Hi, everyone! Welcome to Book II of the Mizuki series. I hope you all enjoy this story as much as I did while writing it. Please feel free to review, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Disclaimer: I don't own My Hero Academia or any of its characters. Mizuki, however, is my own creation.

Let's start with the story, shall we?*

Chapter 15

Eijiro finished packing his backpack for the day, crimson eyes making sure that he had his list and wallet were also inside to assure he didn't forget anything. He didn't want to miss anything to take to the training camp.

He was excited to go out with the rest of the class to the mall. It was the second time that everyone came together to hang out. However, this time there were a few individuals that weren't going to join him.

Speaking of which, his eyes caught sight of his phone that lay next to his bag. He hadn't heard anything back from Mizuki yet and he doubted that she even read his messages. He was worried about her especially since he heard that she had a fight with her brother that led to tears.

He recalled what was said to him and Mizuki during the reveal of her new Quirk and frowned. She was frightened to the core about it. he never saw her act like that before and he hoped that being there for her could make it better.

That was why he was finding her through his contacts and pressing the dial button. He pressed it against his ear and pulled a face while staring out of his window. He wanted her to know that he cared.

He was rethinking his actions with each ring that echoed in his ear. He wanted to hear her voice, he wanted to see her lively crimson orbs, he wanted to see the smile she only showed to him and he wanted to be next to her.

He was being ridicules but he couldn't help it. His feelings were definitely not a secret and he only hid them because he knew she was going through a rough time. The chances that she was going to pick up was slim. She was probably busy with designing or resting or-

"Red?" She picked up!

He didn't expect her to pick up and all his words were failing him. What was he going to tell her? Even as he was freaking out, he felt his heart warm at her voice. She only said his nickname and someday he hoped that she would say his name…

"Hey, are you there? Did you butt dial me?"

"N-No! Nothing like that! I meant to call you, you know?" No, she didn't know. This was not good. "A-Ah, anyway! I, um, wanted to ask how are you, but I realize now that it's going to be 'how the hell do you think I am', right?" Eijiro mumbled and heard a chuckle from the other side of the phone.

"Kind of. I'm still breathing, at least. Turns out having something extra to drain your energy is very tiring. What about you?" Mizuki asked and he could hear the faint smile in her voice. She sounded much better than he expected and he couldn't help but smile.

"Much better now that I know you're doing okay," he replied with his smile saddening as he sat down on his bed. "Everyone missed you at school yesterday. They're all worried about their class representative."

"Naturally, I'm gone one day and everyone's probably falling apart. I can't even catch a break," Mizuki stated with a huff. Her usual smug tone was missing in her tone. Eijiro thought back at the previous day and averted his eyes to the ground.

"Yeah, you can say that again." He refrained from telling her about the fight of Bakugou and Shoto. He knew it would only upset her and it wasn't going to help the uneasiness between her and her brother.

"Red, is something wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing! I was only thinking about the training camp and everything! The whole class is actually going to the mall today. We're getting a few things for the training camp. You're welcome to come with if you want to," Eijiro offered despite knowing what the answer was going to be.

"Thanks, Red, but I'm going to have to take a rain check on that one. I don't think it's a good idea to be confronted now. I'm still in a daze about everything," Mizuki replied, her voice hushed at the end.

"You take all the time you need. I'm here for you if you need anyone to talk to, okay? Even if it's about your brother. You can share everything with me," Eijiro offered and briefly heard a sharp intake.

"You heard about that, huh?"

Eijiro let out a nervous laugh, the sound empty. "Yeah, we kind of all heard about it… How are things at home?" He asked and heard Mizuki sigh. It would've only been a matter of time before it came out.

"Tense? Uncomfortable? I haven't talked to Katsuki since then. I don't even know if I can… I hurt him, Red. I was stupid enough to hurt him without even noticing. I'm a terrible sister," Mizuki said and he frowned.

"No, you're not. You're the best sister that someone could ask for and Bakugou knows that. I know that you'll be able to make peace. After all, you're the two scariest and strongest twins of U.A.," Eijiro said and received silence.

"I can't look at him, Red." His eyes widened. "It hurts too much. I want to apologize to him and tell him that I love him. I want to tell him everything about the practical exam. I want everything to be normal again. I hate this," Mizuki's voice broke and he felt a tight squeeze within his chest.

She let out a breath. "I told my parents everything. They've been supportive and nagging to make sure I get in enough rest. Moreover, I had two annoying stalkers standing in front of my house yesterday. Did you have anything to do with it?" Mizuki asked and he blinked.

