"Why the hell are you following me?!" I scoffed, turning to glare at Bakugo and his entourage. 

"I'M NOT!" Bakugo roared, hands balled into fists.

Kaminari folded his arms behind his head casually, smirking. "We're just walking this way too."

I rolled my eyes.

Kirishima smiled apologetically. "We're actually just going to Bakugo's house for a study session! I guess he lives in the same direction!"

"Not really," I shrugged. "I'm actually supposed to meet Midoriya at his place, I'm just running a little late."

"You and Midoriya live nearby, right Bakugo?" Kaminari asked.

"Why would you care dumbass?" Bakugo scoffed.

"Calm down Bakugo," Kirishima chuckled. "No need to be so hostile, why don't we all walk together?"

"I'm not going anywhere with this nerd!" Bakugo protested.

"Great idea Kirishima!" Kaminari exclaimed. "We're all going that way anyway."

"So you're not even going to ask me if I want to walk with you?" I sighed.

"Don't be a downer Jiji!" Kaminari chirped, slinging an arm over my shoulder.

I lightly pushed him away with my elbow, grumbling to myself. "Am I going to regret letting you call me that?"

Kaminari grinned. "Probably."

"Whatever," I sighed. "Let's just go already."

We were only about a week into school, but surprisingly I managed to adjust to the prestigious environment fairly quickly. Sure the classes were difficult and I didn't look like prestigious school material, but with people like Midoriya, Tenya, and Uraraka in my corner, the classwork was getting easier. I was also surprised at how easy my classmates were to get along with. I talked to some of them more than others, but I couldn't say that I hated any of them so far. Bakugo may be a shit head, but I didn't hate him. Not yet at least.

Somehow I also managed to fit myself into two main groups in my class. Midoriya's little friend group, and somehow I managed to squeeze my way into Bakugo's. It wasn't my intention to hang out with Bakugo, but I was sort of friends with Kaminari and Kirishima, so if I hung out with them Bakugo was almost certain to also be around. As a result of hanging out with Bakugo's friend group, I also got introduced to Sero (Mr. ELBOWS as I had called him), and I talked a little bit more with Mina, though she hung out with the girls a lot more. Bakugo and I weren't going to be buddies anytime soon, but as of now, we have a sort of truce.

"So, why'd you come to UA?" I asked absentmindedly, glancing at Kirishima.

"Whoa, what's with the sudden conversation?" Kaminari asked.

"I just don't like walking in silence," I shrugged. "So Kirishima, why'd you come to UA?"

"Because it's one of the best hero schools out there, all I want is to become a hero and save people while being manly!" Kirishima exclaimed. "Like Crimson Riot!"

"What about you Kaminari?" I asked.

"Fame, money, girls!" Kaminari replied. "There are so many perks that come with being a hero, and with a quirk like mine it'll be a piece of cake."

"A very you kind of answer." I chuckled.

"What about you Bakugo?" Kirishima asked.

"None of your damn business." Bakugo scoffed.

"And that was a very Bakugo answer." I chuckled.

"What about you Jiji?" Kaminari asked. "Why'd you come to UA?"

"Well I-" I cut myself off, making eye contact with a tattooed man across the street. "Oh shit."

"What is it?" Kirishima asked, his grin disappearing in an instant.

"YOU BITCH!" The man roared, jumping over a parked car and across the road in a single leap.

"Not good!" I exclaimed, grabbing hold of Kaminari and Kirishima.

"What the hell did you do?!" Bakugo roared, running after me.

"Long story!" I exclaimed. "I'll explain later, but we have to lose him first!"

"Uh, he's gaining on us!" Kaminari screamed.

"It's his quirk!" I hissed. "He can essentially jump really far!"

"I'LL RIP YOUR FUCKING SPINE OUT YOU LITTLE SHIT!" The man roared, making another huge leap.

His arm grabbed for me as I reached into my pocket, pulling out a small, pen and making it into something resembling a dagger. I poked his palm, making him flinch back in pain. 

"I need to make a phone call!" I exclaimed. "Distract him!"

Just as I yelled out an explosion went off in his face, causing him to become blind temporarily. 

"You're a lifesaver Bakugo!" Kaminari cried out in joy.

"Shut up and get behind me," Bakugo growled. "I'll blow this bastard to pieces!"

