A/N: Side Story: Kenji's bats have gone missing?!!!

Mikoto was having a relaxing time in his dorm.

The cold chill in the air that liable enough to give people goosebumps were nothing but mildness and serenity to him. Sure, he gets that being warm blooded can leave an unsympathetic freezing bitter chill to those who stay in the snow too long.

Mikoto: I still don't understand why people don't like the cold. It's refreshing and frosty reserved. It makes me feel cool as ice~!

His room was filled with an air conditioning to keep the place chilly with fresh snow scattered upon the floor while he relaxed in his igloo bed and eating ice cream.

Mikoto: It's nice to have a break every once in a while....

However, his short vacation was cut short when he heard a knock on the door.

Curious, he jumped out of his bed and finish up eating his ice cream before opening it up.

Mikoto: Oh Sylvia!

Sylvia: Hey Mikoto. You're not busy are you...?

Mikoto looks at the ice cream machine and bed for a moment. He really wanted to go back to paradise...but it seem like whatever Sylvia wanted was probably important.

Mikoto: Not really... What's going on...?

Sylvia:....Kenji is having an episode.

Mikoto: Wait what?

Sylvia: His bat familiars are missing.

Mikoto: ?!

Sylvia: Yeah. Turns out he's been looking for them all morning and now he's starting to get worried. You should see his face. He mentally and physically freaking out.

Mikoto: Whoa....(I never seen Kenji look like that. He's usually either bold or blunt. But he does show other emotions like anger...mostly to Eito. But Lily and the other bats are missing...this is a serious case....)

He then looks at Sylvia with his own question.

Mikoto: When was the last time he saw them?

Sylvia: He said he hasn't seen them since last night. It really struck a blow to him. Usually, most of those bats are always at his side and for them to up and vanished like that....

Mikoto: Yeah. I don't think Kenji's bats would just leave him like that. He said they're his kin and family as well. And the bats seem to like Kenji.

Sylvia: ...Then something is terribly wrong.

Mikoto: Then I'll join the search. They have to be around here somewhere in the dorms or somewhere in U.A. They couldn't have gotten far.

Sylvia: Alright. I'm going to search in the girl dorms with the other girls. You go to the boys and check up on Kenji. I'll give you feedback if I find anything.

Mikoto nodded. It was a good plan.

The case of missing bats had begin.

-Plus Ultra-

The whole class was searching every nook and cranny for a trace of the bats.

Some the girls: Luna, Zoe, Mio, and Destiny checked the bathrooms.

Samuel, Jack, Eito, and Kelly had checked the living room.

Haru and Akira checked the Kitchen.

Souta and Yin checked the dining area.

Oka looked in the basement.

Some of the students even went outside to look for them.

But nothing...

Mikoto: Okay...I had talked to Kenji a while back...and Sylvia was right...he was literally on edge.

He looked...scared...

The thought of Kenji looking horrified impacted Mikoto's mind. He felt so sorry for him.

Kenji gave him a motive that a description of his bats.

Lily was the most talkative one. She wouldn't shut up about a lot of things. Especially food. Kenji thought she and the other bats took off to go eat.
Lily would always return by his side after she goes off on her own. But she didn't....

Dusk was the strength of the group. He was a bat that had muscular wings. His was longer than the rest. Most bat wings look leathery and floppy, but they're full of hair-thin muscles. He was calm, balmy, and halcyon. He hardly gave Kenji a problem. So for him to just up and leave without Kenji's permission was out of the ordinary.

Raven was quietest one. But he was also the one that had incredible good hearing then the rest. He's the first one to notify Kenji first when danger is near.

Calamity was a rebellious prankster, much to Kenji's dismay. Sometimes he could swore the bat has a human trait and is actually laughing at him when he becomes a victim to her schemes. Calamity seem like smartest bat of them all because she's always seem to formulate a plan.

So far...only four of Kenji's bats were missing...

Mikoto begin to think of some theories of what happened to them.

1. They're probably hiding... Because bats have a habit of flitting in and out of social situations, swooping down to interact briefly with others before quickly flying off to resume their bat lives. Unassertive and aloof, they'll take flight at the first hint of a confrontation to seek comfort in their personal spaces, generally decorated in unusual but expressive ways. Like Kenji said...Calamity is a prankster and...what if they're probably hiding somewhere in the dorms...Probably in dark corners or spaces.

