Izuku sighed softly as he dragged the rusted out washing machine into the dumpster. He’d recently made a dent in cleaning the beach, managing to uncover a bit of shoreline. And while he was proud of the work he’d made, there was something wrong with Yui-nee.

The last couple weeks she’d been more quiet than usual, and there was a look in her eyes that he didn’t like. Of course, he’d noticed the bruises, had asked but she said they were from sparring. Then the training with her friends had stopped, and she just said she needed a break to focus on the Endeavor case.

It was infuriating! He growled as he kicked a tire buried in the sand, how can she be such a hypocrite? After what happened when he was in school…what could he do when she just said she wouldn’t admit that something was wrong? Even their dads knew something was wrong, Aizawa waiting for her to come to them while Yamada had been shut down time and time again when he pushed too hard. Izuku wasn’t sure if they realized just how…stubborn his sister could be.

The green-haired teen knew that his sister hid behind the façade she presented to the world. Confident, aloof, snarky…traits she pushed to the front to distract from how insecure she really was. Honestly, Yui-nee was a pretty fragile person. He couldn’t blame her; it was honestly probably his fault. Yui-nee felt like she had to be strong for him, couldn’t crack under pressure because it’d be weakness.

But Izuku knew better, he remembered that one night, after the Trigger incident when they were back home. Yui-nee had shut herself into her room, it’d been hours before he finally went to check on her. Hearing a noise through the door before he went inside to see her curled up in bed, looking up with swollen, red eyes.

Remembering how she had been hesitant to return his hug before she had held him close, words spilling out in a rush, not the usual monotone she dropped into. What it felt like with electricity under her skin, sensing it like a living pulsing thing and absorbing that pulse. How she had sensed him and that a part of her wanted to take that pulse and pull it to her.

But Izuku couldn’t find it in himself to be scared, this was his sister, the kid only a year and three months older than him who had risked herself to turn against her parents and take him in. So he’d stayed, whispering that he knew she would never do that, that she was good and not the villain her parents had tried to make her out to be. That he’d always be there for her…and now he wished more than anything that she’d confide in him again.

If it was something serious, Nedzu would stop it, right? He knew about the rat’s cameras and security system, there’s no way anything happened at the school without him knowing, right?

“Young man! What are you doing here?” Izuku jolted at the voice, looking up to see a tall, skeletal man with a mane of blonde hair and sunken blue eyes.

He wiped the sweat from his brown, “Oh…um, I wanted to try and clean the beach…my mom used to say it was beautiful before all the illegal dumping.”

The man’s face lit up with a grin, “That is very admirable! You’re really going to do this by yourself?”

“Yeah…I thought it’d be a good workout too so win-win, right?” He chuckled softly.

He barked out a laugh, “You’re right! All the different trash means using different muscles.”

“Yeah! Plus, when it’s clean people can swim here again! And maybe…once people see how nice it can be, they’ll help keep it clean.” Izuku smiled wide as he looked at the mountains of trash to go, only split up by the trail to the shore.

“You have a good heart there, young man. If only all people shared the sentiment. The world would be such a better place.” The teen blinked, looking back at the man as he coughed into a handkerchief. He couldn’t miss the bright red spots on the white material.

“Are you okay?! You’re coughing blood, I can carry you to the hospital!” He rushed to his side, only pausing when the man lifted a hand.

“It’s quite all right, young man. It’s a medical condition but I’ll be alright.” He smiled as he patted his shoulder, “Thank you for worrying about me though. I’m Toshinori Yagi, it’s nice to meet you.” He offered him his hand.

Izuku smiled brightly at him, “I’m Izuku Yamazawa! And likewise,” he shook his hand before his phone started to ring. “Oh sorry…oh crap- sorry! I didn’t realize how late it was!” he fumbled for his phone, seeing the missed call from Yui-nee. “I’m sorry, Yagi-san, I have to go, my sister will get worried.” He rushed to grab his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. “I hope to see you again!” he waved before he raced off, phone against his ear as he called her back.

Toshinori Yagi smiled softly as he watched the young man run off, then back at the stretch of clean sand going to the water, now painted in hues of red and pink as the sun started to set. The boy definitely has a good heart…

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“What do we do, Sho?”

Aizawa sighed softly at his husband’s question, lying in bed with him as he slid his hands through long blonde locks. Usually it was a relaxing time, just the two of them, but they were both on edge. What was their daughter hiding? Was the thought that consumed them.

“She won’t talk to me, Sho…I keep asking and…am I being too pushy? I just don’t like seeing her like this.” Hizashi gripped his shirt, looking up at him with those normally bright chartreuse eyes darkened by worry.