"Stalkers?"

"I take that as a 'no'. Izu-kun and Shoto came to my house yesterday. I dread what would've happened if my brother found them standing in front of the gate. So much for the mortgage of the house that needs to be paid off," Mizuki said and Eijiro raised an eyebrow.

"Midoriya and Todoroki?" Eijiro asked and then frowned. It never quite registered him before but now it was bothering him. Mizuki called the recommended student by his first name after the internship and yet…she didn't call him by his first name.

"Those idiots… I told them." Eijiro's eyes widened at her words. "They know about everything. I decided to tell them. I trust them. However, I'm not going to tell anyone else. I was serious when I said I want to control this thing first," Mizuki told the male.

He smiled softly and briefly closed his eyes. There she was. It was only a tinge of her that came forth yet it was enough to warm him to the core. His grip on the phone tightened and he found himself yearning to ask her that one question.

How could he? She didn't need that kind of confrontation at this stage. She needed to focus on the training camo and what waited for her there. She had to deal with her relationship with her brother on top of that. He would do it at a time that everything was calmer.

"Nah, Red, this is going to be a stupid request and you're welcome to turn it down but… Can you do me a favour? Can you… Can you keep an eye on Katsuki? You know, since everything's… Can you please be the friend that he needs?" Mizuki asked.

Eijiro laughed lightly at her statement and heard a disapproving sound coming from the ash blonde female. He could feel himself being pulled deeper into the unknown, his entire being filled with a peculiar emotion.

"You're really amazing, you know that?" He said and heard a huff that only made him grin. This was the side that Katsuki didn't see. This was the Mizuki he talked about, the older sister that cared deeply for him. More than he would ever know.

"Red…"

"You didn't even have to ask. I promise I'll be there for…what do you call him again? Explodo-kill? I'll be there for Explodo-kill," Eijiro said and heard a light laugh from the girl. The sound made his grin widen, his heart fluttering.

"You're insufferable, you know that?" She said and he chuckled at the mocking tone. At that moment, both of the teenagers felt right next to each other and simultaneously, they felt the distance between them.

"Well then-""Mizuki!" Her mother's voice reached the male's ears followed by the creaking of a door. "Oh, you're busy. When you're done, can you please come down?" Mitsuki asked her daughter.

"I'll be right down." He heard a grunt and a door closing. "Sorry, Red, duty calls. I'll text you later. Enjoy the trip to the mall and don't buy too much extravagant camping gear, okay?" Mizuki teased and he laughed.

"I can't promise anything. I've had my eyes on a pair of infra-red binoculars ever since I heard about the training camp coming up. Too bad they're insanely expensive," Eijiro said with a sigh and Mizuki scoffed.

"Probably to peek on the girls," Mizuki countered and heard the gasp of horror mixed with betrayal. She chuckled in amusement. "Just kidding, Red, don't go getting a heart attack. Anyway, I have to go. Talk to you later."

"I look forward to it," Eijiro replied and then rang off the call. He grinned as he stared at the phone, feeling energized after talking to Mizuki. She was alright and the excitement to see her again, had him up and ready for the day.

Mizuki stared at her phone, a soft smile on her lips and her pale cheeks slightly tinted in pink. She felt better after talking to Eijiro, more at ease. She answered the phone with the fear that he too was maybe in front of her house and it turned out to be a much-needed conversation.

What an idiot. She thought and stood up from her bed. She was glad that he was excited for the trip to the mall and no matter how much she wanted to join in, she knew it was better if she didn't. She would see everyone soon enough.

Mizuki opened her bedroom door, a hand rubbing the back of her neck. Her mother was most likely going to put her to work to get her a bit out of her room or send her to run errands. The thought made her shake her head. She was fi-

Katsuki stepped out of his room. They both froze up the moment their eyes met, Mizuki feeling the painful ache in her chest much like her brother was. She bit the inside of her cheek, tore her eyes away from her brother and moved without saying a word.

She went down the steps, eyes catching sight of moving figures in the living room. It was followed by unfamiliar voice that reached her ears and her face fell. They had visitors? Surely her mother would tell her if there were visitors. She looked terrible! She couldn't go near anyone right now!

When Mizuki stepped inside the living room, all the chatter and murmur instantly died out. Crimson orbs were wide when she saw Akira sitting on the couch, a police man sitting next to her. Her parents were on the opposite couch, worried expressions on their faces.

"What's going on here?" Mizuki asked, her subconscious alerting her of Katsuki also entering the living room. He was also called here? That was strange. Why on earth would he be called as well? And why was Akira here?