2. Identifying bat personalities is not difficult. Being nocturnal creatures, they come alive at night and can be spotted in underground clubs or dimly lit bars. They prefer the sanctuary of dark clothing and dark corners, and you'll never see a bat sporting a heavy tan. These are intelligent, spiritual, creative individuals who use their full range of senses (other than their poor eyesight) to carefully navigate their way through life.

Like theory #1, Bats have a habit of flitting in and out of social situations, swooping down to interact briefly with others before quickly flying off to resume their bat lives. Unassertive and aloof, Kenji's bats probably took flight for the first hint of a confrontation to seek comfort in their personal spaces, generally decorated in unusual but expressive ways. He probably left the window open for them to leave and not realized it....leading to this misunderstanding....

3. Short theory. If what Kenji said is true, then there's no way the bats got lost. They know they're way back to him....so in other words...they were taken...

Mikoto: I hope it's just the first two....

Hein: Mikoto-kun...

Mikoto: Ah! Hein!

Hein: Had any luck?

Mikoto: Not much...but I got some theories...

Mikoto had explained to Hein about the three theories he had...the girl's eyes went wide...

Hein: For your short theory...I think I know they could be...

Mikoto: Wait! You know?! Where are they-?!....

Hein:....

Mikoto: No way. You don't think.

Hein: Think about it, Mikoto... She's the only one that haven't join the search. Obviously she's hiding something.

And with that, the two went to the only person they knew who care about animals to the point where they are obsessed with them...

Mikoto: MARIA!

The short girl's eyes went wide.

Maria: Uh-Oh....

Hein: Maria...care to explain what happened to Kenji's bats?

Maria: I-I have no idea what you're talking about, Nya!

Mikoto: Maria...we know it was you...you're the only one in Class 1-C that seems to harbor an hatred for Kenji. Which led you to do this...

Maria: B-But...I...didn't....

*SCREECH*

Maria: O_O

Mikoto:.....

Hein: ....Then what's that...?

Maria: N-Nothing...just my woodland friends!

*Squeaks*

*Chatters*

Mikoto and Hein walks into her room and saw a small sake cave nearby. They both went inside and sure enough.

Inside the cave, onto some small rocks hanging in the air were the four bats they were looking for.

Mikoto: There you are!

Lily: *Screeches*

Dusk: *Squeaks*

Calamity: *Chatters*

Mikoto: Thank goodness we found you guys. Kenji was getting worried.

At the mentioned of their owner, the four bats made excited noises before they flew onto Mikoto's shoulders.

Raven: *Nuzzles*

Mikoto: Hehe. You guys are adorable.

Hein looked at Maria who was pointing her gaze to the ground.

Hein: Maria. I am utterly disappointed in you.

Maria: What did I do, nya?!

Mikoto: You stole Kenji's bats!

Maria: I didn't! I did them a favor in making sure they stay away from him, nya!

Mikoto: *Facepalms* OMG! Maria...

This girl hasn't learned anything...

Maria: He's a monster! What if he hurts them! They don't deserve to stay in that cage he's putting them in.

Hein: Maria! That's enough! You're being rude!

Maria: How?!

Mikoto: Because you just took away Kenji's only family prevailing him into a panic!

Maria: ....?!

Mikoto: Maria...you're being selfish...Kenji love these guys...They also love him too...They can't live without each other.

Maria: B-But...I can take of them better than he can! He's a monster! He hurt and kill animals. He could do the same to them.

Hein: Maria...Just stop... You're bring ridiculous.

Maria: *Angry* How am I being ridiculous! After what he done to my animal friends! That monster deserves to be alone!

Mikoto: Maria! He didn't mean to do it! He did all that to survive!

Maria:.....

Mikoto: Kenji needs blood... because without it...he could die...

Maria:......Well maybe it's better that way.

Hein gasped in horror and Mikoto couldn't believe what Maria just said. Being a brat and childish are two things but...

This was going too far.

Maria: They would much safer away from him. Right guys?

Maria looked at the bats with a hopeful look...

...but...

Lily: *Hisses*

Maria: W-Why are you hissing at me?

Calamity/Dusk/Raven: *Glares*

Maria backed away in horror.

Hein: Maria...do you even realize what you just said...I...I can't even look at you in the face anymore without throwing up.

Mikoto: Maria...the bats are mad at you because of what you said to Kenji.

Maria: B-But I don't understand...I just want to help them... They're safer here.

Mikoto: But that's just the thing Maria. They don't want your help... They're much happier with Kenji...

