A thick and uneasy silence hung over the staff of UA. Seated around their U-shaped table, no one really knew what to say. What even was there to say? No one had expected things to come to this, not to one of their own. One particular seat in the middle of the curve was glaringly empty, and several members of staff couldn't help but catch it in the corner of their eye. A stark reminder as to the reason for their emergency meeting, called by Nezu that morning.
Most also cast subtle looks towards the silent and expressionless 1-A homeroom teacher. Aizawa didn't bother looking anywhere else but the other side of the room. Had they not known the man, they would have assumed he didn't care or was simply bored of the proceedings. But his clear avoidance of anyone's gaze and glazed-over, fatigue-laden eyes was evidence enough that a purposeful mask was in place to prevent anyone else from seeing the pain there. As always so intent to maintain logic no matter the circumstance.
Midnight especially was staring directly at him, trying to see what he was thinking, and making it painfully obvious that she felt at fault with the whole ordeal. But he wouldn't even look her way so she could show in her expression the regret that etched itself on her heart. And she wasn't brave enough at the moment to break the heavy silence that had settled over her coworkers.
The door opened, nearly causing those in attendance to jump in their seats. The small mouse-dog-bear principal made his way to his chair, and a young man directly behind him. All Might straightened in his seat, recognizing the youthful detective Tsukauchi. He took up a stance just behind the principal's chair. Nezu faced the room, mouth downturned in a grim frown, and let out a quiet sigh.
"Thank you for coming at such short notice. I'm sure you have all been caught up on the reason for our gathering. For the sake of clarification, Scarlet Seer has been reported missing after failing to return home from an outing last night." He said without mincing words. "The last one to have seen her was Midnight as they walked home from the music festival."
"How did she manage to disappear if you were there with her?" Snipe questioned, unable to prevent the sting of accusation from his tone.
She winced with visible pain, shaking her head and staring at the table. "It was just for a moment. We were on our way home and a criminal ran past. She wasn't feeling well, and so I offered to take care of it. We were only fifteen minutes from the campus! I thought it would be fine-"
"You weren't even on duty, there surely would have been another hero out there patrolling who could have taken care of it." Snipe pressed, sounding aggravated.
"That's quite enough." Nezu said, shutting down the rise of anger before it could swell into something more serious. When he spoke, he addressed the whole room. "There was no way to foresee the consequence of leaving her by herself, nor should we be quick to blame Midnight. It was through no fault of her own that what happened did."
All Might nodded. "As hard as it may be to admit, she made the right choice. To ignore her responsibility as a hero would have been shameful. I think we can all agree that Hina would have placed her duty above her own safety, even knowing what would have occurred after the fact."
Coming from the former number one hero, the others were reminded of their oaths to protect the innocent, and remained rightfully chastened, nodding along with his statement. He was right. The citizens' safety was most important. The reminder was painful but necessary, their own emotions and personal attachments getting in the way.
"Musutafu's law enforcement is providing assistance." Nezu continued. "I will let detective Tsukauchi speak on the matter and provide what information they have."
"Thank you." Tsukauchi gave a little bow as acknowledgement of his cue to step forward. "Given the recent events surrounding UA, I wanted to first address the question of a possible media scandal. Rest assured, the existence of this investigation will remain out of the public's knowledge and completely within the department. We understand the tumultuous position that UA is currently in, and do not want to see any further damage come to the academy's reputation."
"What do you know so far?" Cementoss asked gently, and the young detective turned to answer.
"We are in the process of recovering surveillance footage of the possible area she could have been taken, based on Midnight's description of the location where they separated. Eyewitness statements will be taken from shop owners and those who may have been in the area around the time of her disappearance." He said, now speaking to the whole room. "All of you will be updated the moment we learn her whereabouts or anything of importance."
"So...we don't know anything at all yet?" Power Loader surmised with a shake of his head. "Damn..."
"Have we considered that this may be another play by the League of Villains?" Mic said, lifting his hand to demonstrate his point. "They've been too active lately to rule them out."
Ectoplasm closed his eyes, thinking about it. "She was present at Kamino Ward. They know who she is. No better person to target than someone who was crucial in thwarting their plans for Bakugo. This could simply be another act of war from them, born of vengeance."
"I highly doubt it." Snipe said with a shake of his head. "My money is on her brother."
"Has there been any ransom note or claim to the crime?" All Might questioned.
Tsukauchi shook his head slowly. "We have left all methods of communication open in the event there is a ransom, but we have seen no acknowledgement of her disappearance on any channel."
