Of Heroes, Blood, and Boba

by Marshmellowtime

There was a red thread that connected each and every one of them. It could bend, twist, and tangle, but it would never break. Though considering who her classmates were, she was getting pretty close to cutting it herself. "If you get your ass kicked one more time, I'm not healing you." Oc/?

20. Chrysanthemum Tea

I have no excuse. I'm really excited to get to the summer camp. JAJAJA.

But I want them to get to experience a happy summer too. There's a lot of messages I need to respond to in the pms, I'll get to you all, thank you for your support and love.

Part 1/2 of Merry Christmas updates.

I do not own BNHA.

Warning(s): Depictions of mildly graphic body mutilation and abuse.

---

Of Heroes, Blood, and Boba

Chapter Nineteen:

Chrysanthemum Tea

---

Chrysanthemum tea; a tea made from the dried and brewed leaves of the chrysanthemum flower, sweetened in some countries to create a common tea beverage. Brewed alone with natural sweetener, it retains very health beneficial properties (it's the tea a lot of moms tell you to drink)

---

Fuyu had gotten so quick with the healing that she almost didn't even feel the blade slice through her fingers.

Her blood barely pooled from the flesh wound. The small, separated ends of her slender fingers slowly reattaching themselves back to their base through a network of thin red lines and capillaries crossing and weaving over each other. Like sewing. She thought about Nana with her thread as she patched up another kimono before her father noticed.

Threads.

Fuyu's eyes flashed red involuntarily and she quickly shut them. Her father knelt before her, swiping a clean silk cloth against his blade as he waited.

Her hand completely healed, good as new save for the old, jagged scar from when she'd first been learning to heal herself. He tapped her shoulder three times and Fuyu raised her arms out before him, bowing her head.

He raised his sword and struck, clean, precise—

Merciless.

The flesh wounds don't hurt. Fuyu watched blood splatter onto the tatami mats, just a bit. She felt the familiar weightlessness—brief, chilling. The rest of her blood hesitated in the air pooling in a globular mess as she kept her focus trained on it. Thin red threads of blood slowly began the process of reattachment for her limbs once more and she kept her head bowed while her father watched. They didn't hurt as much anymore. Not really. Slicing and healing and bleeding and cleaning—she could do this. This was all secondary.

Fuyu kept her face carefully neutral as he drove the katana clean through her shoulder. She could feel her muscles and nerves scream in protest—a clean strike, not chipping bone or anything that'd cause a problem. They'd worked on healing bones yesterday. Today was a regular routine which meant the next customer must've suffered heavy injuries and blood loss.

Fuyu reached up and gripped the blade with her hand. The blade sliced through her palm as she tugged it free and he allowed her to, simply watching in cold silence. Fuyu let the blade settle gently onto the floor as her shoulder slowly patched itself back up and finally she looked up at him.

The flesh wounds don't hurt. Nothing can hurt you but the pain.

"You've gotten faster," he praised. "We'll tell our partners you can take on three tonight. There will be transfusions on standby."

Fuyu dropped her head in a nod. He picked up the katana and swept it clean once more, gazing down at her and she caught her reflection once more in the blade. I've seen this sight before.

Dull red eyes gazed back at her.

Ah.

He raised his sword and pressed the end of the blade at the top of her shoulder. Fuyu stretched her arm and bowed her head, knowing what came next.

Those eyes look nothing like hers.

Soft fingers carded through her hair.

Fuyu froze. Her blood thinned to ice, her gaze settled onto one small point of red on the tatami mat as he gently threaded his fingers through her hair, prodding along the side of her scalp until he rubbed her head in something akin to fondness.

The flesh wounds didn't hurt.

His katana sliced clean through. Fuyu heard the soft thud and felt hot, thick blood splatter against her cheek and pool onto the floor. She stared with wide, spinning eyes at the floor as he gently tugged his fingers through her hair and pulled away.

Those hands would always, always hurt more than anything else.

---

"With the softest of touches you take."

---

"Kouda, you had it pretty rough too, huh?"

Kouda moved his arms rapidly. His cheeks flushed, hands flapping to reassure Fuyu that no, there was no way he could've worked as hard as his fellow classmates. A bandage was taped to his fingers and one on his cheek.

