"You're crazy." Hawks' eyes widen once he realizes what my previous idea was. My smile gets wider when I see his face. Ethan had already left us to go exploring in this park. I'm not too concerned about leaving him alone though. He's really independent and dependable. Plus I don't think he could sit and listen through another conversation. That is if he understand every word he said. Even though he's better verbally, he's learning level is still really low.

"No, I'm just thinking." I grin at him. He doesn't look irritated or annoyed. I'd even say he looks a little amused. But it's not like I'd even notice if he was. Being a pro hero and all, I'd assume he's good at hiding his emotions.  

"Denki this isn't the greatest you've ever head." He runs his fingers through his hair and he chuckles a bit. It's a positive sign, but I know he's probably thinking about the actual idea seriously.

"When have I ever said that this was a great idea? I just said it was an idea." I shrug because well it's true. I can't deny the fact that this isn't a good idea. There's so many reasons why it isn't, but at the same time it's better.

"I'm a Pro Hero. I can't just take care of him all the time, I won't have time to do that and work." And there's a reason. Hawks is a Pro Hero the third one too! He doesn't have all the time in the world to be watching Ethan. Especially this kid who doesn't know basic education and who might have some mental problems. No one should be okay with talking about their parents. And so casually too. Could've at least shed one tear or something.

"Believe it or not, but he's okay with staying in an apartment for long periods of time. Though you wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?" I don't really know what I'm doing anymore. Hawks doesn't seem like he'll agree to this idea anytime soon.

"No. Shit. This is crazy." I've never heard him curse before so this could either mean something good or something bad. I'm hoping it means he's going to be reckless and say yes to watching Ethan.

"He's undocumented. Technically dead! No one will know if you took him in. What are they gonna do? Look for a dead kid at the pro hero's house who announced that he was dead?" I don't want to guilt trip him, but I want to guilt trip him. If Ethan was here I'd make him stare at Hawks until he caved or something. 

"And who will take care of him when I'm out patrolling?" He starts to pace in front of the bench. I'm surprised no one has spotted him by now. The conversation is..... going. Smoothly? I don't know. But I think we're getting somewhere. 

"You will of course." I say as if it's obvious. Because it is. 

"Unbelievable." He laughs dryly. He rustles his feathers before sighing.

"You won't regret it. He's a great kid. He might be seven and not know much about the world, but isn't it exciting to teach him all about it? I just know he'd love to stay with you too!" Guilt Trip. Guilt Trip. Guilt Trip.

"Denki, I don't think I can watch over him. It just wouldn't be safe for him. I'm a pro hero. This job is dangerous not only on the field, but to those you care about. Civilians can be easily kidnapped without anyone knowing. What if someone sees him with me and decided to target him?"

"Then keep him a secret."

"You're not leaving me with many options here." He laughs before sitting down with me on the bench. It's then that I can see Ethan behind him running in the grass. Hawks' wings must've blocked my view before.  Glad to know Ethan is okay though.

"Wasn't trying to anyways."

"Denki this is a complicated situation. You and I both know that. Ethan is a great kid and I know you want the best for him and I do too, but I-" He stops mid sentence to sigh. I know he's trying to figure out how to word the fact that he can't and won't watch over Ethan, but I just don't want to believe it.

"No no, you're right. I shouldn't have just sprung this whole idea on you without letting you properly think it over. You just learned that Ethan was alive after assuming he was dead for months and I haven't 'been helping with the rush of information. It'll be dangerous to live with you, you're right, but I can't help but wish." I feel as water forms at the corner of my eyes. "I don't really know what his house used to be like. You heard him, it doesn't sound right. How he talks so casually about it. I just know it wasn't the greatest, but he doesn't know that. Whatever his parents ingrained into his little head made him think that this was all normal, is so damaging. I just want him to be actually happy you know? I mean he's okay living like this. Just look at him running in the grass with no care in the world. But the streets aren't the best place for a growing kid like him. I would watch him myself, but I- i can't. Please Hawks. He doesn't deserve this."

"Dammit I can't believe I'm doing this. Fine, I'll watch the kid." He presses his fingers to the bridge of his nose. He looks like he's done with this conversation and me.

"Y-you will?" I almost don't believe him. Could you blame me? This is great!

"Yeah. Since he's actually alive and didn't die in the fire I'll have to figure out what happened to his family. The whole situation is suspicious and I'll have to interrogate him without informing the police or my agency. It'll be tough, but I have to do it. He technically was my case that I failed, so I have to make that up for the both of us." He stands up and stretches. 