Vlad nodded in agreement, arm crossed in front of him. "The League operates with the sole intent of disrupting hero society. This isn't their style, it's too covert. They don't do things quietly. By now, they would have claimed credit and attached their name to the kidnapping."
"I've spoken to Police Commissioner Jino, who was working with Scarlet Seer on several cases involving her brother." The detective continued. "It is believed that he has very recently made his way back to Musutafu after a brief period in Hosu City. Given the timeframe, we both strongly agree that he is the likely perpetrator."
Mic, who was watching Aizawa carefully, saw as he closed his eyes and sighed to himself. He had yet to say anything, and the DJ wondered if he could even bring himself to. He frowned in worry, though now wasn't the time to ask if he was alright, drawing his attention back to the detective.
Tsukauchi placed the stack of folders on the desk and offered one to Power Loader, who was directly on his right. "He has put together a profile of Daichi Hitagawa, which you will find in the information packets I hand out. Please familiarize yourself with them and keep a vigilant eye both while on and off campus. While it is not likely, we cannot rule out the possibility that he could approach the campus and endanger the student body."
"What are we supposed to tell them, anyway? The students...the moment they know she's missing, it'll spread like wildfire, even if we stress the importance of keeping this quiet." Power Loader pointed out, and Nezu spoke up again.
"We've taken this into consideration. Until further notice, please inform your students that Scarlet Seer is away in response to a family emergency, the details of which were not disclosed. I will arrange for a trustworthy substitute in the meantime, who will also be informed of the situation." He folded his paws carefully. "I understand that the longer she is missing, the less this facade will hold water. Be firm with your explanations to those pressing for answers. And let this be an urge to us all to locate her as swiftly as is possible."
"If you do have any further information that may be helpful to the investigation, please do come forward or reach out to us at the number listed in the folders." Tsukauchi instructed, bowing at the waist and turning to leave the room.
Hands stuffed in his pockets, both clenched in tight fists, Aizawa didn't bother stopping when he heard Mic and Midnight calling out his name. He'd thought that avoiding the main elevator and taking a longer way out of the building would leave him in solitude as the meeting adjourned. Being around his coworkers right now was...an uncomfortable thought. He'd felt them staring at him the whole time, trying to gauge his reaction. Perhaps waiting for his composure to break.
Wincing as their voices sounded closer, he quickened his pace, wishing to get out of sight and that they'd just leave him be. He wasn't in the mood for conversation, knowing exactly the questions they'd ask and aware that he didn't have good answers for them.
"Shouta, wait for a damn minute!" Mic called in exasperation and incredulity, and the erasure hero finally stopped midway down the hallway towards the elevator, eyes cast down on the tile. Obviously there was no getting away, no matter how much he wanted to. He didn't even look up to acknowledge them as they passed and stood before him.
Mic tentatively reached out and touched his shoulder. "Jeez, way to rush out of the room like that! We wanted to see that you were ok. This can't be easy for you, Hina being missing...How are you hol-"
"I'm fine." He muttered bluntly, his tone leaving no argument that he clearly wasn't in the mood to talk. He shrugged Mic's hand off. Neither cared to acknowledge it, and Midnight stood closer, forcing him to look at her. She was clearly upset, and it pained him to see her in such a state.
"Shouta, I..." Her head shook, eyes watery. The sleep hero couldn't find the right words to say, and decided to simply get on her knees and lower her head in a bow. "I'm so sor-"
"Stop." He bit out, grabbing her arm and preventing her from lowering her head to the ground. She only huffed out a sad breath, prevented from displaying her guilt. "Midnight, get up."
She wouldn't budge, eyes tightly closing. "I refuse. Because of me, she-"
"No." He interrupted, pulling harder and forcing her to her feet again. "Get. Up."
"I left her alone!" She cried out and yanked her arm out of his grip, frustrated and full of regret and pain, and the outburst was loud and surprising enough to silence him momentarily. "I knew all this time that she was worried about him coming after her, and I knew he was out there somewhere...And because of my fucking decision, she's missing! I wasn't there when she needed me to be!"
"Nemuri..." Mic muttered, watching his friend sadly. But she refused to pst, staring down her younger friend with a fiery determination.
"I left my friend helpless while she was hunted by her fucking brother. And if something does happen to her, I won't be able to live with myself. Because I decided I wanted to be a fucking hero instead of protecting the person most in danger." She muttered resolutely.
Aizawa said nothing, the only break to his blank expression was a clench of his jaw, a twitch of his eye. Tiny, barely noticeable ticks. A crack in the mask.