"Kaminari, let's guard Tora while she makes her phone call!" Kirishima yelled.

"R-right!" Kaminari agreed.

I fumbled with my phone, scrolling quickly through my contacts before pressing the call button. The phone only rang twice before he picked up.

"Jiji, why are you so late? I was getting worried..." Midoriya started.

"No time to explain, there's been a change of plans," I sighed. "Is Tenya there?"

"Yeah, he is, why?" Midoriya replied.

"Great, I'm sending my location, get here ASAP!" I exclaimed. "It's an emergency."

I hung up after that, turning my attention back to Bakugo and the large man. Despite the fact that he had pulled a gun, Bakugo seemed undeterred in fighting him.

"Are the police on their way?" Kirishima asked.

"Well, no, not exactly..." I replied.

"What the hell do you mean not exactly?!" Kaminari screamed.

A blur shot around the corner, not halting in its movement before slamming into the man.

"RECIPRO BURST!"

Tenya skid to a stop, letting Midoriya off his back as the man fell unconscious.

I practically felt Bakugo's eyebrows twitch upon their arrival. I flinched as Midoriya's burning green eyes made eye contact with mine. 

"Again?!" Midoriya exclaimed, seeming to not notice Bakugo's presence at all. "How many times is this going to happen again?!"

"Sorry guys," I sheepishly apologized. "I didn't honestly think I'd see him again."

"That was highly irresponsible of you!" Tenya scolded me. "But I am glad you're all fine! As your class president, I wouldn't want any of you to be injured!"

"Somebody mind telling me what the hell just happened?" Kaminari exclaimed, which seemed to finally make Midoriya realize that there were others there.

"Kacchan!" Midoriya exclaimed. 

"Deku..." Bakugo growled back.

Kirishima looked like he was physically in pain as he attempted a light-hearted grin.

I couldn't help but grimace, awkwardly offering a suggestion. "So, how about we get some snacks and head to my place, yeah?"

Kaminari and Kirishima nodded in agreeance. Bakugo didn't say anything, but he silently followed the group as I lead them towards the convenience store I often visited.

~~~~~

The clerk looked up from his magazine as the bell above the door chimed, almost immediately he noticed the group following in behind me. Midoriya and Tenya gave him a little nod before going inside as the clerk chuckled.

"Always nice seeing you again Piercings," He chuckled. "Though I didn't expect to see you hanging out with even more people, they all UA students too?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "We're grabbing snacks and then heading over to my place."

"Cool," He chirped. "Tell your little brother I said hello, next time you stop by I'll give you some more freebies."

"You spoil me." I rolled my eyes.

"Call it a donation," He replied. "I can't just let you die on me."

"You make it sound like I live off shitty chicken wings you give me for free." I scoffed. 

"Whatever," He chuckled. "Just hurry up and get out of here, you're all eyesores."

"Says the one who's been single for the past two years." I retorted. 

"Ouch," He winced. "Really feeling the love here."

"Oh shut up," I replied. "Act your age."

He stuck his tongue out at me and I rolled my eyes, leading Kirishima, Kaminari, and Bakugo into the store. Midoriya and Tenya were already filling up on their favourite cheap snacks, grabbing a few extras they would most likely give to Kuse since everyone adored him apparently. 

"Don't go overboard on the snacks guys, you're all paying for some." I said before wandering off towards where they kept the chips. 

My right hand twitched towards my pocket, feeling for the familiar shape of a cigarette package that was notably missing.

"Hey," The clerk called again, grabbing my attention. "Take these, you look like you could need them."

He tossed a small box my way and I easily caught it, smiling tiredly at the slightly crumpled box.

"Thanks man," I sighed. "It's definitely been one of those days."

So much for quitting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Curious blue eyes peeked out from behind the door, opening the door wider when he saw who it was.

"Hey, sis!" Kuse chirped, his eyes scanning through the group of boys. "Hi, Izuku! Hi, Tenya!"

"Hey there Kuse," Midoriya greeted. "How've you been?"

"I'm okay, but my history homework is really hard," Kuse frowned, then looked at Midoriya hopefully. "Can you help me?"

"In a bit," Midoriya agreed. "We have something we have to talk about with our friends here first."

Kuse opened the door wider. "Yay! Tora made more friends!"

I sighed. "Well, come on in guys."