"Hawks no are you serious? You'll really let him stay with you?"

"Yeah sure why not? He can use m apartment as a place to stay for the nights and mornings. It's not too far off from here so he'll know the town. He'll be fine, but I can't watch him when I'm out and about during the day hours."

"N-no you can bring him here! Not this park exactly, but outside the house in this town. Bring him to the alley!" If Ethan has a place that's warm for the winter where he can get shelter and food for the night then he'll be all set. Mr. Sho can watch him during the day. It'll be similar to before, only he won't sleep with them. It's perfect!

"To the alley..... a child.... are you hearing yourself right now Denki?"

"I know I sound crazy, but hear me out! He can stay with the people in the alley. He's been staying with them already and he loves them all. They're nice and care for Ethan as if he was their own son."

"And you want me to let them watch over Ethan?"

"Yeah! Like I said they've already been doing it. It was mainly Ethan not being used to the weather and conditions of living outside. He stayed inside for so long, you can't just throw him out and expect him to survive. He needs a safe home to go to as well as learning about the outside world. He has to have both, he can't have one without the other.

Hawks stares at me for a moment before smirking. "Can I at least meet these people?"

I beam at him

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I honestly think their meeting went well. Hopefully. Ethan didn't seem like he minded staying with Hawks though he only calls him bird, so I don't know if he fully processed it. But other than that Hawks and Mr. Sho really got along with each other. They were throwing sarcastic jokes at each other for ten minutes before they actually got to the idea. It was nice. Mr. Sho even cried when I told him Hawks would watch over Ethan during the nights. Lin was the one who ran to tell the others. They threw a little party and Hawks was the hero of it all. I thought they gave up on heroes. But for once they actually seemed happy about one. I'm happy for them too.

Ethan went home with Hawks tonight too so it'll be his first night at Hawks' apartment. Even though Hawks had more patrolling to do he decided to take the afternoon off to show Ethan around and buy him some necessities. I hope I didn't get him in trouble with his agency. I know it's his, but he always wants to delay going back there. Maybe it's just really boring and tiring. Maybe.

I'm going back to school. To the dorms that is. I'm not that far away from it. It's a short train ride to get to the town, but it's not too dark out and I feel like going for a walk. I need to collect my thoughts. Think everything through.

I still have to get Toshi some ADHD medicine. I asked Mr. Sho about it and he said he'd get back to me soon. I think Toshi will be fine for now though. He hasn't really had an appetite since everything happened so I don't think he'd be willing to swallow his medicine. Kai has be more quiet and reserved too. Toshi usually brings him out of his shell, but he's no better at the moment. Aiko is stressed about it and she said she's willing to take them to the doctor's for me but it's a bad idea. They'd inform Dad since he's their guardian and I don't want Aiko or the kids getting in trouble for something that I caused. The only one that seems to be doing better is Sumie. I'm able to leave her for school hours and maybe even days as long as I call once a day and visit at least every week. I visit the kids and Aiko before I go back home so it's every other day usually and weekends too. Koji isn't in his best state of mind, but I think he's coming around. Aiko told me he does random things in the library from time to time without her asking him to do it. She even said he doesn't answer unless she calls for him specifically to. It's a bit odd and I remember him doing something like that in the beginning of the year. He'd grown out of it and I thought he got past from his fear. But not anymore I suppose. The person who surprised me the most is Haru. I think he's upset with me. He hasn't spoken to me since the event whether that be with his words or sign language. He only responds to Aiko and that's with nods and head shakes only. No sign language. No speaking. I don't know if he talks to the other kids though. They wouldn't tell me anyways.

I pull my hood down when I pass a news reporter. I think there was a fight here yesterday but I can't say for sure. All I know is that I don't want her recognizing me. Ever since Bakugou got kidnapped and saved that ended up with All Might retiring, people have tried to find more reasons as to why U.A. is at fault. The day after he was saved U.A. and his house was bombarded with news reporters. And when Bakugou yelled at them to leave him alone, several stations said that he threatened them. They said he was a villain. Maybe a U.A. traitor and that's why he got kidnapped.

