It wasn't long after my rooftop encounter with Arisu came to a close, the bell rang signaling the end of lunch. I then swiftly returned to my classroom. And there I was greeted with plenty of familiar faces. But when I was surveying the classroom, there was one person that I hadn't seen in a while who still wasn't present.

"Hey, where's Karuizawa?" I asked out of a whim. That's all it really was. Truthfully, nothing more than a whim. Sudo was already in the classroom, and he heard me clearly. So, he tried explaining the situation.

"Remember, when I told you that some of our classmates dropped out after… you know. That's what happened with Karuizawa." Sudo explained things in a way that wouldn't upset the students that were around us. That's right. He did say something to that effect, didn't he? Either way it made sense that some of our classmates would want to leave this school after what happened with Horikita. In fact, it's a miracle most of them are still attending classes alongside us. And just as I was about to take my seat. That person, our new teacher heard us.

"Say, did you happen to say something about Ms. Kei Karuizawa? I could be wrong though. My ears aren't what they used to be." Tsukishiro asked even though he heard us clearly and was just lying to make me angry. It was working but I maintained my composure in spite of it.

"So, what? Are you here to rub it in our faces that we couldn't have done anything to prevent her from withdrawing. If that's it, then I don't want to hear it." I replied without hiding my animosity for Tsukishiro in the slightest. This surprised Sudo who was like 'Dude?' And Shiina who muttered my name and got up from her seat too. They must not know what happened. Figures. It wasn't like Tsukishiro made an announcement or anything. And since they came after the fight had already occurred, there wasn't really much of a chance for them to learn about what happened. I have no doubt Yamauchi would have told them if things didn't involve him falling on his butt. But I can just explain that later. Or at least that was the plan until I received a bombshell unlike no other.

"Goodness no. Who do you think I am? A monster? No, I'm just your professor who keeps tabs on all of his students. The ones in enrolled of course. I could care less about the ones who chose to leave of their own accord. But the truth is… Ms. Kei Karuizawa is still enrolled as a student of Class 1-A." Tsukishiro replied as my eyes went wide out of utmost surprise. If Karuizawa's still a student, then why would Sudo- But he answered my question for me.

"The hell?! That can't be! She's been out for two weeks! What could she have!? Covid?" Sudo yelled out obtaining the attention of his fellow classmates in the process. Suddenly, the air grew tense. Not because they were staring at us, mind you. But l just had a really bad feeling about this.

"An educated guess. But that's all it amounts to. For the record, she said she was sick with a cold right around the time I was made Professor of this class. Now, it's just like you say that was two weeks ago. However… she hasn't called out sick since that day. So, unless she decided to play hooky, then it must be something awfully serious if she can't even make a simple phone call." Tsukishiro replied while having that fake smile of his plastered on his face. But I couldn't even process that because my mind was too focused on Karuizawa.

I just couldn't understand it. Karuizawa may have been one to say what's on her mind much to the annoyance of her peers nor did she get along with them all that well. But that's not a reason for her to skip class! She's been present almost every single day I've been here! Which I know isn't saying much as of late but still! She's not one to skip class! That's just not in her character! An illness also seems highly unlikely. I never heard of 'covid' before. But something like a cold shouldn't put someone under the weather for over two weeks! Then if it's neither of those things then what the hell else could it be?! But as I was racking my brain to find an answer to this perplexing question, it hit me.

'I-I mean… just… what the hell is going on?! First Yosuke's acting like I said something last week and now you too?! I don't remember saying shit about it! Everyone's acting like they feel so bad for me! And why is my neck so goddamn itchy?!' Karuizawa said this on the day of the Sports Festival. It felt like so long ago even though it was just over two weeks. But she later explained herself the next day, right before things took a turn for the worse. But then why am I thinking about that now?!

'If only I had Nomu… that guy would've been able to go up against anything him without thinking about anything!' That was what Shigaraki said back at USJ. The first time I met him. I really didn't think much of that at the time. But he had a weird habit of scratching his neck, didn't he? But what does that have to with-

'DON'T TOUCH ME!' Karuizawa yelled that out loud that same day! It was right after I tried grab her hand! Why would she do something like that!? It's not like I haven't hugged her before! Something like me touching her hand shouldn't have sparked such a reaction! Unless…

… No. No, no, no, no, no! NO! IT CAN'T BE! WHY WOULD SHE BE GIVEN 'THAT' QUIRK?!

