Volume Up

Ch. 21: Happy New Year

Shouta didn't know what to do. Tigris was gone and he had no idea where she was going or when she would come back. He scolded himself for opening up, which is why he always stayed so reserved so situations like this didn't happen.

After punching a piece of metal in frustration he went back down to the party. All Might and Mic were still talking on the couches, he had to get him away from Mic. His plan sucked.

"Uh, All Might." He interrupted, "Can I talk to you in the hall, a student reached out to me, I think you should hear this."

"Sure thing, Eraser!" The muscular man stood up.

"Sho, where's Nature?" Mic inquired.

"She uh, decided to stay outside for a bit longer. I think she called her parents."

"Oh cool! I'll be waiting here."

"Yeah..."

Aizawa walked away from Mic and lead Toshi out into the hall shutting the door behind and standing guard of it.

"So, what is wrong? Which student? Did —"

"Nature's gone."

"Huh?" All Might tilted his head slightly.

"We — we were up on the roof and — and she kept pushing my buttons. I told her how I felt — everything..."

Toshi was concerned, especially to see Aizawa so panicked while speaking, "Slow down, Shouta..."

"And I don't know why — I made the dumbest fucking decisions — I just — I kissed her and I let my emotions get the best of me and I shouldn't — she ran off, I don't know where she went."

Toshi returned to his regular form for a moment, "First things first, we can't say a word to Mic. Second, you have to find her, and I'll help you. If I know anything about Nature I know she won't go to places she doesn't know unless its absolutely necessary."

"The University, her home, our homes, and that place in the woods." Shouta named.

"It's a good start but we'll have to hurry."

_________________________

Tigris arrived at the University entering through her office window. She purposely left it open for any need to enter, which right now was a good enough reason for her. She stepped inside and peered into the darkness. Turning on a light would signal anyone, specifically Shouta, that she was there.

The darkness was her friend a lot of the time. After sitting at her desk for a few minutes and decompressing what she had just seen it was time to get back to work.

Within moments she put on her white lab coat and walked to her laboratory, All Might wasn't going to heal himself after all.

___________________________

Shouta's phone rang in his back pocket. He prayed it wasn't Mic, but thankfully it was Toshi.

"Hello?" He answered petting Koku.

"Any luck, Shouta?" Toshi spoke.

He let out a sigh, "No, she's not at home or my house."

"I just checked her hideout in the woods, no sign of her. I'm about to head home and check. Let's hope she's there."

"Alright I'll head to the University. Meet me there when you're done."

_____________________________