Fuyu offered him a stupid looking, tired grin. Todoroki stood beside her, nonchalant with one hand gripping his school bag while the other was tucked into his pocket. Her backpack was turned around, settled onto her stomach so Fuyu could rest her arms over the lump. Her eyes were half-lidded from sleep, stomach empty and demanding to be fed but her mind too torn over sleeping or eating.

"Nah, don't lie," Fuyu said lazily. "I heard it from Jirou. Good job, yeah? Want me to heal that for you?"

Kouda gaped, shaking his head violently at the offer. Fuyu made a face and Todoroki glanced down to her before looking back at Kouda, "Ignore her. I should've let her stay in the infirmary."

"Zenji-sensei would've kicked me out if you hadn't come," Fuyu said flatly. She shut her eyes for a moment, lips pursing as though to draw energy from that simple action. Todoroki raised a brow.

"Want to head back?"

Kouda's face twisted in worry. Fuyu's eyes lazily slid open and she merely tipped her head from side to side. "'s go home, Roki. I'm tired. And hungry."

"Clearly."

"Shut yer trap."

Kouda gestured to her backpack. Fuyu's eyes suddenly popped open and she squinted at her classmate. Kouda balked. "Y'know, I've only ever heard your voice once, Kouda. Why don't you just talk?"

"I-I-It's just hard," Kouda whispered weakly, rubbing the back of his head. "I-I mean, t-t-there isn't much... to say—"

"'s okay," Fuyu bobbed her head. Todoroki's hand shot out to hit her backpack, halting her slump forward. Fuyu patted his hand and threw the appendage back in his direction. Todoroki merely withdrew his hand and sighed, a touch of frost on his lips. "I gotcha. Totally understand. Yup. Same here."

Her two classmates waited for a moment as Fuyu's eyes fluttered shut once more. She let out a small breath through her nose and then began to trudge forward, arms hugging her backpack comfortably. Todoroki followed her steps evenly and Kouda nervously fell into line with them, situated on Fuyu's other side.

"Mada was loud, huh?" Kouda nodded, turning to Fuyu. "Yeah, what a bastard. Don't tell him I said that though, he gave me English notes. We close? Eh, kinda. He's loud though. I normally don't get along too well with loud people. We're similar like that, huh? He's cool. I met him a few times before I came here."

The sun was low against the horizon. The walk toward the station home bathed in a warm, orange glow. Three shadows stretched long against the ground, the faint shift of leaves and branches dipping into view against them. Only a few students loitered by Yuuei's grand entrance, trickling out from clubs and other after school activities and specified practicals.

Fuyu's tired eyes watched her the tips of her worn out high tops come into view. Her shadow swayed with her movement. Todoroki's eyes were half-lidded beside her, watching the road and quiet. Kouda was moving his hands as he answered her questions and nervously continued their conversation toward the station. Todoroki spoke up every now and then.

Fuyu kept her arms snug around her Yao-brand backpack. Her lips played into a small smile, easy. A summer breeze, faintly warm, tugged at her hair.

The memory of a hand landing on her shoulder as she left the infirmary, leaving Midoriya and Bakugou behind. Aizawa squeezing her shoulder loosely, those quiet eyes watching her above his binding cloth.

"Good work."

A nervous hand touched her elbow. Fuyu looked up in faint surprise. Kouda flushed, looking flustered as he drew his hand back. He stuttered out, signing at the same time and motioning.

Fuyu turned her lazy smile his way. "Yeah. In a good mood."

Kouda gestured. Fuyu's face twisted in slight surprise, "Really? I mean, you didn't think I was gonna punch everyone, did ya?"

Kouda winced.

"Understandable. I do that sometimes. Ah...hot-blooded I guess. I like me now a little more too, thanks man."

Todoroki broke off from the three of them for a moment. Kouda and Fuyu stopped, talking a bit as they waited and Todoroki slid a bill into the vending machine. He pressed one button, then a second and finally a third. Three cans rolled down into the slot and he scooped them up, turning back to them.

He stopped at Fuyu's look of horror and Kouda's pensive face.

"What?"

"You don't..." Fuyu gestured vaguely with her hand. "Punch two?"

Todoroki looked at the cans in his arm and then back at them. "I punched three."