"But why else would she act like that all of a sudden and then do a complete one-eighty?! The chances of it being a coincidence are slim to none! And even her attitude the day after was like she was a completely different person! And how could she be so confused back then after she said all of that?! It was like she was a completely different person. No! She was a completely different person! Then that person… that person was…" I began muttering uncontrollably out of an uncontrollable amount of fear while my heart felt like it was about to beat right out of my chest. This drew the concern of both Hiyori and Sudo among several others. But I didn't even have time to process any of that. Because it all fell into place as if it was a puzzle. And he knew that. They 'both' did.

"Looks, like you found your answer. I just wonder what it could be that's been making Ms. Kei Karuizawa so consistently absent. It's almost… like there's a reason why she can't come to school right now. Almost as if… she were hypothetically speaking of course, had covid, that she would spread the disease and infect her fellow classmates with it. It's a rather lethal disease after all. So, if that did happen… someone might die." Tsukishiro said as my eyes focused on him the moment he finished speaking. That smile… that revolting smile! It made me want to…

… Snap him like a twig! But just as I was too preoccupied with what was going on, the traitor that had been among us the entire time, made his way out of the classroom without a single soul noticing him leave. That man's name was Kanji Ike. Or at least, that's the name of the corpse that the demon Kiyotaka Ayanokoji was manipulating from outside of the grave.

'So, he realized it. Though it was only inevitable that the charade would be exposed at the rate it was going. With Karuizawa holed up in her room and on edge I haven't had much of a chance to slip in and take some of her blood. I wasn't a mind reader after all. So, if I popped in without notice when she was awake, it could be the death of me. Her Decay Quirk ensures the complete eradication of any person she touches. Such an annoying power. What was the Doctor thinking in having me use All For One to transfer it from that husk of a monster to her?' Kiyotaka thought internally with his usual emotionless expression. All the while Garaki laughed in his mind. This made Ayanokoji click his tongue out of annoyance.

'This is bad. If Izuku Midoriya reaches her before I do, then it's game set. I don't have a choice. I'll have to use Ryuuen to kidnap her. If I were to lose him and his Blueflame Quirk that would be a huge loss for my future plans. But better him dead than me. Even still, with Midoriya's speed, it wouldn't take long for him to reach Karuizawa's apartment. And combined with his Obliterator Quirk… I don't have any time to waste. I must use Warp Gate to get back to the lair where Ryuuen is.' Kiyotaka continued internally before snapping his fingers as a purple vortex materialized. But since it was broad daylight, the chances of him being spotted on the security cameras is guaranteed.

This means that the Kanji Ike cover had just been blown out of the water. My father will now realize that I've been masquerading as someone who was believed to be alive but had actually been six feet under for months. I'd rather not have a confrontation with my father in the event he decides to send me back to the White Room. No matter. I'll just take up a new identity. That way I will be able to keep tabs on Izuku Midoriya in the event he figures out something like this and worse gets close to the truth behind my identity. And since Garaki will take control of my body the moment I try to kill Midoriya, I'll be rendered a sitting duck. Taking his friends out won't work either since the good ol Doctor desires the suffering of Midoriya to be everlasting. Either way it didn't change the plan. But just as Ayanokoji was about to leave the scene-

"You one of Midoriya's friends?!" The voice of someone unexpected made Kiyotaka's eyes go wide. Someone spotted him?! Now of all times?! I'll have to eliminate he-wait. She just referred to me as one of Midoriya's friends. Which means the disguise given to me by the late Kanji Ike is still in effect. Then…

… I could use this to my advantage.

"So, what if I am? I'm Kanji Ike. Who might you two be?" Kiyotaka asked as he recognized them almost immediately as Ryuuen's lackeys. Mio Ibuki and Albert Yamada. Hmm. This is better than I expected. Yes… this could work. So, how about I use them?

"Doesn't matter! Where's our boss!? If you have one of those powers, then surely you and Midoriya must know where he is! His name's Ryuuen by the way! So, don't you dare forget it!" The voice of the girl from earlier, Mio Ibuki made it quite clear how angry she was. Yes, yes. I know that already. So, let's get on with it already.

"If you want to find your 'boss' follow me. I know just where he is." Kiyotaka smirked deviously with the face that belonged to Ike before vanishing into the purple vortex. Leaving Ibuki and Albert no choice but to follow in pursuit as Warp Gate fizzled out behind them. And then…

"So, what is it you're going to do, Izuku Midoriya?! Surely there can only be but a single answer! Ms. Kei Karuizawa appears to be in a bit of a pinch! You've just figured that out. So, it's safe to say that whoever may have had her contract that disease in the first place knows the truth as well! But I guess a self-pro claimed hero like you would have no trouble sleeping at night over one of his classmates being in bed sick with a 'cold.' Or am I wrong to believe that. After all this is all just a 'hypothesis.' Or… is it?" Tsukishiro asked while trying to bait me further into making a reckless decision. Sudo heard everything and clicked his tongue before grabbing Tsukishiro's collar.