"Helpless..." He parroted back without heat, but nonetheless accusatory. "Everyone talks about her in the same way, like she's weak and unable to fend for herself. Like she can't go anywhere without protection. Maybe you don't do it consciously, but you still do."
Mic stepped forward now. "What? Of course we know she's not weak!"
But Aizawa only shook his head, eyes never leaving Nemuri's. "Hina was well aware of the risk, every time she stepped out of her apartment she knew he might be there. That's why she trained so hard. Because she knew it would happen eventually, no matter how much none of us wanted to believe it. She knew right from the beginning.
"She's gone not because you left her alone," He urged, "but because he'd keep looking and hurting people until he found her, and she happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Mic and Midnight exchanged a glance, growing quiet. Aizawa lowered his head, letting out a weak sigh.
"Of course I wish I was there. Maybe if I hadn't been busy, then she would have stayed on campus and we wouldn't be talking about this. There are too many 'what-ifs.' I can't stand it. None of us know how powerful he is, and what he plans to do. Now, we have to trust that she is strong enough to defend herself, that she's prepared. And do all we can to find her."
When they didn't respond, he began walking away again. They didn't bother following this time, too caught up in their own emotions and thoughts.
Monday after lunch class 1-A walked into their Life Skills classroom as normal, but stopped upon seeing someone out of place inside. The redhead hero was not there. Instead, her back turned, a brunette woman wrote some things down on the chalk board as if she had always been there. Surely their teacher hadn't had the urge to cut and dye her hair...
"Where's Hitagawa Sensei?" Mineta asked in confusion, and the woman turned around, spotting the students in the doorway with a bit of surprise, not having heard them enter.
Midoriya recognized her immediately, eyes widening. It hadn't been immediately apparent, given the absence of her cat-styled hero costume replaced by a skirt and blouse. "Mandalay? What are you doing here?"
The Pussycat member gave a patient smile as the rest of the students realized who she was, before gesturing to the room. "I'll explain in a moment, but let's not block the doorway, shall we?"
Confusion still clearly evident in their expressions, 1-A filed inside and took their seats as usual. It took a few minutes for everyone to arrive, the bell ringing soon after to indicate that class was now back in session. All in attendance, they stared at the woman who was not their teacher.
Mandalay, having finished writing the subject for the day's lesson behind her, stood in front of the desk and linked her fingers. She let out a sigh.
"Before anyone else asks, I'll just clear the air now. Scarlet Seer had an unexpected family emergency come up, and will be away for an indeterminate amount of time while she handles it. Until her return, I've been asked to step in and substitute for her classes."
Mutters crossed the room, speculations of what sort of emergency had come up, and Iida swiftly raised his hand. "Is Hitagawa Sensei alright? She's not in danger, is she?"
Mandalay spread her hands vaguely. "I'm afraid I don't have any details about what has pulled her away, so I couldn't say. I wouldn't worry, though. She is a strong woman, and is sure to return as soon as possible."
The lack of any solid answers certainly didn't satisfy their curiosity, but the substitute had been instructed to remain vague and optimistic. Soon, they'd realize that throwing themselves into school work would occupy their thoughts. And hopefully, their confidence in her strength would stave off most of the concerns as to her health.
With a nod, she grabbed the financial textbook off of the desk and held it up. "Alright, let us begin the lesson. Turn to page 64 in your book and begin reading the first few pages..."
"Again."
Shinso, already huffing from exertion, returned to a starting position on the gym mat with his bamboo practice staff. The gym was quiet, save for the sound of their training. Arms shaking, he tried to calm his racing heart, making himself focus as Aizawa stepped forward to initiate the first strike.
He back-stepped and blocked, angling the staff so the blow would slide down the shaft rather than fully take the brunt of the hit, as he'd been taught. However, the force behind it still made him unsteady. Trying to power through the miscalculation, he sidestepped and tried to go for the opening created as Aizawa went to pull his own weapon back.
The older man was too quick, forcing Shinso back on the defensive before his own strike could do any damage. The difference in strength was clear, and after several minutes of sparring, the shaft of Aizawa's staff glanced over the boy's knuckles. Shinso cried out in pain, and dropped the weapon to the floor. He stumbled backwards, shaking out his hand and getting out of the way of Aizawa's reach.
"Damn it..." He muttered, disappointed that he hadn't even lasted as long as the previous round. At this rate, he'd regress to when they'd began the lesson.
"Stop being so rigid. Loosen your muscles." Said the teacher impatiently, and Shinso nodded his agreement. Though, he didn't have to be so crass about it.