~~~~~~~~~~

Tenya, Midoriya, and Kuse sat comfortably on the sofa, with Bakugo, Kaminari, and Kirishima sitting opposite them on the floor. I sat on the open windowsill, a lit cigarette in one hand.

Kaminari opened his mouth to say something, but I shot him down.

"Yes, I smoke on occasion, get over it," I barked. "I only brought you all to explain what just happened, not to judge my habits."

"You said you'd stop sis..." Kuse mumbled.

"I know, and I will," I sighed, glancing at my younger brother. "I'm just stressed."

I suddenly heard the keys jingle in the door, bringing everyone's attention to the front door. After only a few moments, my mother walked in, making a beeline to the kitchen.

"My fucking head is killing me," She groaned. "Tora, where's the Tylenol?"

I moved my cigarette out of sight quickly. "I moved it, in the bathroom medicine cabinet, the second shelf."

She finally glanced towards me, her eyes landing on every guy in the room for a second. "Oh, didn't realize you had people over... Well, whatever, just be quiet, I have to go to work in an hour, I'm taking a nap."

She then disappeared into the bathroom, her long lilac hair cascading behind her.

I went back to puffing on my cigarette, turning my attention back to my guests.

I sighed. "Where should I begin?"

"How about who that guy was and why he was after you?" Kaminari suggested.

"I don't know his real name, all I know is that we met online and met up once so I could sell him something..." I shrugged. 

"Tora..." Midoriya said with a scolding tone.

"Fine, fine," I grumbled. "I was selling him cheaply made guns for some quick cash."

There was a moment of silence before Kuse stood up, aggressively walking up to me.

"Jiji!" He exclaimed. "You said you stopped!"

"I'm sorry," I cringed. "But we needed the money."

"What about your mom?" Kirishima asked. "You said she worked?"

"She has a job yeah," I replied sheepishly. "But it doesn't pay very much."

"What about your damn dad?" Bakugo scoffed.

"Kuse and I don't have the same parents, we have the same mom but different fathers," I replied, placing a hand on my brother's head. "I've never met my father and neither has Kuse, from what I know my father wants nothing to do with me and has never paid child support. Kuse's dad pays child support but only because he has a family already and never wanted to be any part of Kuse's life. Think of the money as insurance that my mother won't tell his wife."

Bakugo paused, crossing his arms in silence.

"Why haven't you contacted Social Services?" Kirishima asked. "They could probably do something to help."

"I won't call them," I grimaced. "I've already seen how they deal with situations like this. They split the kids up, send us to separate homes, and who knows what kind of people we'd be sent to live with. I'll take my chances here."

Kuse nodded sharply once in agreement.

"You don't have to agree with what I'm doing," I continued. "All I'm asking is that you turn a blind eye to it, got it? I don't want anyone to split me and Kuse up."

Kirishima and Kaminari nodded.

"Yeah, whatever..." Bakugo scoffed.

"Well that's the story," I shrugged. "I didn't expect I'd be forced to reveal this much of my personal life so soon, I've barely known you guys for more than a week or two. No offense."

"Don't worry about it," Kirishima chirped. "We're just glad that you're alright!"

Bakugo scoffed again and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but can you all leave?" I awkwardly asked. "It's been a long day and I still have math homework to do. Midoriya and Tenya can stay, they're helping me."

"No fair!" Kaminari exclaimed. "Mr. Ectoplasm's class is killing me!"

I groaned. "Fine! Stay, go, I don't care, let's just get this over with."

Bakugo stood to leave but was promptly grabbed by Kirishima.

"Come on dude," He said, grinning from ear to ear. "You understand this stuff better than I do."

Bakugo sat back down with a huff. "Fine, I'll stay, but I'm only helping Shitty Hair and Sparky."

Kaminari and Kirishima cheered and I rubbed my temple. I could certainly feel a headache coming on.

"Bakugo, don't smack Kaminari with your notes!" Tenya exclaimed.

"Don't tell me what to do nerd!"

I had a feeling I'd be needing that Tylenol. 

A/N

This chapter is about double the length of a usual chapter that I publish, I had wanted it to be two chapters but it felt weird to break it up in the middle so I just kept it as one long chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it! Look forward to next chapter as it will be the start of the USJ attack!

(Edited 2022.08.01)