"Another word out of ya, and I don't give a shit what happens to me, I'm gonna deck you right in your old ass face!" Sudo declared with a shout. But Tsukishiro wasn't concerned with him in the slightest. He was looking at me after all. Seeing what I was going to do next. And that was-

"And looks like you made your decision." Tsukishiro muttered to himself as I was already rushing toward the broken window that hadn't been fixed yet. The same exit, I made when me and him fought, was going to be the same way I'll escape! Of course, Hiyori noticed this. But I was too fast, and I could only hear her shout my name before I made my exit! I couldn't waste any time explaining the situation! Not when Karuizawa's life is at stake! I must reach her before Kiyotaka does! And with that…

… The chase was on!

Chapter 54: Collision Course

'WHOOOSH!' A gust of cold autumn air hit me in the face as I fell closer and closer to the earth below. If I were to collide onto the ground at the height, I was at it would certainly be my doom. Normally a second story fall wouldn't have done much against me, aside from a few scrapes and bruises. However, when I used Air Force to propel myself out of the classroom, I quite literally shot myself into the air. I was now, easily over fifteen, no, twenty stories into the air. But that was completely intentional on my part because I wanted to survey where the girls' apartment buildings were. It wasn't right next to where the boys' dormitories were since they were intentionally kept separate by a distance of roughly two miles.

However, it wasn't to say that the girls' apartment buildings were further from the school. If I had to give an accurate description of how they were all positioned, it would be more like an upside-down triangle. In the left corner was the girls' dormitories and the right was where the boys were, then if you placed opposite diagonal lines downward from where they were coming from, they would intersect precisely where AN was located at. Hence, the upside-down triangle analogy. I only visited the girls' dorms once, when Ichinose invited me over to her place. But even though I remember where her apartment is located at, I couldn't say the same thing about Karuizawa's place of residence.

This is because of the fact there were not a single building, but 'buildings' three of them to be exact. You might be thinking that she would be grouped in Ichinose's building, because they were both first year students, and the first initial of their last names happened to be close by each other, with only a single letter being between them. (I, J, K.) But this would be a misconception. Not only were their second years, in my apartment building, but also Sudo's apartment was on the same floor as mine was located. This was especially weird considering the number of letters between our respective last initials, a total of five letters. (M, N, O, P, Q, R, S.) That and there was a total of five floors, so shouldn't he by all accounts be on the floor above mine?

Whatever the case, I was on a strict time limit. Karuizawa was in danger of being kidnapped by Kiyotaka while I'm going over this. It might only be the span of just a few seconds as I'm making my way to the closest building next to the school with an Air Bullet. But it's an unknown amount of time. Kiyotaka could already be in Karuizawa's apartment building since he has Kurogiri's Warp Gate Quirk. If that's the case, then I may already be too late. But I can't think that way! I have to try and save her! No! I must save her no matter what! I won't let him put his hands on her! Not after what he did to my friends!

'Karuizawa… just get the fuck out of here.' And especially after how I hurt her in the past! I might have apologized her to back then at the Sports Festival. But that doesn't mean anything when I should have seen the signs earlier! That she had Tomura Shigaraki's Decay Quirk! Instead, I was too preoccupied with Ichinose, Hiyori, my feelings for them both, and the resulting fight, that I completely dismissed the signs that Karuizawa was in pain! And if really has barricaded herself in her room for the past two weeks, then there's a chance that she may let her emotions get the better of her and self-destruct so to speak.

The result, even if there are few students present within the building, could mean their demise! And even if Karuizawa is the only person within her dormitory, then the results would still be disastrous! Especially if Chairman Ayanokoji declares her as an enemy! And if that were to happen, he would surely have her murdered! I don't even want to think what that bastard's son would do to her if he got to her first! That's why it's imperative that I find Karuizawa before he does! I might not know where her apartment is specifically located, but I know who does! And thankfully I have his phone number along with the rest of our classmates!