"Right, sorry."
"Pick it up." Aizawa commanded, robotically returning to the starting position on the mat and staring him down without amusement. "Again."
Shinso wasn't used to such a mood from his mentor. Sure, Aizawa wasn't the bubbliest person on the planet, but at least he was usually patient and in a relatively good mood during their trainings. Tonight, there was something definitely different. He was less forgiving with mistakes, responses clipped and blunt. And he had barely given the high school student a chance to take a breath their entire session.
The entire day had been different though. The whole staff felt on edge, like they were looking over their shoulders. Most hadn't been entirely there during the lessons, appearing distracted and worried about something. Or maybe he was just reading too much into it.
Keeping quiet with his thoughts, he sighed and picked up the weapon, eventually settling into his starting position across from his mentor on the mat. For a moment, they simply waited. Until Shinso decided to take initiative this time and move first.
He felt the impact of the staffs as the bamboo connected, his first hit blocked by Aizawa's swift reflexes. Shinso tried putting on the pressure this time, staying bold with his attacks and enclosing on Aizawa's space. The man did indeed give some ground, stepping back to keep their distance but near the edge of the mat he stopped, holding his ground.
The bamboo staffs bared their strength against each other, Shinso and Aizawa staring down the other silently. But the boy's eyes widened when he was pushed backwards. Nearly losing his footing, he stumbled, not keeping a firm hold on the weapon. It gave Aizawa the opportunity to attack from below, using the last few inches of his staff to send Shinso's twirling out of his hands and twirling several feet away to land with a loud clack on the gym's wood floor.
As if to rub salt in the wounds, the tip shot forward to push the boy to the ground, settling on his sternum to keep him there. "I've told you before. Getting in close to them means they'll be close to you. Keep your distance, but keep up pressure. Find the middle ground."
Shinso's ragged breaths was the only response. Aizawa stared down at the boy without expression, finally lifting the staff and holding a hand out for him to take. Shinso hesitated a moment, perhaps suspecting a trick, but did take the offered hand to get help standing up again.
"Take a break." Aizawa turned away towards where their stuff was set against the wall. He crouched and reached down to grab their water bottles, tossing one to Shinso who caught it in his shaky hands. He set the bamboo staff down and sat with crossed legs, eagerly chugging the water as if it were his first drink in a week.
Despite not looking all that worn out, Aizawa leaned against the wall and drank from his own bottle, staring off into space without a word. They normally spent their down time going over how he was performing in their exercises, but tonight he was remarkably distant and clsoed off. Shinso stared, eyes narrowing as he finally voiced what he'd been thinking all night.
"You're different today." He eventually said, gaining his mentor's attention. When Aizawa didn't say anything, he pressed on. "I'm not saying to go easy on me but, something's put you in a bad mood."
"Is that right?" He questioned vaguely, but Shinso nodded, going along with his train of thought.
"You never push this hard, or for this long. We've been sparring for almost 2 hours straight. You point out everything I'm doing wrong relentlessly-"
"How else will you fix your mistakes?" He replied as an afterthought, but knew the boy had a point. They'd been working themselves hard that night. Harder than usual. He'd told himself it was a way to push the boy who had been making good progress, but a part of him knew it was simply an excuse to distract himself from his girlfriend's disappearance. Shinso rejected his response and shook his head.
"Kinda weird that you're like this just as Hitagawa Sensei leaves. It all happening at once, you know?" He continued, staring at his mentor with meaning. "Everyone keeps saying she's got some family emergency. No one can say why or where. Or even how long. Feels strange to me..."
Aizawa met his stare but remained quiet, expression giving absolutely nothing away. Shinso had always been smart, observant. Perhaps he'd seen past the cover story early on. Whatever the case, he wouldn't be fooled by their reasons for her absence.
"This has something to do with that, right?" He guessed, refusing to be rebuffed. "Something bad's going on, and you're distracted by it."
Aizawa let out a tired sigh, frustrated that the boy had to be so smart, but also somewhat relieved. Why? He'd never be able to guess. Perhaps being able to confide in his protege would alleviate some of the worry. His reasonable brain immediately shut that thought up.
"Yes." He eventually admitted, fixing him with a cold stare and setting his water bottle on the ground. "None of it concerns you, however."
Shinso frowned. "But-"
"Unfortunately, you can't afford to spend time being distracted by anything other than training." He interrupted, grabbing his staff and approaching intently. "You're still behind the level of class 1-A. So pick up your staff and take a ready stance if you hope to make it to the hero course."
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