us flinch from his loudness. "If you have time to talk about your cards, then have time to actually be of use when they are summoned. Not like some coward who keeps hiding behind his units like a scared kitty cat! Heck I wouldn't even be surprised if one of your lackeys drop dead because of your incompetence!" he yelled and it immediately shut my mind up.

At that last statement he just pulled, everything was in pure silence. The voices of my classmate dawned on the thoughts that had plagued me during the USJ. The death of a comrade because of me… it was always in my mind that something I did was the cause of his death, and Bakuguo just reminded me of how worthless I am without them.

Half of what he said is completely true… I didn't win my battles; they made me won my battles. It was because of them that I scored high in the entrance exam, and won during combat training. It wasn't my own doing… it was theirs. 'But why does it matter to me anyway… I didn't want to come here in the first place. So, why bother improving…'

'Bakuguo really knows how to speak his mind. However, he must be mistaken because I'm not here to be a hero. I'm just here to save my mother and nothing matters to me at all. I could just hide behind my units, and make them fight my battles.' Those were the thought surrounding my mind as I stood up and bid farewell to the others that I need to get lunch.

"Yeah… meet you there Kold," Oujiro said waving his hand back at me, and I just gave him a slight nod of the head.

I don't know why Bakuguo's statement hurt me. It's not like I'm here to become a hero, so… why does it bother me so much to the point that it frustrates me for being this way. What he said was true… but I am not aiming to be a hero, or be the best fighter… but why does it still hurt when he said I was a coward for not doing anything besides hiding in front of my units to defend me.

With a guilty and confused heart, I was lead to the cafeteria with a dejected feeling all throughout my body. 'It really is eating me up inside… I can't even ask for help, and it is pretty guilty to just be here, especially Class 1-A. They want to become a hero, and I was just lucky enough to have a powerful quirk to get in… it is kind of unfair to others'

"Kold… you can sit here if you like" I heard a soft and husky voice just beside me. I turned my head and it was Todoroki offering a seat beside him.

"… Thank you, Todoroki" I replied sitting beside him and placing my food at the table. However, I didn't have the guts to eat the food here. It made me sick to my stomach of just being here, eating the food that was supposed to be some else's spot.

"What's the matter… does your food look unappetizing?" Todoroki said looking in my direction with a curious gaze on his face.

"No, the food is fine… I'm just not feeling great" I replied with a nervous grin on my face. I can't let other people know what's really going on in my mind. It will make them judge and glare at me for being here.

"If you say so…" he said dropping the subject and continued eating his cold soba.

'Maybe, I should start cooking lunch for myself. If it makes me this guilty and ashamed, I still need to eat my fill' I thought nodding myself at making a way out of this conundrum. With a guilty conscious I started to eat, but as little as enough to not make me feel hungry for the entire afternoon.

Afternoon classes have passed like normal and something unexpected happens after class. It was 1st-year students from every section gathering in front of our class door like mobs and are staring at us.

"What are they doing here?" Kirishima said in surprise.

"There scouting out the competition," Bakuguo said walking up the door like it was not anyone's business that he just made everyone shudder with just his voice. "Now you know what a future pro looks like. You bunch of extras" and what he said made it even worse for everyone in the room.

"Bakuguo! You can't just call people extra for no reason!" Iida came into his side with a chopping hand motion. He kind of looks like a robot too, and to be more accurate he does have a robotic tendency to his persona.

"Yeah, man! You can't let everybody be part of your shitty attitude" Kirishima said aiding Iida's point regarding the matter.

"So, this is class 1-A… I heard you guys were exceptional, but you just sound like an ass. Is everyone in the hero course delusional or just you?" a nonchalant voice said making Bakuguo reveal his exploding personality with a bang and it kind of made everyone freak out.

"He does have a point, you can't just lump everybody as extras. Besides, who says you are going to become a pro hero with that kind of attitude?" I said without thinking about it, and everyone in the room stared at me like I grew two heads.