'Step! Step! Step! Step! Step!' And upon landing onto the building below my feet and running full speed, I dialed the number belonging to my friend Hirata! He must know where Karuizawa's place is since they are dating! They must have visited each other at least a few times in the past! Is what I convinced myself of as my phone rang until the person on the other end picked it up. And thankfully that person was-

"Midoriya?! Did something happen?!" Hirata yelled out from the other end of the line. It surprised me for a moment that he picked up on things so fast. But then again, we've been classmates for a while now. Not only that but class is supposed to be going on right now. Hirata knows this and pieced together that something must have happened if I'm calling him in the middle of class. Though he's always been smart. He's our Class Rep after all. So, I should expect no less from him. Even still, I smiled for less than a second before replying to him.

"Yeah! I can't explain the details! But I need to know where Karuizawa's apartment is located!" I replied while advancing to the ledge of the building I was on before leaping into the air and landing onto the next one! In that span of time, a few seconds passed by. But Hirata grew silent. Though that didn't make any sense! Surely, he knows where his girlfriend is staying at! Even I know where Hiyori lives! (Though I haven't had time to swing by yet) Then what gives?! But as I bit my lip while trying to desperately search for an answer, I was given one. One that shocked me to the very core of my being.

"Midoriya, me and Karuizawa aren't dating." Hirata replied as my eyes went wide out of sheer surprise. Not dating?! But how can that be?!

'I guess I'll go next. My name is Kei Karuizawa. Also, I'd advise you to not hit on me. I mean I'm obviously beautiful and all. But as you can see me, and Yosuke are dating.' That's what Karuizawa said in her class introduction! It was the first thing I heard her say! But that was a lie!? Why would she lie about that?!

But then again, I was all too surprised to learn that they were dating from the get-go. Because it had only been a week since classes started. How could they have already become so close within a single week to the point that they decided to become boyfriend and girlfriend? It didn't make any sense on paper. Though there wasn't really anything I could do to rebuke it, so I accepted it as it was. (Unfortunately, after making a scene in front of all of our classmates over how dumbfounded, I was to learn the truth) But that wasn't the truth. Then what was the truth? What could have made the both of them decide to date each other when they only just met? Of course, he knew that I was struggling with this very question.

"Things must be desperate so I'll get to the point. It was Karuizawa who suggested that we dated. She never explained her reasons behind her decision. All she gave me was the look on her face. I couldn't reject her after she looked so desperate. So, I agreed to her proposal. We may have gotten close to each other a few times or so. But it was strictly a cover to make it appear that we were dating. I haven't even kissed her. Much less been to her apartment. I'm sorry. But that's the truth behind our relationship. In fact, I only ever viewed as a friend, nothing more." Hirata answered as I gritted my teeth out of frustration.

It wasn't as if I was mad about him and Karuizawa lying to me. I knew there was a reason why she would do that. Was it to bolster and protect her reputation?

'Are you joking? You do realize if people catch us hanging out together that could create rumors? You might not know gossip cause you're not a girl. I am. So, I know how fast that stuff can travel. And before you know it, it's already too late. So, no. I'll be doing my own thing until then. If something happens, I'll send out a text.' She seemed awfully concerned about how others perceived her. If that's the case, then that could be her reason why she decided to date Hirata. Plus, since he's Class Rep, dating him would certainly give her someone that would protect her in more ways than one.

However, that answer only seemed like 'part' of the truth. I definitely felt like I was missing additional context that would cast all of her actions into a new light. But I didn't have time to ponder about what could have driven Karuizawa into dating someone that held no feelings for her whatsoever. The same could probably be said vice versa too. Even still, I thanked Hirata before hanging up on him right in the middle of him saying 'wait.' It was a rude thing to do, especially to a friend. But I didn't have time to practice courtesy when she's in an immeasurable amount of danger now.

Though the same thing could be said about the time I have left, or lack thereof. I need to find out which building Karuizawa lives in and FAST! But how am I supposed to do that when even the guy she was supposedly dating doesn't know where she is?! If he doesn't then who's to say anyone in our class knows the truth! I'm running out of options! Who else may know which apartment building and more specifically the room number! Think, Midoriya! THINK! But that's when it hit me! There is one other person who may know! Or to put it more accurately should be able to ascertain the location! That person being none other than-

'ARISU!' I thought internally with a look of hope on my face! That's right! Sakayanagi's IQ Quirk would be able to ascertain the location of Karuizawa's apartment building! Thank God, I got her that tea she needs to use her Quirk! But even though I don't have her phone number, the chances of Hirata having it are quite high! After all, when Chairman Ayanokoji and Garaki sent them after me, they were well coordinated! Clearly, they had a plan, and I have no doubt Sakayanagi was the brains behind the operation to expose my identity! Ergo, it would only make sense to have them be in contact with each other in order for them all to be on the same page when they were fighting me! And after realizing just that, I turned on my phone once more.

