Betrayal by a friend is like a dagger thrust into the heart

Inside one's mind may be the only place they feel safe

His way back to the dorms was quiet. He knew if he spoke he'd get yelled at.

It happened in middle school all the time.

With no conversation to keep him busy, he was left with his thoughts. Deciding he only had one comfort at the moment, he spaced out and dived into his head.

When he focused, he didn't know what he was expecting, but it sure wasn't an angry Nana yelling at the other vestiges.

"What is eight thinking?! He should Know better than this! How could he-?"

Izuku cleared his throat, causing her to Pause, and turn to him, along with the others.

" Uh... hey?" He gave a small wave, Feeling Shy all of a sudden.

No one moved or said anything until First cleared his throat. Only then did Nana run up to him, Knocking him over a bit as he was swept into a hug.

"Agh! Merci, merci! Can't- can't breathe!" He says with a small giggle.

She pulls away, and he's able to see the Anger and Sadness in her eyes.

"Nine I'm so sorry about eight, he doesn't know what he's doing." She quiets, looking a bit guilty.

"It's Fine, no need to apologize when it wasn't your fault," he responds, waving his hand in dismissal.

"Eight can be such an idiot sometimes, and we know this because he's had One for All for so long," Fifth spoke up, his tone sharp. "I wonder what happened since then."

Izuku went to defend his mentor, only to be cut off. "Nine, please don't try to defend eight, I know you idolize him and See him as a father, but must you keep hurting yourself?"

First paused, waiting to see if Izuku would say anything. He went to butt in, but promptly shut his mouth. When he made no move to respond, first continued.

"Anyways." He cleared his throat once again. "Now, I understand that what happened was a mistake, and you were honestly terrified this last weekend;" His eyes flicked to Izuku as the boy flinched at the reminder of getting caught up with a member of the league "But I'm sure they'll call that one detective in to give you a proper interrogation. What was his name again?"

Izuku tilts his head. "Uh, Tsukauchi? I hope they do. I mean, they legally have to anyway. But His sister is the one with a polygraph quirk. He's the detective on the whole traitor case if I remember correctly." His eyes suddenly go bright. "I've actually met his sister once when meeting the detective in the past. Her quirk is fascinating!" He smiles, the first one since this morning. "Can't wait to see their faces when he tells them I need a parent or guardian to interrogate me anyways. I already told them once but they're going to hear it again."

His smile becomes predatory. "Either they allow it or get sued by my mother and her legal team." He shrugs. "Doesnt matter the crime or evidence, it'll be illegal if they don't allow it. Can't wait to see the detective say the same thing."

"Sure as hell will catch them off guard," Fifth speaks up somewhere behind him. "Especially eighth." he lets out a deep laugh. "The poor idiot thinks just because he was the number one pro for 30 years means he knows the law." He shakes his head, eyes glinting in amusement at Izuku.

"How d'ya even know this much anyways Nine? There's a lotta shit written in the laws. Did ya have this planned already or something?" Fifth asks, entertained.

Izuku's grin goes wide. "My mom is a lawyer. I read up on a lot of the laws because of my past quirklessness." he pauses. "Also at one point I thought of becoming one and joining her legal team but stuck with the dream of becoming a hero."