'Okay… great… me and my big mouth, this is going to be a bumpy ride' I thought freaking out of the matter that I didn't mean to let my thoughts out like that. However, there is no use covering for it now. I said what I said, so, I guess it's better to face it now than never.

"What did you just say, you coward!?" I heard him scream in my direction and it made me slightly flinch from his loud booming voice, much like his explosion quirk.

I clenched my fists; this is not the time for me to back out. I made this mess, so, I better see past it. "I may be a coward in your eyes; at least I have the decency to respect people I don't know. Just like any other heroes would do" I said straight back at him, not giving in to his intimidations.

"It looks to me that the coward is gaining a backbone. When did that happen?" he replied trying to provoke me into punching his face. If I didn't have the resolve to prevent myself from doing so, then we should have already seen a brawl by now.

"You know… when you referred to everyone as extras, does it also reflect back to you?" I asked, equally trying to provoke the easily angered teen, which might be a bad idea, to begin with.

"Kold… are you trying to get on his nerves…" Oujiro whispered in my direction, but I ignored his claim and focus all my attention on the ash blonde student who keeps looking at me with murderous eyes.

"What the fuck! Did you just call me an extra!?" He screamed and was now jumping straight at me and aiming a punch for my face.

I blocked it with both of my arms defending my face. "Remember, you made that conclusion not me, and this right here proves my point about your shitty attitude. You better get your personality in check or else it might bite back against you in time" I said pushing his clenched fist from my arms and grabbing my bag, then walking out of the door not letting anyone stop me from leaving.

"So you think you're better than me! Is that what you're SAYING!?" he screamed at me, while I was almost out of the door. 'Does he really have to be thinking that way…'

"In terms of being a good human being, I say, that I have that one covered. If you are referring to power and quirk… I also have that one in the bag, what do you say… extra?" I asked turning to an already pissed-off Bakuguo, you can clearly see that he is already glaring daggers at me but what I said just now, made it ten times worse.

"You wanna fight, then I'll give you a fight GOD DAMNIT!" he screamed aiming an explosion my way, while I grabbed Issault from my jack pocket.

"That is enough!" Iida came between us before either of us could use our quirk against each other. "This is shameful behavior towards classmates. You both better stop this at once or I'm calling the teachers" he said warning us of our impending doom of facing pro heroes.

"… Got it… sorry about that class rep, if you don't mind I'll be going now" without any delay I have walked out of the room with slow steps.

Once I got out of that room I let a breath that I was holding in during that moment. It was really out of character of me to just confront him like that, but after what he said about me being a coward it hit me in the chest a little too hard. I might as well do the same to him, even if it was only accidental.

'What is wrong with me though… I'm better at controlling myself and be nonchalant about these things. Why start bothering now!' I scolded myself, and sometimes if it gets too hard to bear, I unconsciously pinched myself from thinking back at what I did.

"That was brave of you to talk back to Bakuguo like that…" I heard a voice from beside me and turned to look at the person with wide eyes and see that it was only Todoroki who was walking just behind me.

"You really think so… I never had the backbone to start conflicts like that, but now… I don't know what hit me" I replied in pure honesty. I really didn't know what came over me at that time, but I'm pretty sure that someone needs to let Bakuguo know that he has to get his personality straight if he wants to last long in UA.

'Maybe deep inside, I may be worried about that past friend of mine.'

"You know… under all that brooding exterior you have upfront. You're actually a nice guy to be around, except where you seem to like glare at Midoriya for no apparent reason" I said to the guy behind me, stopping to walk at the same pace as he is.

"…"

"Okay… most of the time"

3rd Person's POV

"Didn't know he had it in him…" the deputy of the class said with a look of shock present on her face. She didn't expect that kind of attitude from some in the class who's always quiet and only speaks when spoken to.