I try not to think about it too much. There couldn't be a U.A. traitor. Especially not in Class 1A. We've gone through so much together. It would be impossible to think that we'd accuse each other from some dumb rumor or something a news station said. We love each other and that's not gonna happen. Well. At least I think we do. Some people might not be too happy with me like Jirou or Mina. But Mina has gone back to normal so I guess it was the stress of losing Bakugou. Even though she didn't apologize, I forgive her. She was going through a hard time. Same with Jirou. She was hospitalized for so long. She must be worried about school since she got back recently. And the fear of getting hurt had to be traumatizing. I'm glad she's talking to the others about it. I'm a bit sad she wont talk to me as much as she used to, but like I said before she's just taking her anger out on someone. I'm okay if that's me. Better someone who can handle it rather than someone who can't.

 Which reminds me that I get to go back to the school dorms today. It's been a week or maybe less since I've spent the night there. Mr. Aizawa gave me permission to go home for the week, but Dad let me go the dorms today. I'm happy to be back, but I hope he's doing okay. I think he kept me with him for so long because he was afraid of losing me. It's my fault really. I disappeared for almost two weeks without telling him. He must've been so scared. He held me close each night. He kept on telling me how much I reminded him of my mom. How I look exactly like her just with shorter hair. I know it's probably not true. She must;'ve been so pretty. I could never look like her. But I do wonder. What did she look like? Dad doesn't let me see pictures of her. He says it's for the best. 

I smile while taking my hood off. I don't know when I made it, must've been too lost in my thoughts, but I'm in front of the class' dorms. I take a deep breath before pushing open the door. I freeze in the doorway when I see everyone sitting down on or by the couches. I would've just left it at that since it's a Friday and they might be watching a movie but the tv is turned off and they all look surprised to see me. As if they weren't expecting me to come back. Which is my bad since I wasn't here during the week and I didn't give them an explanation as to why.

"Um... Hi guys?" I wave at them yet no one really answers me. Momo does perk up a bit and she seems as though she's gonna wave back but she stops herself before doing so. I look at Jirou who is looking at her. That was weird.

"What are you guys doing?" I take my shoes off and my jacket. I look around the room to see everyone still staring at me, but it's different. They don't look at me surprised. Instead I see Bakugou looking angry, which is usual. Hagukure is latching on to Ojiro's arm and he looks protective of her, Iida looks tense, Momo is confused, Jirou is angry too, Mina and Sero look scared, and Kirishima looks disappointed. Everyone else isn't really showing distinct emotions though it's pretty similar to the rest anyways.

"Were talking. You know as a class? But I guess you wouldn't know since you weren't here.... as usual." Jirou answers first and I get happy. It's been a while since she's talked to me since her outburst. She's even being sarcastic with me again! 

"Oh, sorry about that. I was with my dad this afternoon. Well every afternoon. He hasn't been feeling well lately so I stayed home after school so I could watch and take care of him this past week. I got permission from Aizawa if you were wondering too..." I trail off. Something about this seems off, but I don't know why. Maybe it's because I haven't seen them other than school in so long.

"Your dad?" Kirishima asks yet he doesn't look at me. Instead he's looking at the others with a nervous glance.

"Yeah? I know you guys haven't met him before or anything, but I'm pretty sure I've talked about him before." I scratch the back of my neck. This is such a weird conversation. It feels as though everyone else is against me right now. 

Kirishima goes quiet after that. He looks to be contemplating my answer. I look at the others for a bit before I notice Sero looking at Jirou before looking at me. "What about your mom?"

"I um, I don't know too much about her. I don't even know who she is.... She left me when I was really young so I can't say for sure." Really young as in I don't own a picture of her and me together. Dad said she left only a few weeks after my birth. He said she hated every second of it. I look away from Sero to see Mina. The same thing happens again. Jirou and Mina look at each other before she turns to me.

"And so your dad adopted your foster siblings?" She visibly cringes at her own words and I do too somewhat. The questions look like they're getting personal and I don't think they'll stop anytime soon with them. I don't even know why they're asking me in the first place. I thought they were just upset I left and didn't tell them, but there's something else going on isn't there?

"Yeah um. I love all of them even though some of them have been here for only a year. They're still my siblings though. Plus they're really cute aren't they?" I laugh a little hoping someone else would too. Momo gives me a soft smile and Tsuyu chuckles a bit. Other than those two, no one else acknowledges it. 

"Yeah yeah super adorable. Didn't you say you had a job?" Jirou rolls her eyes before pressing on. Mina and Momo, who are both sitting on opposite sides of Jirou, look at her in a bit of shock. Maybe they weren't expecting her to ask me so bluntly. 