"No, no, like," Fuyu pressed imaginary buttons in the air with two fingers. "You push two at the same time. It's lucky! Sometimes you get two that come out, right Kouda?"

Kouda twiddled his fingers.

"Ah, you're just a good guy, huh? Regular one button and go."

Todoroki plucked a can from his grasp and held it out to Kouda. His classmate looked horrified by the gesture and Todoroki drew the can of apple juice back. "I didn't know what you liked. My bad."

Fuyu did a spit-take while Kouda floundered, trying to explain to Todoroki that it was fine and he meant well with the gesture. Fuyu muttered "Apologies" under her breath and Todoroki reached for the can of tea, a sweetened advertisement with the teacup logo and a flower on the rim of its cup as it beamed. Todoroki stretched his hand out and Fuyu reached for it.

"Push two at the same time?"

"Yeah," Fuyu took the can and popped the tab. "Probably won't work for you though. You might freeze the machine again."

Todoroki stabbed his straw through the strawberry flavored yogurt milk.

Kouda shyly took sips at his drink. Fuyu nursed hers while Todoroki drank from the straw, the three of them walking briefly in silence. A bird chirped in a tree above them and another called back to it. The two boys watched when Fuyu stopped by a heavy planter full of blooming ajisai, staring at the flowers before she cupped one heavy bud fondly.

A cat came up and curved itself around Todoroki's left leg. It hissed at Fuyu when she nudged its paw with her foot and Fuyu feigned throwing her can at it. Kouda coaxed the animal into settling itself down and Fuyu watched with mild contempt as it purred beneath his fingers. The cat batted at her shoe before taking off and she snapped a blurry picture of it running off, sending it to Shinsou. Todoroki leaned over slightly and she showed him the image, pulling up a roll of angry or blurry or angry and blurry cat photos.

"I'll call him later and see how he did with finals," Fuyu mused. "The General Department doesn't have a practical but I think they cover more with their written tests."

Todoroki turned his eyes sideways at her words. "...You called for Tokoyami."

"Yup," Fuyu popped the p, turning to Todoroki and patting her backpack fondly, "I would've kicked yer ass if anything happened to Ro—Momo."

"She handled everything. Her operation was a success."

"Damn straight."

Todoroki's hand went to his pocket for a moment. Fuyu followed the motion and noticed the particular bulge, raising a brow. "Whatcha got in there?"

"Nothing in particular."

"That doesn't sound shady at all. Kouda, let's ditch this guy. He can catch the next train."

"There's only one today. It leaves in ten minutes. We might not make it at this pace."

"That's a dig at me, isn't it? Kouda, hold my tea."

"If you were tired you could've spent the night in the infirmary."

"You know what, I'm too tired to punch you right now. I bet when the scores come out tomorrow mine's gonna be higher and I just want you to know that's the punch."

"I see."

Kouda smiled sheepishly, tapping at the watch on his wrist. Fuyu let out an inhumane screech and Todoroki eyed the sidewalks, only two women walking home from grocery shopping in sight.

"I could freeze the sidewalk."

"Roki, you monster."

---

"'Have you grown weary of this journey?'

The young man stopped. His arm was woven with the deep red string, clinging to his skin like a lover clasped in his grasp. An older woman watched him from the side of the road, seated upon a rounded rock.

'How could I?' the boy said happily. 'There is still so much to see.'

'Do you fear it?' the old woman asked. 'Traveling for eternity. What if you never find the end of that string?'

The boy smiled.

'I would live for an eternity like this.'

The woman turned, 'Searching?'

The string wove around him and pulled.

'Happy.'"

---

-Excerpt from "The Red String of Fate: Aka Ito"

---

Fuyu pressed her knuckles to her lips.

She couldn't imagine the next words coming out of her mouth, since she was a firm believer in leftovers and seconds, but it had to be done.

"I can't eat this much, Gram."

Naomi hummed, setting down the last plate onto the small wooden table with a loud clatter. Steam rose up from the hot, crispy mounds of fried chicken nestled over strips of lettuce with a lemon wedge on the side. Fuyu's eyes darted to every corner of the table where all available space was covered in food.