Oh no. They finally caught her. They must've caught her when she hacked into the police system! Damn it, this nerd got herself into an impossible situation. They were probably here to ask her if she knew anything about shared information. It was time to engage girl code.

"Ah, my apologies for the abrupt visit, Mizuki-san, Katsuki-kun. I'm detective Chino, Akira's uncle and this is my partner detective Saiki," the male introduced himself, standing up and holding up a hand towards the ash blonde girl. He smiled kindly as Mizuki shook the uncle's hand.

Renzo Chino
Age: 40
Quirk: Psychometry

"The detectives are here to ask you a few questions about a concerning matter. You can sit down while your mother and I prepare some tea," Masaru said, Mitsuki nodding as they went to walk out of the room.

Mizuki and Katsuki made eye contact again, the torn connection only leaving the yearning behind. They sat down on the couch, each on the far edges and avoided all possible eye contact, the tension high.

Mizuki averted her attention to her friend who was awfully quiet, clutching her clothing and gritting her teeth. She had many unanswered questions that bounced in her head and she honestly hoped that most of them were only speculations.

"Let's get this over with. You're wasting my time," Katsuki snapped at the detective, scowling and crossing his arms over his chest. Despite disliking it greatly to be here for no reason, he was glad to see Mizuki out of her room.

"Yes, I'll cut right to the chase. I don't know if you're aware of the people who have gone missing over the past weeks from the Tokyo High district?" Detective Renzo asked and Mizuki nodded, Katsuki only scoffing and averting his eyes.

"Alright, then I don't have much to explain. We've been trying to track down the criminals and the victims. Unfortunately, we've come up at dead ends so far because most of the victims were all in a sense, small time criminals," he continued.

"What the hell does this have to do with us?"

The detective shifted uncomfortably and frowned deeply. "Yesterday, there was another kidnapping in the neighbourhood of Tokyo High. This time it wasn't another criminal, it was a civilian…a high school student," he said and pulled out a photograph.

The moment he put down the photograph on the small coffee tablet, everything around Mizuki stopped. She could feel only her heart hammering in her chest and her body became cold, enough to make her tremble softly.

It was a photo of Rinako.

"The victim's name is Rinako Hamasaki, age 15. She's a first-year student at Tokyo High with a water transition Quirk. She was last seen yesterday when she and Akira went separate ways on their way home," Renzo informed them.

Katsuki was shocked to the core. This was the airheaded blonde girl who was always sleeping through class. She was part of Mizuki's trio of friends. She and the boy-obsessed-glasses girl that sat across from them were his sister's friends ever since grade school.

"We have footage of where she entered a side street, probably as a shortcut to home, before the rest of it was destroyed. We're trying our best to find any possible evidence and want to know if you know anything about this?" He asked and Mizuki found she couldn't swallow.

"A-Ah… I-I… W-We…" She looked at Akira to try and find her words, the dark-haired female's eyes filled with despair. This couldn't be true. It was all a bad dream. A nightmare. She would wake up and then it would all be a figment of her imagination.

"The last time was a, um, video call w-we h-had in the m-middle of the w-week? W-We were, um, supposed to h-have one b-before I went on my training camp," Mizuki stuttered, barely able to get her thoughts in order.

"I see." He wrote down what Mizuki told him. "Do you know of anything that might help us? Were there any strange people she was in contact with? Did she have any enemies? Someone with a possible agenda?" He asked, his questions throwing Mizuki in a whirl.

"Enemies? No. Agenda? I-I can't think of a-any and she…um…she avoided strangers like a plague without the two of us there…" Mizuki trailed off, her eyes not leaving the photo on the table and feeling panic rise up in her system.

"I don't know shit. Mizuki only talked to them over video call and they go out on stupid karaoke sessions every month," Katsuki told the male when his gaze shifted. This entire situation was a mess and he could see his sister was not taking it well at all.

"They weren't stupid… They were a chance for us to catch up to enjoy and forget about our problems." Akira gritted her teeth. "If you ever had any decent friends then you'd understand, asshole!"

"Akira."

"You think you can say anything you want to, bastard?! You've always got a smart mouth on you! Why don't you say anything about our friend that's missing, huh?! About our friend who might be in grave danger?!" Akira yelled as she stood up, her uncle giving her a warning look.

"Akira, stop it."

Katsuki didn't say anything as he gave the female a steel gaze. She was upset, eyes brimming with guilt. "Don't come yelling at me when you were the one to leave her to go off on her own. That shit's on you," he countered and Akira's eyes widened, the words hitting her firmly in her chest.