"Hey Deku, is that really how Kold acts? He's kind of scary…" Uraraka asked the person who was standing just beside her and Iida with a nervous look on her face. She didn't quite know how her quiet classmate acts because she didn't have much interaction with him, but witnessing his display of dominance and authority kind of made her reluctant to talk with the person.

"Got to hand it to him, he stands up like a man!" Kirishima said gleefully, and at this moment he was the only one who was happy that one of his classmates had the backbone to talk back to Bakuguo like that.

'Who that hell is that extra think he is…! I'm going to enjoy putting him in his place during the festival' that was the only thought running in the mind of the explosion-quirked boy. 'So, the nerd finally showed his true colors and now the coward is growing a spine… I'm gonna enjoy tearing them down' while he made it out of the room, and the crowd that was growing earlier had suddenly disappeared because of the argument that just occurred.

However, one thought was running in one of the students of the General Studies. 'How come that person bothered defending us from him. Why bother thinking about it though… I'm still going to move up to be part of the Hero Class.'

"I really can't blame Kold for acting like that" Midoriya said gaining the attention of most of his classmates, especially Hagukure who was just standing a little ways from him.

"Ohhh… tell us, tell us!" the invisible girl said full of expectation, she couldn't handle herself from jumping up and down in excitement about his classmate.

"I m-mean, I don't know all the details but he was acting strangely for the last 4 days. It's kind of like he was hiding something… and I'm pretty sure that something is what's making him act like this. The question is what?" he replied with a serious tone lacing his voice.

"Even so, it does not allow him to act badly towards his fellow students," Iida said chopping the non-existent thing in the air. "However, I do agree that there might be a deeper reason for this display of hostility. So, I propose we talk to him about this" he suggested and most of the class weren't willing to talk to him after that display of dominance from him.

"I agree… though it might be best to handle it after the Sports Festival. There isn't much of a time for us to train and improve our quirks and I think by then he'll be more relaxed when we talk to him" Yaoyorozu approved, and that made the entire class focus on the UA Sports festival.

'I know it might be bad of me to suggest such a thing, but clearly, everyone is too anxious to even talk to him… maybe I could talk to Iida about this and suggest that the teachers handle this matter before it gets blown out of proportion' that was what the deputy class rep thought the entire time when everyone in Class 1-A packed their bag to head home.

The others were quiet for the most part because it was unexpected of them to witness one of the quietest classmates they have talked back to the egotistical kid in the class. It also gained the attention of one of the homeroom teachers, unbeknownst to the class Aizawa was listening to the class response towards the other class, especially towards class 1-B.

However, Aizawa did not expect to witness one of his students who he identifies as the quiet and cool-headed one of the class, be that open to hostility towards the tenacity of one Katsuki Bakuguo. It gave him the surprise he unexpectedly needed; his student Kold was hiding some hostility from them. And maybe a little bit of trigger could initiate it to the full max and he can finally see what his student can do when he goes all out.

Aizawa could not help a smirk to muster in his face; the thought to finally uncover one of his students is making him giddy and excited. It was the second most exciting thing to happen during this term, and what he heard from Midnight also raised some red flags. He tried to call Kold's mother through the landlines and all he got was the answering machine, he tried another 3 times but it was proved to be futile. So, it was safe to say that there is something going on, in his student's home.

"I really don't want to resort to using force in gaining information, but it does concern one of my students. So, I guess I could slip this by" Aizawa was not really the affectionate type, but when it concerns his students he could stop at nothing to protect them.

"I don't know what you're hiding Kold, but I will find out. If it concerns what happened during the USJ attack, then I can't help but be involved" Aizawa said looking at the monitors in one of the school's defense security.

He was here to confirm what he heard from his colleague Midnight about Kold, lashing out in the medical wing, when he was still unconscious. He moved the video towards the part where Kold was looking at his cards, and he paused the video when he started to drop the cards and tears were shedding from his eyes.