'Do you have Sakayanagi's phone number? If so text it to me!' I sent a text out to Hirata, and it only took him a matter of seconds to reply with her phone number. I wasted no time calling her. And just like before, she answered the call after only a few seconds passed by!

"Midoriya! Do you realize what you did!? You left me on the roof! Now while I should have asked you to help me get back to my class- Sakayanagi spoke but I cut her off before she could have had a chance to finish.

"Arisu! I'm sorry about that! But there's no time! Karuizawa is in danger! I need you to use your Quirk to determine her location!" I yelled out as I made my way to the end of the building I was on before leaping to the next one! And in that small amount of time, she sipped on her tea before responding.

"… Her apartment building is the third one. But I'm sure you don't know which one that is amongst the three of them. But I may have heard a rumor of you going to Honami Ichinose's apartment some time ago. It's the one directly to the right of her building. Also, her room number is on the second floor. Specifically, two-fifteen." Arisu explained with a smug smile on her face. (Though I couldn't see it since she was still on the roof.) Even still I couldn't be happier to hear her give me exactly what I wanted to know!

"Thank you, Arisu! I love you! Talk to you later!" I replied before ending the call just as Arisu snapped back with 'Stop telling me you love me when you have a girl- was all she could say before I hung up. I felt kind of bad about hanging up on her like that. But I'll make sure to return the favor somehow! But before that, I'm coming to save you Karuizawa! And with that declaration that I yelled out from deep within my soul, I made my way into the apartment building right beside Ichinose's dormitory. It didn't take me long to rush in. I avoided replying to the woman at the front desk's shouting of who I was as I had no time to lose!

'Step! Step! Step! Step! Step!' So, with that I made my way to the emergency staircase and charged upward like a bolt of lightning, advancing all the way to the second floor in less than a second! And the moment I made it onto the second floor, I noticed the dorm room at the far end of the hallway labeled two-fifteen! That's Karuizawa's apartment number! Knowing that, I rushed down the hallway as fast as I could while winding up my fist! Sorry about the door Karuizawa! But I have no choice but to break it down with a-

'SMASH!' My fist went straight through it as the wooden door exploded into a million pieces! Unfortunately, a few of those pieces went into my hand. They were small but sharp and they hurt a bit. But the amount of pain that Karuizawa was going through was far more agonizing than whatever a few splinters could do against me! And it was with that, I walked into Karuizawa's apartment. But upon walking inside, I found no signs of forced entry. (Unlike what I just did.) I unintentionally let out a sigh of relief as I assumed that I made it in time.

However, I quickly brushed that off as all I could be doing was deluding myself to the truth of the matter. After all, Kiyotaka has Warp Gate. Considering that Karuizawa wasn't born with the Decay Quirk, she had to have been 'given' it. And it's without a shadow of a doubt the person who forced her to have such a horrible power was none other than Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. But I knew that already. I knew exactly what that monster was capable of. Which means I must make sure that he didn't get to her first.

Now, that's something I can do by just surveying her apartment. Because even if there were no signs of forced entry, Karuizawa wouldn't let some psycho kidnap her. And with Decay, she would have been able to cause an indescribable amount of wreckage. But considering that the building is still in one place, much less her living room, then that doesn't seem to be the case. But I can't be sure unless I check her bedroom. It didn't make me feel good in the slightest of barging into a girl's bedroom. But I didn't have a choice. Even still, I politely knocked on it before opening it.

To my surprise no one was there. But that wasn't all. Her bedroom was exactly what a teenage girl's bedroom would look like. A bed with pink sheets, heart shaped pillows, and posters of teenage heartthrobs on the walls. It was almost too 'stereotypical' of what a girl would have in her room. But I brushed off that thought, before making my way deeper into her bedroom. Because there was only one last place that I hadn't checked. The bathroom. It's in the far-right corner of her bedroom. That's the last place that she could be. I didn't hear the sound of the shower's faucet. So, if she's there I highly doubt she's naked. But even still, I shouldn't just barge in there before knocking. Though in the midst of doing that, something piqued my curiosity.

"Ah." I let out a slight gasp upon noticing a notebook that was sticking out of the drawer right beside her bed. It was… suspicious. After all, why wouldn't she put it all the way inside her drawer? It just didn't make sense, so I grabbed her notebook from out of her drawer. My intention was to put it back but before I could, I noticed something rather unsettling to say the least. On the front cover…

… was a speck of something red.