"You heartless brat! You better apologize for that!" Mitsuki slapped her son over his head when she came in from behind. Masaru put down the tray of tea and gave the officers each an apologetic expression.

"I apologize for his rude statements-""No, he's right." They looked at Akira who clenched her fists. "I should've stayed with her. I shouldn't have let her walk off on her own. I knew. I knew what was happening but I acted foolishly. I'm sorry. Mizuki, I'm sorry, I-I couldn't protect Rinako," Akira said, tears slipping out of her eyes.

The ash blonde didn't speak, only stared with crimson orbs. She tried to wake herself up from the nightmare she was in. She felt angst and despair wash over her in ruthless waves. Suddenly, breathing was difficult and the hammering of her heart muffled out the sounds around her.

"I… I… I can't. I'm sorry."

Mizuki shot up from the couch and then darted towards the front door. She couldn't hear the voices of those who called after her. All she could hear was her mind screaming at her that she needed to get out of there.

"Mizuki!"

Mitsuki was about to go after her daughter but Masaru but a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "She needs some air and space to work through this. I'll go after her. You stay here, okay?" He said and no matter how much she wanted to disagree, she knew that he would be there for their daughter.

"I'm sorry for everything that was unnecessary said on my side. We didn't mean to upset your daughter," the detective stated. Akira sat down next to her uncle, eyes hidden beneath a shadow and teeth grinding behind closed lips.

"If there's anything that comes up, please give us a call. Even if it's the smallest detail, we'd appreciate it. We want to find Rinako and all the other victims as soon as possible," he said and Mitsuki nodded.

"Of course. We'll do just that. I apologize for Mizuki's outburst. She's going through a lot now and just needs some time," Mitsuki said, knowing full well the burdens that her daughter was carrying only for more to be added.

Katsuki stared at the open front door and a hand went to clutch his chest. What the hell? Why did this also have to happen? Wasn't it bad enough that she failed? Wasn't it bad enough that they argued?

He found that this was the first time that he didn't know how to make his sister's pain go away. He always found a way to make her feel better and even when he was merely there for support, it helped. This time, however, his hands were cut off and he was forced to sit helplessly on the living room couch.

"Yes, Akira-san is more than welcome to stay until Mizuki gets back. I'll be sure to make some extra tea for her," Mitsuki offered as the two policemen stood up. Akira sat in her own darkness, her thoughts to herself and sadness holding her captive as she thought about her two dear friends.

That Night…

MIzuki ran. She didn't stop for a long time. She ran and ran and ran, all in hope that she would be able to escape the pain, escape the dread and despair. She wanted to rid herself from the clutches of her own dark and spiralling thoughts.

She struggled to breathe, her lungs burning. She couldn't suppress the endless sobs that ripped through her throat. Her legs were on fire, her muscles straining against each step she took. Every step was faster than the previous one.

Rinako was gone…she was missing…she was kidnapped. It couldn't be true. She was fine, right? She was going to pop up on her screen while giving the stupidest introduction of a lifetime, she was going to dream endlessly about space being her new passion and she was going to beat them in karaoke.

Akira would be there to mock and tease her. They would go to school and be there when she came up from behind them. Akira would resist the happy smile while Rinako crushed them in a tight embrace and now…now…

She didn't even get a chance to talk to her friends about what happened. She didn't get a chance to hear how their final exams were. She didn't have another chance to warn them or tell them how much she loved them. Moreover, she acted like a coward and ran away when Akira was hurting.

What was she doing?

She wanted to get rid of the eyes that gazed right through her. Her parents, her brother, her friends, her teachers. She needed a place where she could find herself and give herself the space she needed.

That was why she was sitting in the darkness of the night on a park bench, legs pulled against her chest. She rested her head on her knees, arms embracing the legs. She sat there all alone, away from everyone and everything.

As time ticked by, her loneliness grew until a familiar presence came near. He found Mizuki sitting on the wooden bench, on the far side. He went to sit on the other end of the park bench, his face impassive and his eyes gleaming with a peculiar emotion.

"I'm a mess."

Masaru eyed his daughter, the girl unmoving. With everything that happened only in the past couple of days, he understood why she was one.

Failed practical exam, new Quirk, fighting with her brother, missing friend. Each one of those situations were part of the chain reaction that led to her feeling that way. His heart bled for his daughter.

"I think it's alright if you cry and get your emotions out. Rather that way than bubbling up everything inside you," Masaru softly spoke to his daughter. He heard her huff and watched as she lifted her worn out eyes.