"Well um. It's nothing fun or exciting to talk about. It's just, you know, a job." I shrug because it's true. I work at a restaurant and a convenience store. There's nothing too exciting that happens in either place. I work back in the kitchen and the only action I see is a stray cat that made it's way to the back. And the convenience store is pretty tame itself too. The elderly couple that runs it are sweet and let's me take candy home to the kids on holidays, so it's not so terrible. It wasn't even bad to begin with, just long and tiring.

"Why?" Ochaco perks up from her spot next to Midoriya and Iida. I know she goes to work herself whenever her parents need it. I never told her or anyone really, that I have financial issues of my own.

"Just to help my dad out." I mumble a bit. I'm okay with telling them I might not be the richest person out there, but I feel like it'd make me seem like some victim when I'm not. If I make it seem like it's not a big deal then they won't take it that seriously.

"ask him!" Jirou whispers to Kirishima who's standing right behind her. She nudges him with one of her jacks which jolts him to speak up.

"Oh well! Denki!" He laughs nervously at me. I tilt my head to wait for him to continue and eventually he does. "You know Haru, the uh.. the one with the silver gray hair? Why doesn't he go to school with the rest of your siblings?" Bakugou whose standing right next to him eyes' widen in realization. He figured something out that the others didn't. But what is it? "I mean he was here all day during school hours. I've seen him sitting in the common area while reading a book before whenever I forget a textbook in my room. I don't know if he ever noticed me, but I noticed him. Which is surprising since he's really quiet."

"He's uh, well he's homeschooled." I whisper. I look at my classmates who seem to be processing the information. Everyone, but Bakugou and Jirou. "Is something going on? Why are you all asking me so many questions all of a sudden?"

For a moment a see a flash of fear and panic rush through Jirou's face before it returns back to normal. It softens a bit when she answers me.

"No, we were just a bit curious if you didn't mind. I mean you took the kids away so fast and sudden without any goodbyes for some reason. So we haven't really had a long time to talk to them."

"Oh I'm sorry about that. I didn't think about it at the time." I thought she wanted them gone? Is this not what she wanted? Or is it that she was  just aggravated and lashed out when she didn't mean it? I'm confused.

"And they're all so shy. It's so surprising since you're hyper so I would've thought they'd be bouncing off the walls and yet they were reading books and talking quietly to themselves."

"It's just because I got that extra electricity stored in me, ya know?! They don't have electricity based quirks so I guess it wouldn't be the same." I talk in my usual cheeky tone. 

"Uh huh." She nods her head.

"Um can I go now? T-to my room that is. I planned on going to sleep early.... Unless you had more questions than I'll answer them before!" I want to go to bed now. Dad is expecting me to come early tomorrow since he has to go somewhere in the afternoon. If I oversleep it won't be good.

"Just one more thing if you don't mind me asking?" Everyone turns to face her while looking confused.

"Anything for you Momo!" I smile at her and she returns it before frowning again.

"Are you okay Kaminari?" I freeze at her question. Do I not look okay? Other than my neck, nothing else should look off. Plus she's too far away to even notice the not so subtle color difference.

"Yeah of course. Why do you ask?"

"You've just seemed off as of recently and it had me a bit worried. Did something happen?" She's actually concerned for me? This isn't fake?

"no."

"You sure Kaminari? We are all classmates here and classmates help each other. We're here for you if you're going through something." She's so sweet. Always thinking of others.

"Well. The only thing is the kids got sick and I guess it just scared me a bit. I haven't seen them sick like this before." It's true. they're so distant now. I rarely even see them talking to each other unless it's Toshi and Kai. They're off in their own little world.

"Oh no that sounds horrible! Is there anything I can do to aid you? You're probably more skilled in the sibling department than I am, but I'm willing to lend a hand. That is if you don't mind?" I don't think the kids would be willing to see anybody if she planned on visiting. Maybe she could make them a teddy bear?

I go over the possibilities a bit before my eyes flicker from Momo's and onto Jirou's. She's glaring at me. I try to figure out why before the memory pops up. "You know a lot of people like taking advantage of Momo's generosity and it's getting to the point where it's just plain rude. It's like you said, she already does so much for you, but have you done anything for her? No. You just take and take, but you never give. Don't even get me started on you being a shit brother."

"I-i I think I'll be fine. They're feeling better now anyways... it was just a scare is all." I stutter.

"If you say so." She doesn't look fully sold on my answer, but she doesn't press any further which I'm glad.

"Well um, I think I'm going to go to sleep now. Have fun with what you were doing. Goodnight." No one responds. I walk to the elevator trying to process what just happened.

What's going on?

Did I do something wrong?

Why did they all look at me like that? 

Do they hate me?