Kirishima's POV

The rest of the class continues with the therapy as Aizawa and Hound Dog "find accommodations" for my friends. Apparently Koto will do her therapy on a later date, so she was allowed to go home while Bakugo has to complete his alone with our school's therapist. JJ keeps us around until 5 pm, so after we're free to go, I meet up with Denki, Hanta, and Mina to grab something for dinner in the city. 

"Do you think Koto's gonna be okay?" Mina asks, tugging on my arm as we walk down the hill, something that I have to try to ignore. 

"She'll be alright," I say over the loud pounding of my heart. "She just needs time. It was probably too soon after what happened for her to meet up with everyone."

"I guess…"

"I hope she feels better," Hanta says. "I can't imagine what she's gone through. I mean, to lose all your happiness?" He shudders. "She's pretty brave to even come to this today."

I nod solemnly. I just wish there was something I could do. 

•°•°•°•

A letter comes in the mail from UA not too long after the therapy incident. It discusses the construction of dorms for all the UA students and staff. Live at school? I thought that was only something that universities did. But I guess it makes more sense than all of us commuting every day. 

But what about our families? I close the letter and look over at my parents as they cook dinner, smiling and laughing with each other. We're expected to just pack up and leave? I guess we can't stay here forever; that would put them in danger. I just thought I had more time with them.

But it's not like I'll never be back, right? I mean there will still be vacation and I can visit them whenever I want. But these dorms mean that UA believes we're in danger, and our families by extension. 

I stand from the table and walk over to them. "Hey, moms?" I ask, lifting the envelope as they turn around, still smiling. 

As she sees the serious look on my face, Ma wipes her hands on a towel and walks over, her smile falling. "What's that?"

"It's a letter from UA," I say, handing it over. "They're building student accommodations because of all of the recent attacks. It's of course our own decision, but it would mean I would be living there for most of the year."

"What?" Mom asks, reading over Ma's shoulder. After a moment, they share a glance and look back to me. "It makes sense…" she trails off warily. 

"But we'd be so lonely without our Ei," Ma exclaims, grabbing my cheeks with an over exaggerated pout. 

"C'mon, Ma. This is serious," I say, smiling despite myself. "They think we could all be in danger if I stay here."

"I have to admit, I was nervous about you commuting so far every day," Mom says. "It would make me worry less if you were already there. Of course we would miss you, but your principal makes a good argument. We knew this would be a dangerous job, but if it's what you want to do, it's better if you're there."

I feel a twinge deep in my chest as I walk over to her and wrap her in a hug. "Thank you for understanding." She squeezes me tight as Ma joins in. "I'll miss you guys so much, but it's what's safest for all of us."

"Of course," Mom whispers. 

We pull away and they look back over the letter. "Looks like one of your teachers will be here tomorrow to discuss it with us," Ma says, brow furrowed. "They're cutting it close, aren't they? What if we didn't get the mail today? What if we were on vacation?"

"I'm sure principal Nezu would've somehow figured out a way to let us know," I say, remembering the final exam where he showed off his capabilities. "He certainly keeps tabs on all of us."

"He's a strange man," Mom comments, folding the letter up and putting it on the counter. "It says you'll be moving in a week and a half from today."

"How quickly are they going to build those things?" Ma exclaims. "That's not nearly enough time to build a structurally sound set of accommodations. Especially since each class will be in a different building! How many is that?"

"I don't know," I say, "but it's crazy what they can do. They probably hired every construction company in the prefecture to help."

"Oh the things money can buy," Ma says, rolling her eyes as she goes back to cooking. 

Mom grabs a pen and paper and hands them to me. "Make a list of things you'll need. We can go shopping this weekend and start packing all your stuff.”

I take the items and rush upstairs, trying to think of whatever I’ll need for a dorm room. As I enter my room, I pause and look around. I can’t believe I don’t have that much time left in here.

With that, I begin shuffling through my drawers to sort stuff out.

•°•°•°•

“Excuse me for one moment,” my homeroom teacher says over the ringing of his cell phone. The pro hero sits across from my moms and I on a sofa and digs in his pocket for the device. Upon finding it, he looks at the screen and rolls his eyes, answering.

“What is so important, Hizashi, that requires you to call five times in one minute?” Aizawa growls into the phone.

“KOTO’S MISSING!” I hear Present Mic scream from the other end. My teacher holds the phone away from his ear with wide eyes.

My heart drops into my gut as he makes brief eye contact with me, then stands, putting his hand over the speaker and walks into the adjacent room. “Pardon me,” he mumbles.

I strain to listen in on the conversation, but Ma puts a hand on my forearm and shakes her head solemnly.

“But Ma!” I exclaim. “That’s my friend he’s talking about!”

“That sort of thinking has gotten you into enough trouble already,” Mom states matter-of-factly. "If they need your help to search, you can go, but until then, let them handle it."

I don't respond, instead opting to continue trying to listen in. It's all in vain though when my teacher walks back in. 

"It appears as though we're done here," he says, whisking out the door. "Move in is on the 29th, Kirishima. I'll see you there."

"Wait!" I shout, standing up. "Mr. Aiza-"

The door slams shut behind him and cuts me off. I rush over to fling the door open, but my teacher is already getting into a sleek black car and speeding away. 

"Ei," Mom says from behind me. "I'm sure they'll give us more information when they find out more."

"She's my friend," I say quietly, walking back inside. "He could've at least told me to my face."

"I know," she mumbles, her and Ma exchanging looks. 

"Don't let this be another Bakugo situation," Ma says. 