"I can't cry anymore. I cried myself dry. Not to mention that I don't have anything left to bubble out. Is this how it feels to have a mental breakdown?" Mizuki asked her father, not looking at him and merely stared into space.

"I can't tell. You're going to have to ask your mother on that one. She's much more experienced and informed. All I can say is, if it was one, you handled it very well. We still have the house standing," Masaru said and the crimson eyed girl shook her head.

"Don't joke. I don't want to laugh right now, Dad. I want to yell. I want to scream at the top of my lungs. I want to burn something, explode something to pieces," Mizuki told her father and Masaru gave her a blank look.

"Then why don't you?" This made her look at her father with an incredulous expression. "Get it out of your system, Mizuki. If you think it will make you feel better, then do it," her father urged her on and she bit her bottom lip.

Her father was right. She needed an outlet. She needed to do something, anything, to make her feel better even if it meant a good scolding session later on. She couldn't take this anymore. She refused to keep with everything inside her.

Masaru watched as Mizuki dropped her legs and pushed herself off the wooden bench. She walked forward, brown eyes scanning her as she stopped a few feet in front of him. She inhaled deeply, her entire body briefly relaxing before she erupted into a loud yell.

"DAMN IT ALL!"

He watched as sparks appeared all over her body before she let out a roar from inside her. She yelled at the top of her lungs, her voice coming out hoarse and her body trembling as she pushed out everything from inside her.

She continued to do so a few more times until she was out of breath, her throat raw and her voice cracking at the pressure she applied. He saw the less tension in her shoulders but knew that it was far from her being alright.

A warm and calming hand was put on her shoulder, a pair of crimson orbs meeting a pair of welcoming eyes. Masaru gave her shoulder a small squeeze and then smiled at his heavy breathing daughter.

"You want to get some hot chocolate?" He asked and Mizuki pressed her lips together. She gave him a nod, eyes quivering. He gently led her away from her screaming spot, the sounds of her aching heart lost in the darkness of the night.

"Akira-san is staying over for a while until things settled at the station. Her parents are currently out of town and her Uncle asked us to keep an eye on her," Masaru spoke as soon as he saw his daughter's quivering eyes. Mizuki glanced at her father and then looked away.

"She was worried about you but I told her that you'd be fine. After all, you're your mother's daughter," her father pointed out and Mizuki frowned deeply. That was not how she felt at the moment.

"I know you don't want to talk about Rinako-san and I'm fine with that. I want you to know that everyone's doing their best to find her and bring her back. The police and the hero agencies are all working endlessly to help find her," Masaru explained.

"Dad, what if they can't find her?" The ash blonde teenager asked the older male. "He said they were the same kidnappers, right? They haven't even managed to get one of the victims that were previously taken."

"That's why we're staying positive. We're hoping and helping where we can. Rinako-san is a fighter, right? She won't let herself be beaten. It's quite alright for you to worry about her but you also need to be there for your other friend right now," he reminded her and Mizuki's brows furrowed.

"Mizuki, you've always been able to get through anything by putting your eyes on the prize and this is the same. You need to decide what it is what you want, what you need and then go for it with everything you have," he told his daughter.

What she wanted? What she needed?

She could think of one thing at that moment. It was to be there for Akira. She needed to support her friend. It didn't matter what she was feeling or thinking other than the dark-haired female. First, she needed to make sure her friend was doing alright.

Secondly, she needed to get her life in order and she could only do that if she started to train her new Quirk. She needed to find control and use it to become stronger. Then, and only then, would she be able to move on to the last step.

"Dad, you're the best, you know that?" Mizuki spoke softly, the male caught off guard by her words. He then smiled and let out a light laugh. He watched as his daughter gave him a loving look and felt his heart fill. He could see more than himself and Mitsuki in those eyes. He could see so much more.

Mizuki felt the hairs on the back of her head stand up as she felt a pair of eyes on her figure. She stopped in her tracks and glanced back, eyes darting around to find the person. She was only met with a few pedestrians passing them, talking and laughing.

She could feel it. Someone was watching her. She didn't feel her instincts yell at her that she was in danger but she could tell that the intentions behind the staring were enough to make her be on alert.

Who could it be?

"Are you coming?" Her father's voice snapped her out of her haze. She nodded vaguely, eyes still looking around one last time before she followed the male. They went inside a small café, the bell ringing in her ears and the door closing behind her figure, the stranger still unfound by her.

Please leave a Review!