A rice cooker sat at her side, warm and ready to serve with her own bowl already in hand. Several plates of different dishes—grilled mackerel, roasted eel, slices of kalbi that still popped and sizzled off the hot plate. Fuyu felt her mouth flood and her knuckles prevented any drool from escaping when her eyes landed on the army of plates piled high with side dishes. Fuyu's stomach grumbled loudly and the hot, spicy smell of extra spicy mappo tofu wafted up to her nose.

"Nonsense," Naomi said happily. She tucked a strand of graying hair behind her ear and knelt down beside Fuyu, tucking the serving plate beneath her arm. "We can always pack it up and bring it out to eat tomorrow. You can pack some for lunch as well. I made all your favorites and I'll wait a bit then get the bath running for you. Chiyo-chan was nice and sent some lovely bath salts that are great for muscle pain and—"

"Gram," Fuyu looked imploringly at her grandmother, "if you keep going, I'm going to throw myself out the window."

"Not before you eat your last meal, you won't."

"How did we afford all this?" Fuyu said suspiciously. She moved to stand, eyes landing on the drawer where they kept spare funds. "If you used the money I told you guys to put away for—"

"We aren't despairing, dear," Naomi clicked her tongue. "I happened to cash in a few favors with some of the owners at the market the next station over. Remember when I did that little show for them?"

Yagi grunted from the corner of the room, finally speaking up from where he'd been shuffling through mounds of boxes and cursing as he pulled things apart. "You don't sing like you used to, I bet you put them to sleep and ran with the cash."

"My, I did no such thing," Naomi patted her legs. "You think I could outrun a bunch of men at this age?"

Yagi turned to look at his wife over his shoulder, eyes narrowing. "Idiot granddaughter, don't believe that beautiful woman for a second."

"You guys didn't answer my question," Fuyu said darkly. Her eyes threatened to fall shut and she patted her cheeks, shaking her head. Her stomach urged her attention. "I don't deserve this—"

"You sure as hell don't. I told you, you're spoiling her."

"Hush, you. Wash your hands and come eat with us."

"All I did was pass the practical," Fuyu rubbed at her head roughly, setting her rice bowl down and shuffling back from the table. "I-It's what I'm supposed to do. It's a requirement. Not a reward. I just wanted maybe... I dunno, a premium pudding cup or something! Gram, you didn't need to make all this—"

Fuyu stopped, staring hard at the plating and set up before her. "You... You started making all this... even though you didn't know—"

"Easy," Yagi said roughly. "If you failed, it would've been a pity party. If you passed, it was a pride party."

"He says that," Naomi said happily, reaching for a pair of chopsticks and setting them into Fuyu's waiting hand. Fuyu stopped, turning to look at her grandmother with trembling, shaking eyes and uncertain flashes. Naomi merely smiled, warm and loving and—

Proud.

"But I made it because I knew," Naomi continued, "that no granddaughter of this fool and myself could fail after working so hard."

"But I—"

"Now," Naomi said sternly, "if you let any of these dishes go cold, then you'll have some trouble with me. You eat till you can't eat anymore and then take a bath and sleep. You came in through that door looking ready to sleep in the entryway."

Because I would've. Fuyu thought, half in misery and half in pure, unadulterated happiness. But you guys were home.

"You can tell us more about that final after you've gotten some food in you," Naomi said simply. "You finally started putting on some weight again. No man likes a woman he can't feel with his hands, you know. That Quirk of yours takes a bit after mine after all, we always were such ravenous eaters."

Fuyu gripped the chopsticks in her hand. Her stomach roared at her to ditch all other thought and stuff her face with reckless abandon because you fought the number three hero you deserve it. But her lips pursed and something pulled sharply on the back of her mind, something cold and taut and it reminded her that no matter how much she convinced herself she was allowed this she—

Am I really?

Can I really have this?

"This," a warm hand on her back, urging her forward. "Is your room."

"The doors."

"Hmm?"

"...the screen doors... can we take them out?"

"...of course. It's your room, after all."

"Keep flapping your lips and you won't get any of this," Yagi warned. Naomi tutted under her breath. "And if you did bad on the written exams, expect some punishment after all this reward, got it? Regardless, you're helping me in the yard tomorrow after school. Helping Nao with the kids this weekend too."

Fuyu didn't argue. She bobbed her head. Naomi beamed, clasping her hands together. "My, I should've given Hitoshi a call to come over... He must be tired from exams as well though. Invite him and some of your friends over next time, Fuyu. I'd love to meet those classmates of yours. They all seemed so extraordinary on the television!"