"Ma!" I exclaim exasperatedly.

"She's right," Mom interjects. "When it comes to your friends, you tend to act before thinking."

"That's what it means to be a hero!"

"Look, you don't have any information on the situation and it may be better and easier for the actual pros to deal with this. I'm sure it's nothing you could've prevented and they certainly have the skill set to deal with things like this."

"Your mother and I just don't want you to get in trouble again," Ma says, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Just wait until we know more, okay?"

I sigh and go back into the living room. "I guess that makes sense."

For the rest of the day, I sit and wait, constantly checking my phone for any updates from anyone. Every time the landline rings, I feel my pulse rising, but it's always from either family or a spam call. I try to appear calm, but my thoughts are going a mile a minute. My parents put on a movie to try and calm my nerves, but I can't focus on it. 

Late afternoon, I send a couple texts to Koto with no response. 

Me: Hey!

Me: Haven't heard from u in a while

Me: I know things have been tough lately but I don't want u to think ur alone

Me: I'm here if u need me just lmk

Later in the night, my nerves get the better of me, so I go upstairs to the bonus room to work out, but it only makes my thoughts run more rampant. After a while, I can't take it anymore, so I text in our class group chat. 

Me: Hey has anybody heard from Koto recently??

It only takes a couple seconds to start getting responses. 

Midoriya: No, but I think that's to be expected. She's been through a lot recently

Tokoyami: I bet she'd want some time to herself

Denki⚡: It makes sense tho what jj was saying

Denki⚡: We're here for her but she has to be the one to let us in

Yaoyorozu: She will talk to us when she's ready

Iida: We shouldn't disturb her

I get another alert and go over to another text conversation. 

Uraraka: Please stop. You don't understand what's happening, so please don't make everyone alarmed

I text back immediately, my heart pounding

Me: So u know what's happening with Koto?

Of course she does! She's her best friend! I guess I should've gone to her first before making the class start talking about her.

Uraraka: I'm sorry, I can't say anything right now

Me: But do u know if she's okay??

Uraraka: I don't, I'm sorry. Look you'll find out what's happening soon enough

Me: What? Really? Why?

Uraraka: Just keep your phone on you. I can't say anymore until we're all together. It's not my job to say anyway

Me: Okay

Me: Are u okay tho?

Uraraka: I've been better. Just keep your phone on

Me: Will do

I go back over to the group chat to see what people are saying. 

Alien Queen: Koto, if you're reading this, we're here for youuuuu!🤗🤗

Tsu: Although I agree that we need to be there for her, we shouldn't be bugging her too much, Mina, ribbit

She even ribbits when she texts? Weird.

Alien Queen: I know, but I just want her to know I'm here 

Shoji: We're all here for her

Hagakure: I can't imagine all that she's gone through

Denki⚡: Yee I hate that I can't do anything

Me: She probably just doesn't want to talk right now

Me: Sorry to worry you guys

Yaoyorozu: It's okay, Kirishima. It's only natural that you'd be worried about your friend

Todoroki: She hasn't come to me either. Sorry I'm a little late. 

Midoriya: It's okay Todoroki

Sato: This year has been a lot for all of us. It makes sense if she wants some time to herself

Hanta: It's unbelievable to think we're still teenagers. We've lived through more than a lot of adults have

Tokoyami: Tis the life of a hero

Unknown: Hello Class 1-A! This is principal Nezu! Don't worry about how I'm in this conversation and don't try messaging this number, as it will be immediately terminated following this message! Koto Yamada's location is currently unknown and we are looking for any information you can give us. An emergency meeting is being held in one hour at an undisclosed location. Cars are being sent to your houses to escort you. Any information you can bring will be of use. 

Denki⚡: What the hell was that?

Yaoyorozu: Koto is missing?

I guess that's what Uraraka was talking about.

Ojiro: Somebody just knocked at my door

Alien Queen: Same! Geez Nezu is efficient

I hop up and run to throw on some clean clothes, toweling off the sweat from my workout. 

"Are you going somewhere?" Mom asks when I walk down the stairs. 

"I guess. I just got a message from the principal about Koto," I say, putting on my shoes. "Apparently there's a meeting in an hour and they're sending cars for us."

My parents exchange glances. "Stay safe, Ei," Ma says, looking over her shoulder at me. 

"Will do," I say as a knock comes at the door. 

I open it to see a large man in a black suit. He holds up an official UA ID and says "Eijiro Kirishima, this is your official UA escort, please come with us."

I nod and follow him out to a large black SUV, complete with UA insignias on the side doors. I slide in and see a familiar face. 

"Hey Kiri," Mina says as I buckle myself in. 

"Hey," I say quietly. 

"I'm really worried about Koto," she mumbles, looking out the window. 

"Me too."

I hear her sniffle and look around her curly hair to see a tear running down her cheek. An idea comes to me and I immediately feel my face heat up as my heart thuds in my chest. I fight through both sensations as I reach out and grab her hand. I hear her breath hitch and I'm about to pull away when she squeezes my hand tightly in return.

------Author's Note------

Hey guys!

Wow it's been a while! I wanted to wait until school finished for the year to upload the next part since I don't have many chapters prepared after this. I'm hoping to write more now that I have free time, but I'm also going back to work, so who knows how much I'll be able to write. I don't want to promise anything right now, but I certainly have many ideas outlined.

I appreciate all the love and support you've been giving this story! It makes me feel so special.

Anyways, best of luck to all of you in whatever you're up to, whether it's work or school, or just life in general.