"Now… what made you cry like this? It couldn't be just because of the USJ… you even revealed that you could heal during that incident. So, why are you upset all of a sudden" Aizawa scanned the paused video from top to bottom and notice something peculiar? He rewound it yet again to the part Kold was looking at his cards, and paused at the moment he dropped the cards.

"Looks like Midnight was right after all that the blank card is what made him upset… but the question is why?" he tried to look at the videos again, but it didn't help them one bit. 'I guess something did happen during the USJ that made him mad like that'

"Maybe I should ask Tsukauchi to give me the whole report of what the students witnessed, especially regarding Kold's perspective of the incident"

Tsukauchi's POV

I had been keeping tabs on what the Class 1-A are doing most of the time, but I guess it's safe to say that everyone in the class is doing fine as it is. Except for one student, "Kold Zyht… report says that he summoned creatures from another place to help him, but eye witness also reported that one of his units was badly hit… and that he also used healing unit to heal the injuries of those who are wounded."

A quirk like that would have already been reported and examined by the government officials, but how come this one slipped past them. There were also video recordings of his accidental use during the attack in a shopping district during the sludge incident, but they are still out of the ear.

Then when Midnight told us that his mother couldn't be contacted, I thought that it could only be that she wasn't present as of the moment, but as of now, there isn't any call from his mother at all. Parents from Class 1-A called in on our department as well as the school demanding to up their game in keeping their sons and daughters safe. However, Kold's parents haven't contacted us once to confirm that nothing severe had happened to her son he kept from them.

'Maybe I'm just blowing this out of proportion… but it does raise some concern' I thought but then a sudden ringing of my phone had buzzed me out of my head.

"Hello, Eraser, what a pleasant surprise to contact me this late?"

"Yeah… Tsukauchi, I need the witness report of my students and everything that has anything to do with the USJ attack" the pro said.

"I can do that no problem, but what for?"

"I just need to look into it, guess you could say I might have missed something regarding my student" he replied, and that definitely made me alert.

"Is there something the matter? I can look into it if you want"

"Nothing… I'll call when I notice something is up but in the meantime can you go to Kold's house and check to see if any adults are available to speak"

"Sure… I'll do that" I ended the call and stood up from my seat gathering the necessary papers I needed to deliver to Eraser, and maybe I could swing by the student's home on the way.

Arriving at the house of one of the UA students Kold nothing was out of the ordinary. We may be getting the wrong message but it doesn't hurt to be cautious when it comes to these students. They are, after all, the future heroes of society.

*Knock*

"Excuse me, Mr. and Ms. Zyht are you there? This is the police, I need to speak a few words with you" I said knocking on the door hoping that someone will happen to answer me. However, there was nothing… It's to be expected but it is pretty late in the afternoon, but I was hoping that someone was home to answer me.

'That's it, I'll just have to try again tomorrow' I thought walking back but a click resounded in my ears.

"Detective! Is something the matter" the student Kold asked peeking through the slightly ajar from his door?

"Nothing at all, I was just hoping to talk with your parents if they are around that is… there are some questions I need for them to answer." I replied to the kid and he looks to be in a panic. 'There is something definitely wrong with him'

"Sorry about that, but unfortunately my mother isn't around at this moment" he replied with a sad look on his face. 'My quirk didn't ring, so that means he is telling the truth but let's pry a little bit more just to check'

"Oh… It's nothing to be sorry about, I was the one who dropped in unannounced. How about this, I'd like to talk to your mother as soon as possible so is there any way for us to contact her?"

"Uhh… is her phone number good? And I can always let her know what you have to say" the kid said heading back inside the house, probably to get the number. "Please come on in"

"That would be alright." I headed inside the home and tried to run my eyes through every detail of the house. The kid probably doesn't know that UA has been contacting her mother for quite some time, especially after the USJ attack. 'Signs have been presented that something is definitely wrong and all I need now is evidence to prove it'

The house looks to be dirty in some spots, and clutters are in some corners indicating that it hasn't been cleaned for quite a while. The room also seems a little dark and cold, but guessing that the kid is in his teenage years it's to be expected. He might be experiencing the emo phase that some teens tend to lean on when hit with puberty.