"Buncha idiots, probably," Yagi said without remorse. "Except for a few of them."

"I think they seemed lovely. Very lively!"

I don't deserve this. Fuyu thought roughly. She picked up a juicy, steaming piece of fried chicken and lifted it to her lips. Naomi began to pour her a cup of tea and Fuyu kept her grip on her rice bowl tight. I don't deserve any of this. But... But since I have it—

Wet, fat tears rolled down the corners of her cheeks. Naomi began to hum, a soothing, familiar melody as she poured the tea into the cup. Yagi finally settled down beside them, reaching for his own chopsticks as Fuyu choked, chewing as tears began to dribble down her chin and she sniffled—relief, happiness, exhaustion, fear, pride—it all came crashing down around her and she cried because—

I'm going to hold onto this and never let go.

"I'm going to eat until I throw up."

"That's the spirit, dear."

"Make a mess and I'll smack you into next week."

---

Kaminari Denki (20:32)

can some1 pls comfort me

this sadness is too much (;-;)

Kouki Fuyu (20:33) when was I invited to this group chat?

Kirishima Eijiro (20:33) Bro, i feel u so hard

Sero Hanta (20:34) hope 4 the best, bros

Kouki Fuyu (20:36) what did you just send? All I got was a box

Kaminari Denki is typing...

Sero Hanta is typing...

Kirishima Eijiro is typing...

For christmas we're all gonna chip in a get u a new phone, ok

Kouki Fuyu (20:37) but I like this phone

Don't replace what isn't broken

Kaminari Denki (20:37) Fuyu-chan will u give me a hug tmmrw, I need a pity prty

Kirishima Eijiro (20:38) have to be manly and face the class tmmrw guys, Mina was texting me just now too

Kaminari Denki (20:39) pls hug me, IAM SAD ;-;

Bakugou Katsuki (20:39) all you idiots need to shut the fuck up and stop blowing up my phone

I told you not to add me, shitty hair

Kouki Fuyu (20:39) guys I think I just figured out how to send an emoji like yours

Kouki Fuyu sent an image.

A slender, scarred middle finger appeared onto the screen.

Kaminari Denki (20:40) WAS THAT FOR MEE

Sero Hanta (20:40) lmao

Kirishima Eijiro (20:41) wait...

Bakugou Katsuki (20:42) you're dead, apples

Kouki Fuyu (20:42) I hope you blow up your phone

---

Todoroki Shouto sent an image.

It'll be toward the end of summer break. There are three different viewing days. A small festival is held by the park station a few blocks away on the second one when the meteor show is supposed to be at its brightest. We can go to that. I'll send it to the others.

Kouki Fuyu (20:53) sounds good to me, thanks for doing the leg work Roki

Kouki Fuyu (20:53)...is that one of Rozu's dolls in the corner?

Todoroki Shouto sent an image.

Kouki Fuyu(20:53) ok, I know I'm not the best with phones either but u just sent me a picture of your floor

Todoroki Shouto sent an image.

Kouki Fuyu(20:54)that's ur futon

Kouki Fuyu (20:54) this is just payback frm earlier isn't it

Kouki Fuyu sent an image.

Todoroki Shouto (20:54) Why do you have a photo of my father?

Kouki Fuyu (20:56)it was for a shopping scavenger hunt at the market for a coupon for meat

Todoroki Shouto (20:56) Delete it.

---

Midoriya Izuku (21:02) Kouki! Sorry to bother you this late, I just wanted to let you know that you did amazing during your practical! It was riveting and very informative to watch and I took a bunch of notes if you'd like to see them tomorrow!

Thank you for stopping by the infirmary! Recovery Girl told you me you offered to help out, thank you!

Kouki Fuyu (21:05)you saw me get my ass handed to me, huh

Midoriya Izuku (21:05) Not at all! You were up against Hawks and it was amazing seeing the fight this close. You did really well!

Kouki Fuyu (21:05) he threw me thru a coffee table

Midoriya Izuku (21:05) I still think you did amazing.

SORRY, I DON'T MEAN THAT IN A PATRONIZING WAY.

