"Ah, by the way, I was lying about the expulsion."

It was as if a huge burden was relieved from everyone's minds, as you can just everyone immediately let out a breath of relief and just relaxed. I could understand their worries and fears. Aizawa is famous for expelling an entire class, saying they weren't suitable to be heroes. But he liked this class.

I don't know why, but he liked this class.

I think. I'm not sure. Honestly, he's one of the people who will forever confuse me.

Aizawa grinned, "It was a rational deception, to draw out the upper limits of your quirk."

The class yelled in a mixture of anger and relief. A cocky smirk, once again, spread across my face. Sure, I had the advantage of knowing him all my life, but knowledge is knowledge.

"With that, we're done. There are handouts with the curriculum and such in the classroom. When you get back, look them over." He walked over to Izuku and handed him a little form.

I nudged my way through the crowd, trying to reach them.

"Midoriya, have the old lady fix you in the nurse's office. Tomorrow will be packed with more rigorous tests. Prepare yourself."

As everyone began to walk back into the main building, I placed a hand on Aizawa's shoulder. He glanced down at me, and his face dropped, "What?"

I puffed my cheeks in annoyance and crossed my arms, "You could at least pretend you're a little bit happy to see me."

He yawned, "Why would I do that?"

I resisted the urge to stomp my foot and yank my hair out from how frustrating he was being. Instead, I just cocked my head to the side and gave him a look, "Why didn't you tell me you were going to be my teacher? I would've been a lot less worried about today."

He looked at me, almost fondly but not quite there, and sighed, "You managed just fine, didn't you?"

I was gobsmacked. That was fine? No, I couldn't handle that. School isn't supposed to be like this.

Wailing, I clenched my fists, "You're horrible!"

"Whatever."

I nervously glanced at him, "Why were you picking on Izuku so much? Did something happen?"

"I don't think I have to explain my every action to you. You don't have time, you should back. I'll talk to you later. Think of this as a test."

"Later? But-"

He didn't say anything, but he waved me off and began to walk away. I grumbled a little bit, but listened to him anyway, heading back to change my clothes.

I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder, relieved the day was finally over. Thinking back to the events of the day, another wave of exhaustion hit me. What was barely twelve hours felt like a decade. I could barely focus.

I sighed a little, a sharp breath leaving my mouth. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and my soul left my body.

"Hey-"

"SLABHV!"

"UWOAWHOA!"

I whipped around to see the blonde boy with his arms covering his face and one leg raised, sparks flying everywhere. I panted, my heart racing and my face ridiculously flushed, "Um, hello?"

He flopped back down and groaned, "Maaaaaaan, I was scared you were going to kill me or something!"

I was baffled. I spoke without even thinking, "Kill? Why would you think I'd kill you!"

"You SOOO look like you could kill someone!" He held up his hands in defence, "You have a straight face all the time, and you looked scary when you were yelling at Bakugou!"

"Why were you watching me then!"

He ignored me, and suddenly got closer to me. His amber eyes were sharp and focused as he stared directly at me, "Hey, what do you see?"

My heart was pounding, and I didn't know what to do or say. I started to feel light-headed, "I don't know..."

"It's your DESTINY!"

He reminded me of someone.

Before I could reply, he saluted, "Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Kaminari Denki! My birthday is on June 20th. My favourite food is hamburgers! This black streak in my hair is natural. If fate shall allow it, we shall get to know each other on a more intimate level. Winky face."

"I'm Sakata Ryuuko." I managed to mutter before running off.

"You're really pretty!"