Maria: BUT-!

Hein: Maria! They could die in this lifestyle!

Maria: Huh?! How?!

Hein: These bats are so young. They must think of Kenji like a parent. Usually mother bats stay with the pups while the rest leave the
roost to hunt. They will continue to take shifts until the baby bats can hunt and feed themselves, about 3 weeks after birth. But these bats are so devoted to Kenji, both parties can't survive without each other. So you're basically killing them!

Bats: *Sad Noises* Screeeeech....

Maria: *Regret*....I-I had no idea...I was only doing the right thing.

Mikoto: Well you weren't. I get you were concerned. But it was none of your business and you had no right to act.

Hein: Now... it's best we return the bats to Kenji. I hope this teaches you a lesson to not poke your nose into others' lifestyle and jump to conclusions....

Mikoto: Because what you did was absolutely ridiculous...

Hein: We're leaving now. But we'll be discussing what your punishment will be tomorrow.

Maria: But...

Hein: I don't want to hear what you have to say.

Mikoto: Come on little critters. I'll take you back to Kenji.

The two left her dorm leaving Maria im her thoughts.

Maria:......

-Plus Ultra-

Kenji was gleeful that his bats were safely returned to him. Both parties were buoyant of being reunited.

Kenji: I'm so happy you guys are back....

Lily: *Nuzzles* Screeeeech!

Kenji: Yes yes. Especially you too.

*Knock* *Knock*

Kenji looked confused wondering who that was at his door. Maybe it was Mikoto coming up to check up on him.

For Eito, for trivial pursuit in stalking matters.

He opened up the door....to the person who least wanted to see at the moment.

Maria: H-Hi....

Kenji:....*Venom* What do you want?

Ever since Mikoto and Hein told him Maria was the culprit. He wanted to cut off all ties with the girl. He didn't care if they were classmates. What she did to him was unforgivable.

Maria: I-I just wanted to say....I'm sorry.

Kenji:....

Maria: The others were right...I been...so bratty and childish overtime to you. What I did to you was wrong... I shouldn't have done all that to you... Especially call you a monster...I never even thought of your feelings...I'm so sorry.

Kenji:....Continue...

Maria: I...wanted to be a hero to animals... that's the reason why I here...because of animal cruelty.
...

Kenji:...?

Maria: People had put animals through been intentional, malicious acts of harm and less clear-cut situations where the needs of an animal are neglected. Violence against animals has been linked to a higher likelihood of criminal violence and domestic abuse. It's horrible it's always been overlook. So that's why I want to help as many animals as possible...when I saw your bats. I thought you were mistreating and probably was thinking of eating them....like you did to other animals.

Kenji: So that excuse you from your actions to take Lily and the others away from me...? By comparing me to others who abuse and kill animals.

Maria:....No...it does not...

Kenji: Maria...as much as I get what you're going through and I understand. It's horrible how animals are treated and I think that's a good goal.

Maria felt elated to hearing that.

Kenji: But I can't forgive you.

Maria: B-But....

Kenji: It never occured to you that they were my family, did it?

Maria: W-Well, Nya...

Kenji: My feelings never mattered when you took Lily, Dusk, and the others away. You were only thinking for yourself. Of what you thought was right when it was wrong. You even said I was better off dead. That cross the line...You wound me Maria...

Maria: But...Kenji...I...

Kenji: And do you know how hypocritical you sound. People kill and eat animals everyday. Cow, chickens, and pigs. How do you think meat and pork are made?!

Maria:......

Kenji: So why me...Why do you gotta take it out on me...?

Maria: B-But Kenji...you don't understand...I...

Kenji cut her off with a sharp tone.

Kenji: No Maria...YOU don't understand. I didn't ask to be this way...I didn't ask to be abandoned and become an experiment. I didn't ask to be beaten, battered, and tortured to the blink of the death...and more importantly...

Kenji's eyes turned emotionless.

Kenji: I didn't ask to be an monster.

Maria:.....

Kenji: *Sighs* ...Do not bother talking to me again unless it's something very important...

Maria: Kenji! Wait-!

He slammed the door on her face as Maria felt tears fall.

She brought this upon herself.

Unlike many others who would forgive and forget after an misunderstanding, Kenji can't forgive those who wronged him.

Maria:*Sobs* I'm so sorry....nya...

"Friendship will be tested..."

A/N: QOTD: Is it really too late for Maria to apologise?