Kouki Fuyu (21:06)you're fine, I gotcha. Thanks, Midoriya.

Kouki Fuyu (21:06) by the way, was there someone else in the infirmary? Shuzenji said it was a regular of hers, but they seemed kinda familiar

I think you had the same booth with him so I was curious if you saw his face

Midoriya Izuku is typing...

Midoriya Izuku is typing...

Midoriya Izuku is typing...

Midoriya Izuku (21:10) I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN? AN OLDER MAN CAME IN FOR HELP IF THAT'S WHAT YOU MEAN, MAYBE? I'M NOT SURE THOUGH!

Kouki Fuyu (21:10) it's cool, I was just curious

I think u left your caps on by the way

---

Shinsou Hitoshi (21:10)Was it running away from you again?

Kouki Fuyu (21:10) I chased it off

Shinsou Hitoshi (21:10) ...so it ran away from you.

Kouki Fuyu (21:11) i'm telling gram not to give you any leftovers

---

Kouki Fuyu (21:23) Yami, there's a dumpling shop by my work. When I get off tomorrow I'll treat you if you're free

Tokoyami Fumikage (21:29) I will make the necessary arrangements.

---

Yaoyorozu Momo sent an image.

Two matryoshka dolls sat in a small glass case. One painted in Yaoyorozu's fashion while the other resembled Fuyu.

Isn't it lovely?

Kouki Fuyu (21:42) holy shit, you really did it.

Yaoyorozu Momo (21:42) It wasn't very difficult at all! I found a nice glass element and crafted the case to hold them all in. The dolls were used with a smooth based paint—

---

"Come here, idiot."

Fuyu looked over her shoulder. Her head had been resting against one of the sofa cushions she'd dragged down to the floor with her. Sprawled out against the floor, stomach rounded, skin still pleasantly warm from the long bath she'd nearly fallen asleep in. Her phone vibrated occasionally at her side, a few new messages popping up as she flipped the top shut. Fuyu rolled over onto her back and then faced her grandfather.

The room was warm. His feet hung off the edge of the wooden platform that stretched into their small yard. A cool, evening summer breeze filtered out the lingering heat from cooking and the bath. Fuyu's hair still clung a little damp to her shoulders and she shuffled over to her grandfather, stopping a few feet away.

He was surrounded by various boxes he'd been sorting through since she came home. Some dustier than others, most all kept in mint condition. Piles of books and smaller boxes were laid out around him, a few thick tomes in his lap. One of his hands rested on it while the other sat at his side, the fading ends of a cigarette trailing up into the air. She couldn't see his face.

Fuyu'd always thought his back was broad in some strange, different kind of way. His shoulders weren't wide. His back didn't stretch across an expanse—but it was always firm. It always curved but never bended. Fuyu remembered seeing a scar or two once before and the peeking ink of a tattoo along his lower back. Gramps was a badass when he was young, according to Gram.

Yagi Kouki's back carried countless weights and he bore them all effortlessly. He strained, he trudged, but in Fuyu's eyes he'd never faltered. He'd curse his on feet before he cursed anything else and he'd attack his own legs before he attacked the world.

Yagi Kouki was the kind of person Fuyu hoped she could be, if only just a bit.

"...the semester almost over?"

"Ends this week," Fuyu said. "Closing ceremonies on Friday."

Yagi grunted. A summer breeze blew past them and he put out the cigarette in the ash tray beside him. They could hear Naomi humming softly in the kitchen, that familiar, sweet tune Fuyu always loved.

"She loved this song."

"You've still got a long way to go before coming close to those people they call heroes."

Fuyu snorted, tucking her legs under her as she came to kneel beside her grandfather. "I know."

"Can't go swingin' your fists at everyone that pisses you off."

"I've been good."

"You outta stay good. Don't be like me, you hear? I won't stand for any of that."

"Yessir."

"You're cheekier lately."

"Yessir."

Yagi scoffed. "You making good use of the time those people put in for you?"

Fuyu gripped her shorts. "Yeah."

"They all treat you good?"

"Yeah," Fuyu said softly.

"Sure you don't want to back out and go somewhere else?"

Fuyu glanced to him in surprise. Yagi's face was half hidden by the shadowed light of evening. His eyes were calm, the line of that thin scar that slipped into his hairline. Tufts of grayed hair covering his head in a smooth, full curve. Fuyu'd seen older pictures of him before—he'd been handsome in a rough kind of way. Cheeky.