"NO, YOU'RE NOT! HE'S LYING, YOU'RE UGLY AS BALLS."

~~~

As soon as the door clicked shut, I heard the rumbling of footsteps and for a split second, I was very confused. I swear he left this morning, but at the same time, who else would it be?

"RYUUUUUUUUUU!!"

I turned back at the door and fumbled with my keys, trying to get the door back open- oH CRAP, he's right behind me, "ALOHOMORA!"

His arms wrapped themselves around my waist as he raised me into the air, my legs flailing, and my stomach dropping at the idea of not having a stable ground. A squeak escaped his mouth, and we both tumbled to the ground.

"WHAT THE-"

He snuggled closer, and I tried to fight him off, but I couldn't, "I missed you soo much! Your uniform looks amazing on you! How was school? Did you make any new friends? You know, I missed you a lot, maybe you should just stay at home-"

"No!" I said, a little too loudly and propped myself up. He blinked at me in surprise, "I mean, I just- argh, didn't you leave this morning, or was that a dream?"

"Awww, does that mean you dream about me a lot?"

I crashed back down into the ground and fumbled with my words, "What?! I just- what even- NO!"

"Well, I skipped because I thought it would be bad if I went to work on your first day of school. It seemed wrong."

I grabbed my scarf and yanked it up, so it was covering my entire face. One look at his face and I would burst out crying. I was so relieved. The school day had been both enjoyable yet stressful. The anxiety was still present, still lurking and creeping, waiting for its chance to take over and fill me to the brim with despair.

It was all too much for someone like me. Homeschooled for most of my life, hardly ever interacting with anyone around my age. I was sheltered, like a bird in a cage. For you, this may not seem like a big deal, but to me, it felt as if my world was shaken right to its core. Such a drastic change to my daily routine would take some time getting used to. Until then, day after day will be filled with unease and doubt.

It was a miracle that I was able to hold it together until now. I was so nervous. I was so scared. I didn't want to mess up. I didn't want to say anything weird. I want to fit in, and I just want to be normal. I don't want to be me.

I'm strange. I realised that when I was young. Tears pricked at my eyes, but I forced them back.

Amnesia wasn't common. Someone like me was rare. A blank seven-year-old who couldn't recall anything but her own name. To be honest, I'm not even sure if I remember correctly. What if I wasn't Ryuuko? When I was younger, I remember always being so sure it was my name. Being realistic, what if it wasn't? Then I really had nothing. God, why am I thinking about something like that now?

"Thank you."

"Hmm?" He perked up, "Did you say something?"

"I said you look gross."

I stood up and took off my shoes. He smiled up at me, the kind of smile the even reached his eyes, "It's good to have you home."

I hummed in reply and didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me all embarrassed. Still, I sat down on the couch and took a deep breath, "I, umm, made a few friends."

"... Boys or girls?"

I glanced over at him, a bit worried, "One girl and one b- two boys? I don't know. One boy, one boy."

He charged at me, grabbed me by the shoulders and leaned in close, "Listen here, and listen very carefully. Are you listening?! Good. ALL. MEN. ARE. BEASTS. They are DIRTY, they are DISGUSTING and you must promise me that you will never let a man change you. PROMISE ME, YOUNG LADY."

"I-I promise! Calm down!"

He seemed to calm down after I assured him multiple times that I will not elope, and I will not get pregnant, and I will not come home at unholy hours and that when in doubt, you kick them in the balls hard enough so that you castrate them, and then run away.

He was more emotional than usual. Instead of whining and screaming, as usual, he was surprisingly stoic and calm, as if he was in deep thought. If it was like this, I'd much rather the loud, annoying Akito instead. I reached out and patted his shoulder, "Everything will be fine, Aizawa is at school to watch over me."

"You don't like him more than me, right?"

"Huh?"

He began to pout and lean on his knees, staring at me with anticipation, "I'm just saying, you love me more, right?"

"What do you mean?" I asked him, genuinely confused.

He scowled and crossed his arms, "You're going to go to school, and make more friends, and spend more time with them, and spend more time with Aizawa, and spend more time with everyone else when I'm away, but you still love me more, right?"

"Mhm."

I plopped onto his lap and wrapped my arms around his waist, cuddling up to him. It was comforting, it was warm. Immediately, all the tension and stress left my body. A sigh escaped my lips as I closed my eyes, a sudden wave of drowsiness hitting me. Being around him made me feel like I could let down my guard. I felt like I was finally home.

Automatically, he started patting my head. I could hear the smirk in his voice, "No matter how old you get, you're still a little girl."

"Shut up." I muttered, "No matter how old you get, you're still a big baby."

He lightly slapped my head in fake anger and I giggled.

"Hey, was there always a dead raccoon in your back garden? I swear I didn't do shit- oh, Ryuuko!"

At the sound of an all-too-familiar voice, I jumped up. Using the couch as a boost, I jumped onto her, laughing, "Tomomi!"

"Hey, wait! FUCK NO-"

Despite her yells of protest, she caught me. I don't know how she did, because she's shorter and lighter than me. Gently, she set me down and glared at me. I smiled, "It's because I'm so excited to see you?"

Her expression didn't change as she wasn't phased at all. Quicker than I could see coming, she flicked my forehead and my body vibrated. Akito yelled in protest, "Why did you have to interrupt my Ryuu time? Take a hint!"

"You have to leave now. Izaya is outside."

Akito flinched and started sweating. He hid behind the couch, "But how?! I barely got here on time!"

Tomomi shrugged and plopped herself down on the couch with my following closely behind her, "He's mad."

"No..."

She nodded, "I can tell by his heartbeat."

Akito started fumbling around, desperately trying to get ready, but it was already too late. The door flung open, and there stood Izaya. His partner, but I like to call him his babysitter. He was, indeed, angry. His dark eyes were squinted into a glare and his arms were crossed. His black hair flowed limply around his face, making it seem as if he literally blended in with the shadows.

I laughed as Akito was dragged out, his yells only getting quieter and quieter, "Don't forget me! I will live forever in you hear-"

I stood up and gently closed the door, grinning at Tomomi, "I missed you!"

"I know you did."

Tanihara Tomomi was a work friend of Akito and Izaya's sister, not related by blood. Because of this, she would always volunteer to stay with me when Akito is out on a job. I haven't seen her for a long time because she was out on a mission.

She was wearing a long-sleeved, white tank top which clung nicely to her waist. It was paired with black, flowy-looking trousers. Her dark hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and her faded-out blue eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief.

"Hey, let's watch a movie."

"But you can't see it."

"Don't let me what I can and can't do, you fucking brat."

"But you literally cannot see it, you're blind."

She shushed me and pressed a finger to my lips, leaning in close, "One can never blind the heart's eye."

I sighed, "I'll get the snacks."

"That's what I thought."

~~~

Tomomi: *is blind*
Also Tomomi: Let's watch a movie
Ryuu: ???

HEHEHEHEH I LOVE HER SHE'S JUST SO ICONIC

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and just a great day in general!! 💛💛