“I know, Zashi…we don’t want to push too hard though. You read through what she told Chiyo, what we know her biological parents did to her. If we push too hard, she might just push back or she could…” He paused; he didn’t even want to say it.

“If we push her too much, she might just leave…disappear on us. She wouldn’t leave Izuku, would she?”

He sighed as he ran a hand through his own hair, pushing it back from his face. “I really don’t know, songbird. She knows we’d take care of him, he’s safe here. If we push, she might just leave him here with us and go off on her own.”

“Kami, Sho…what are we supposed to do?”

“We can wait for her to come to us. She’s kind of like a feral cat, right? She’s been hurt by adults. We just have to be patient and maybe she’ll come to us. Let’s just…give her a few days without asking anything. We’ll keep an eye on her in case anything changes. If she looks like she’s hurt, maybe I can convince her to go to Recovery Girl. Or Shimizu.”

“What do you think she’s doing? She’s not going out as ControlFreak, is she?”

“No, I’ve asked around and there’s been no sightings. If she is, she’s being extremely careful or she’s changed her get up. But I don’t think that’s it.”

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“She’s not going to those fighting rings, right?” His voice was soft, but shaking. Hizashi had helped him take some of those rings down and they were…gruesome. They were teachers, finding children broken, bloody and sometimes dead…knowing their daughter had once been a participant, it was hard to think about.

“No, Zashi. I don’t think she’d go back to those…I think it has something to do with school. We’ll keep an eye out, and the others would tell us if they see anything. Nedzu is trying to get to the bottom of it. We’ll know the truth soon. Just be patient, okay?” His normally gruff voice was soft, his thumb tracing over the blonde’s cheekbone as he cradled his face in his hands, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. “She’ll come to us when she’s ready,”

His husband let out a small sigh, covering his hand with his own as he kissed his palm. “Okay, Sho, I’ll be patient.”

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Nedzu was a patient creature, binding his time until he had the highest chance at success, rushing into situations was foolhardy. But waiting until his protégé came to him was starting to set him on edge. Did she really think he was that blind? He instantly knew something was wrong when she’d walked into the room favoring one side, even when she thought she’d been concealing her pain. The pauses, the way her voice would sometimes drop into the monotone she slipped into when she was stressed, the way her eyes would flick to the ceiling before she could stop them. He knew something was wrong, and it was happening in his school.

Then students had started to go to the teachers about a villain in their school! A few even describing his student, and of course, the teacher’s had assured them that there wasn’t a villain, that they’d investigate just in case. But he’d been getting calls from parents, it was only a matter of time before the press would get involved.

He knew that Tomono boy was involved. But he didn’t have proof. He cursed the fact that the cameras in the sewer section didn’t have audio, and the quality was so poor reading lips hadn’t been possible despite the rendering he’d tried. The cameras had been updated, but that was salve on a wound already struck. And the boy didn’t do anything at school that would be suspicious. Hacking into outside cameras to track him wouldn’t exactly get him proof he could use legally.

Then there was the issues with the cameras, causing them to static or disconnect. He’d follow the cameras until they disconnected, eventually finding Yui in worse shape than she had been when the feed would come back. And when he’d asked, she’d offered to look into it, try to fix it, but wouldn’t admit anything!

Humans were such strange creatures. Nedzu couldn’t help but muse to himself, trying to calm himself by preparing his favorite tea. He could understand her distrust of adults, but surely she could understand the value of reaching out when she was in over her head? She was letting herself get hurt, but what was so important that was keeping her quiet? What was she scared of?

A flinty dead look came across his eyes, his small mouth widening slowly in a predatory display. Nedzu usually spoke quietly to avoid flashing his teeth, it was common practice even among the humans with carnivorous animal quirks. Seeing something smiling at you with teeth that were too pointy was apparently off putting for humans. But here? Alone? Humans were coming for something that was HIS once more. With the sunset at his back, Nedzu grinned to the prestissimo of his coffee cup rattling against its plate.

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“What can we do, Mirio?” Nejire was sitting upside down on the couch in Mirio's living room. It was just Nejire, Mirio and Tamaki over this night, usually Fridays they were with Yui and Izuku at one of the gyms as they did Quirk training, but Yui had backed out yet again.

The trio wasn’t stupid, they knew there was something bothering their friend. But even Nejire's endless questions hadn’t procured an answer from the teen besides the typical excuse of working on something else or chores. And while they couldn’t just call her out on that, it didn’t seem like the truth.

Mirio had gone so far as to ask Tomono why Yui was acting strange after the exercise. But he’d just given him a confused frown and said ‘I really don’t know Togata, maybe she’s having problems at home?’ but Izuku would mention something if their parents were doing something like that, right? Yui didn’t seem to be the type to put up with that.