"I'd like to stay here," Fuyu said, more sure of anything she'd ever said so far. "At Yuuei. If that's okay."

Yagi bent his head a bit, rifling through his pocket before he ceased his search. His hand dropped to his lap and his lip tugged up a bit at the corner.

"What'd you say that name of yours was again?"

Fuyu straightened, her heart thudded a little louder in her chest. "Akaito. The Hero of Fate: Akaito."

Yagi grumbled under his breath, "It'll be hard to catch on with people overseas."

"They can just call me Aka."

Yagi laughed, it was rough, throaty. Fuyu let her own smile play on her lips and she shuffled closer to her grandfather. "You think I'll make it all the way to America?"

"Hell if I know," Yagi snapped. He rubbed the back of his neck as though to hide his earlier mirth. His words lacked the bite. "At your pace I might not live long enough to see that."

Fuyu shoved his arm. Yagi slapped her hand.

The soft sound of a record player switched on. Naomi's humming grew softer as the music began to fill the room.

"When you finally decided to open your mouth," Yagi began roughly. "I always wondered what the first thing you'd say to us would be. Cry? Curse? Count it all down? Had no idea how much that... that bastard had done. No idea what he'd left behind for us to have."

Fuyu remained silent, watching the trees force the flowers she and Naomi had planted to bow beneath its caress. They turned, bathed in moonlight away from the sun.

"You spoke so little. Asked the stupidest things. Can I use this? May I eat this? I wanted to shake you around and..." Yagi stopped. He pressed a hand to his lips, eyes focused on something far in the distance.

"I even called to see how those other kids were getting' along," Yagi said roughly. "I'd wait. I'd wait however long it took, I guess. There was nothing else I could do. Nao took you to those kids. You'd come home bloody and beaten and bruised and I could only hope that'd keep you around a bit longer."

He tapped the book in his lap. "Then you finally started to ask about her."

Fuyu felt her blood pulse beneath her skin. It warmed against her palms, pressing, edging its way out of her body.

"You talked about it like you didn't even deserve to say her name," Yagi scoffed. "Wanted to really hit you for that."

"You did."

"Never said anything when you touched these books like they'd break. Didn't want to scare you off when you looked through the ones you could reach like you were waiting for one of us to tell you to stop," Yagi pushed the book over in his lap toward her. Fuyu kept her hands to herself. "You never looked through this one, did you?"

Fuyu shook her head. Yagi crossed his arms over his chest and bent down. He ran his fingers over the top of a stray leaf growing from the yard.

"Open it up then, you fool."

Fuyu swallowed. Her heart hammered loudly in her chest, blurring and blinding memories all fighting for center stage in the horrid haze of her mind. The faded memories hurt, hurt so much that she couldn't help but love them because they were all she had of such a short time with someone she'd barely known. It was hard to imagine feeling so strongly for someone she had been with so little but—

Would you hate me if you knew how much I loved you?

I took her away from you. Fuyu had always thought, staring at Yagi and Naomi's back. She'd taken their precious daughter away from them. They didn't owe her everything. They should've hated her from the moment she was born with a bad heart because she was the one who took from their daughter who always gave.

It'd felt wrong to ever say that she'd loved her mother. Wrong to be allowed to love someone who'd she'd done something so awful to.

Fuyu thumbed the heavy cover and then flipped it over.

The music filtered past her ears.

"I know your eyes in the morning sun."

Ai Kouki. Age 5.

Small, chubby fingers were reaching out for something the picture couldn't grasp. Her mother was small, a wide, crooked smile with a few missing teeth. Her hair was a warm shade of brown like melted chocolate, Naomi's hair. Yagi had glassy, faint blue eyes like a thin slab of ice, almost transparent. His Quirk, maybe. Naomi's were a soft shade of brown lighter than her hair.

Ai's were a bright, beautiful red. Rounded like apples. Dark like rubies. They shone.

"And you come to me on a summer breeze. Keep me warm in your love."