'I shouldn't open this.' I thought internally for a moment. But my curiosity got the better of me as I ended up opening the notebook. But it wasn't a notebook, it was a diary. I could tell simply from the fact that there were dates written on the top of each page. They detailed the day-to-day life of Karuizawa from roughly three years ago. She must have been in middle school around that time.

'Don't look any further.' The voice of Jokata warned me. I knew that I shouldn't be looking through her diary. But something… compelled me to look through it further. It wasn't that I was concerned about her daily life as a middle school student. I merely skimmed through those pages where she wrote about an annoying teacher or a cute boy. The way she wrote about her day-to-day life was like how anyone would. It was a very natural way of writing. It was perfectly normal. There was nothing in the slightest that would have made it anything but trivial! So…

… Why the hell am I looking through this?! Why do I feel like something is pushing me to continue to read through her diary?! What was 'it' trying to find?! I couldn't answer that question. Because I was too busy flipping the pages and scanning the information off of them faster than I could blink until I stumbled upon-

'Today wasn't a good day. My classmates learned that me and Kenji-Kun are dating. I should be excited that we are now in a relationship… right? But for some reason I'm not all too happy about it. But… the girls in our class have gone off the deep end! Why else would they dump toilet water onto me?! They were so jealous! But screw them! I'm going to get through this! Because if I tell my parents they might have me transferred to another school! I can't just leave the moment I got my first boyfriend!' Is what the November 3rd entry read. Of course this wasn't recently. It was over a year ago. But even though it wasn't anywhere close to today's date-

'Listen to me kid! You and I both know that whatever's in this diary is bad news! So just stop it! Stop it right now!' Jokata demanded but I continued to ignore him as I continued skimming through Karuizawa's diary. The proceeding entries continued to list how cruel the girls' acts toward her were in vivid detail. I felt horrible about reading this. I shouldn't be reading this! I know it's just like how Jokata said it was! Whatever's in this diary is something I shouldn't know! But just as I was about to close the diary, I stumbled upon something that sent shivers down my spine and to the very core of my being.

'Today… why? What did I do to deserve that? I've never done anything wrong to him. I loved him! I loved him with every fiber of my being! So, why!? Why after everything me and Ken have been through together would he- I dropped the book after reading the next word. And before I knew it, I found myself stumbling to the backroom and collapsing to my knees over the open toilet before projectile vomiting into it. I couldn't believe what I had just read. But it couldn't have been anything but the truth. That's what made me sick to my stomach as I threw up all the food that was still in my stomach into the toilet.

"Haah… haah… haah… what the hell?" I breathed in and out excessively as tears of regret and pain went down my cheeks. But it was then that I finished speaking just as I noticed the bathroom sink out of the corner of my eye. There was something 'red' there too. Paint somehow must have landed in the sink. That's it. Karuizawa's kind of clumsy! There's nothing wrong with there also being clear wrappers that contained bandages all over her sink! And discarded boxes of bandages filling up the trash beside me! This is all just some mistake! It has to be! There's no other possible answer but for it to be some mis-

'Tick. Tick. Tick.' It was then that I heard an audible ticking noise coming from the left of me. Where her shower was. The curtains were shut. I shouldn't open them. I stood up. I know I shouldn't open them. But Karuizawa might be there. Don't open them! Even still…

… I opened them only to find the source of the ticking noise which was-

'A BOMB?!' I screamed internally while letting out a 'Holy Crap!' Just as the ticking suddenly stopped. I knew that couldn't be good, so I leaped out of her bathroom with an air bullet! There was a window in her bedroom, and I propelled myself toward it, breaking the glass in the process just as-

'BOOOOOOOOM!' An explosion went off behind me, I was so caught off guard by the sudden explosion that my thought process broke and the air bullet I was charging dispersed while I fell toward the ground! But before I could collide with the cement-

"Ah." I let out a slight gasp as something kept me in midair by the back of my collar. Though I already had a good idea of what it was. And the girl floating down toward me was all the proof that I needed to know that she had come to my aid once more.

"Izuku! Are you okay?!" Hiyori yelled out but I didn't respond. I was utterly disgusted with what I read in Karuizawa's diary and even more so at myself for reading its contents. But even though that was the case, all I could think of was that if Karuizawa wasn't there then…

… Where on earth was she?

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Kei Karuizawa: Origin

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