“I don’t know, Nejire. It’s a pickle…” the blonde groaned as he leaned back against the couch.

“Wh-what can we do? You remember how Kayama-sensei reacted wh-when we asked?” Tamaki stuttered, fiddling with his pen as he took it apart.

Yeah…asking the R-rated heroine if she knew if Yui was having troubles at home had been…an experience…

Tamaki thought their teacher had turned into a bear for a moment before the woman had regained her composure. She had assured them that she knew Yui's family personally, and that would never happen.

“Yeah, but…I’ve seen the bandages and the bruises guys! They don’t match up with what happens during our spars...” Nejire pouted as she rolled around to look at them properly.

“Maybe we can try to talk to Izu one on one? They’re so close, he should know what’s happening.” Mirio smiled wide as he pumped his fist up and down.

“A-and if he doesn’t…m-maybe we can have an intervention….” Tamaki offered, glancing up at his two friends.

“That’s a great idea! We can show her we all really care about her!” Nejire bounced up and down, “we can make a safe space with lots of blankets and pillows and stuff and maybe she’ll just tell us?”

“Its worth a shot! I’ll text the green bean, maybe we can just meet them at their place so she feels safe? Great idea, Tama!” Mirio grinned as he pulled out his phone. If they could get to the bottom of this and help their friend, they’d try anything.

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Izuku blinked, pulling his phone out of his hoodie when he felt it buzz. Yui-nee had retreated to her room after dinner instead of joining the three of them for a movie, saying she had a headache and wanted to turn in early. Aizawa was getting ready for his patrol while Yamada sighed at his English papers.

GoldenBoy:

Hey Izu! Have you noticed anything off with Yui?

GreenBean:

Yeah…she won’t tell me anything, did something happen at school?

GoldenBoy:

We don’t know, she’s been pretty quiet with us too. Would you like to help us with a little intervention? Maybe if we all get together and ask her, maybe she’ll tell us? If it’s something we did, we’d really like to know.

GreenBean:

Sure! What did you have in mind?

Izuku's eyes glinted as he read over the plan. Maybe it would work? Maybe when she saw how worried they all were, she’d confide in them? Izuku would never tell this to anyone, he'd been sworn to secrecy, but he knew cuddle piles were one of his sister’s weaknesses. Growing up with her parents, she didn’t get a lot of physical affection, so, while she’d probably never say it out loud, Izuku knew Yui-nee loved the affection. He could tell Nejire's influence on the plan a mile away.

“Hey, dad, papa?” He called out. The duo turned their attention on him.

“What’s shakin’ green bean?” Yamada shot him finger guns as he grinned, putting down the pink glitter pen he was using to grade.

“Um…so you know how Yui-nee hasn’t really…been acting normal?” he asked, glancing up at them through his bangs to see the two exchange a look.

“Yeah, it’s been almost a month now, hasn’t it?” Aizawa asked as he sat down beside him.

“Has she said anything to you, Izuku?” Yamada asked softly, a crease on his forehead.

“No, and her friends are starting to worry too. I think she’s pushing them away…” he ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it away from his face, “I’ve tried asking but she keeps…omitting something.”

Aizawa let out one of his long-winded sighs, “Nemuri mentioned something like that too. Togata, Amajiki and Hado asked about Yui's home life. She was quick to tell them that wasn’t a problem.”

“Well, Togata actually asked if we could…intervene a bit? Tomorrow is Friday, so after class, they’re asking if they can come over and we sit her down and try to get her to confide in us? I know we’ve all tried separately but maybe when she sees how everyone cares, she’ll tell us?” Izuku rambled out, “I know you don’t really want your students to know who our parents are, so I understand if you say no, we were just think-"

“Izuku,” Aizawa put a hand on top of his curls, making his mouth close with a click. “It’s a good idea, we'll make sure she has support and it’s time. I’ve tried to be patient but…” he sighed, ruffling his curls gently, “Yui is a…special case. I was thinking of having her attend some sessions with Inui. Her past wasn’t the best, and after what happened with Voltage…” Izuku couldn’t stop the shiver that went up his spine at the name, he still got nightmares from that…incident.

“You both would benefit from some counseling, green bean. We wanted to bring it up for a while but wanted to make sure you felt comfortable in the house first.” Yamada finished for him. Violet jumped up into the teen’s lap, purring as she bumped her head against his hand.

Izuku smiled softly, “I’ll think about it. So it’s a yes for tomorrow?”

“Yes, tell Togata that it’s okay with us. We’ll order pizza for dinner.” Aizawa ruffled his curls again before he stood up. Izuku grinned as he texted his friend back. Tomorrow, they’d finally get to the bottom of this.