I took a sit in one of the sofas in the living room, and I can see that nothing was out of the ordinary. Midnight and Eraser might be looking for nothing, the kid shows that he is alright and good, and the only thing that stood out to me is that his mother isn't present at this time. She might have work, but I am pretty sure working hours are over after 5 pm and it's a little over 6 pm.

"Here you go detective," Kold said handing me down a number, I wonder if it's the same one that Eraser and Midnight had called. Better make sure that I can contact her no matter what.

"I don't mean to invade or anything but is there any other way to get in touch with your mother, if on some rare occasion that the number we dial doesn't respond." It might give me away, but if he does avoid the question then it means he is hiding something.

"Can I ask why though, because as of the moment that is the only thing I can give you" the kid answered sheepishly, and it rang true… he didn't particularly answer my question directly, and he did say 'as of the moment' so that entails a lot of things.

"No reason, it's just that in my business it's better safe than sorry if you know what I mean, and coming back here and there could get a little time-consuming" glad that I have practiced a ton of times when a serious situation comes to shove. We are still the police so dealing with negotiations is part of the work.

"I better get going, sorry to intrude," I said standing up from my seat and bowed to respect the hospitality that Kold has given me.

I headed out without much of a word on the way, but something was boggling my mind now. Something definitely doesn't add up with Kold, and it might not be alarming now but it might get to it if we ignore it now.

'I've got to hand it to Eraser and Midnight's instincts, this might be nothing at all and it might not also be a waste of time to look into. The kid is definitely hiding something.'

I had arrived at UA, although it was past working time already I promised to meet up with Eraser and as they say 'always own up to promises'. "Hey Eraser, these are the files that you asked of me to deliver… and about that talk with Kold Zyht, I think you both are on to something"

I just received a nod from the guy, and I guess it was my cue to start talking about what I had figured out with the visit. "At first, nothing seems to be suspicious, but something definitely doesn't feel right about his home. When I got inside, I found clutters and burnt chairs inside and I think he was definitely avoiding my question about how to contact his mother. All he gave me is her number, which I am guessing is the same one you have been trying to call over and over again"

"Seems so… but the question is what is he hiding, or does he have something to hide. I think a thorough talk with the principal and the staff is definitely needed. I'll be in touch if I find anything odd" Eraser said dismissing me and our talk. It might be too little time to talk but I guess you could say that it was all he needed and it was pretty late and I also need to head home to rest. Being a public servant is really hard on the body and mind, but at least it pays well enough to get me by.

Kold's POV

That was really a nerve-wracking experience. It was definitely unexpected. Detective Tsukauchi was really thorough too. I didn't even want him to come in because he might discover something about my mother but not being hospitable could also raise some flags.

I was just glad that I know beforehand what Detective's quirk is. It was during the night where he visited me to get an interview. I know I shouldn't have left unnoticed when I was still hospitalized, but he did get my statement when I arrived home that night.

Although I was still out of it because of Jarren and I'd like to think that I was good at acting at that time. Instead of revealing what happened to Jarren, I diverted the emotion to it being afraid of what may happen in the future. It was kind of like misdirection, I guess I could say I was a natural at it.

I just hope though that nothing gave me away, but who am I to think that. Detective Tsukauchi is great in his job, so he was bound to stumble upon a clue. Heck, I think the last question is enough for him to make a conclusion that I was hiding something.

Oh well, there is no use thinking about it now… and I am pretty sure that they don't have enough information that my mother is kidnapped and they can't have that assumption without having concrete proof to back it up. Besides, all they can get out from me is from the USJ not anything regarding my family because they don't have the authority to investigate me.