Fuyu flipped the pages. Each photo crafted the story of her mother's childhood. It was bright, filled with color. Ai was loud—photos crying out with outrage and laughter as she threw herself off high swing sets with a younger, handsome Yagi tossing his suit behind him to catch her. She seemed a bit troublesome, a few photos of her kneeling in the corner with a pout when she must've done something wrong. Photos of her as a child arguing with Yagi while Naomi laughed.

She always seemed to be plunging her hands into something. A photo with Yagi squatting beside her, a suit jacket thrown over his shoulder with his sleeves rolled up, baring a few dark tattoos to the world as he helped her make mud balls. Yagi with his mouth opened mid-complaint as Ai spoon-fed him something she'd made. Ai atop his shoulders as she reached for a cherry blossom branch. Ai in Naomi's lap, pressing a kiss to her mother's cheek.

"Then you softly leave. And it's me you need to show..."

A photo of the three of them at the beach. Ai and her parents at her entrance ceremonies. Her mother in middle school, hair pulled back into a ponytail and a wide, cheeky grin on her face. Fuyu ran her finger down the smooth edges of the photo cover at the array of photos of her mother at various events. Several of her classmates laughing as she hoisted herself atop a cavalry team. Her horrified face as she fell from trying to snatch bread. Her mother with her head bowed as she studied and an amused Naomi beside her, helping.

Fuyu turned the page.

Her mother's hair went down her back. She left the ponytail behind and the warm brown tufts swept over her shoulder like a wave. Her red eyes glittered with mischief and life in the photo and she clasped her hands tight around an older Yagi's neck, hanging off of him in her high school uniform as she laughed, Naomi proud beside them.

Fuyu swallowed this image into her memory.

"Had a good Quirk they told her," Yagi said quietly. "Said she ought to get her license and go somewhere good. She had the personality for it when she really settled down."

"People would've loved her," Fuyu whispered.

"People did," Yagi said. He rubbed the back of his neck. "But she didn't have too much fun with that. Said she would become a teacher or a school nurse. Plenty of heroes out there. She could do something good along the way. She always wanted to save things though."

Yagi pressed a hand to his forehead. He bowed his head.

"Cause we're living in a world of fools, breaking us down."

"Didn't believe there were people who weren't worth it," Yagi whispered brokenly.

Fuyu couldn't bring herself to flip to the next page.

"She had all of Nao's beauty," Yagi chuckled, pulling his hand from his face and smiling absently at the floor. "None of her charm. Took too much after me in that part. Had me walking on pins and needles—me, the man who used to fear nothin' but his own head because I thought she might become some idiot like I was. Like I am."

Yagi gazed out into the back. He watched the flowers sway, listened to the music singing softly around them. He pressed his fingers to his mouth for a moment, watching, waiting, and then he drew them aside.

"You laugh just like her, you know."

His hand settled over Fuyu's.

They turned the next page together.

"What happened here?" Fuyu asked quietly. The photo was of her mother, lips parted in terror as she nearly threw herself over a fence.

Yagi laughed. "Idiot tried to sneak into a shelter and help heal some stray they took in she used to look after."

Fuyu looked up. "Was she good with animals?"

"Hated her for some damn reason. Nao was always more of a dog person anyway."

Fuyu's hand drifted to another photo. Her mother was laughing with tears coming out of her eyes, dressed in a silver and red yukata that matched her eyes with a flower pin in her hair. She looked to be about to fall over into a pond and one of her friends was trying to grab her.

"Summer festival," Yagi said. "Some fool asked her out on a date. Didn't know what he signed up for."

Fuyu hesitated for a moment. Something urged her, loud and relentless in her chest. A passion and a voice she didn't think she'd have before going to U.A. A desire. A force. A want.

A will.

"Tell me more," Fuyu said quietly. "Please."

Yagi merely smiled, wry, crooked, just like her mother. His hand absently reached for a box at his side before he dropped it and shook his head. "Somethin' else I want to show you. But you get to see it after you graduate."

"Two more years..." Fuyu mused. She tapped the next photo with her scarred knuckles. "My request counts for the other albums too."

"You're getting greedy, idiot."

Yagi and Fuyu turned the next page. Her fingers drifted down the sight of her mother, hair wild and full and her smile a fierce, blazing grin as she hoisted a young child into her arms—an elementary school student she helped student-teach at a school for.

"I want to make her proud," Fuyu said softly, just loud enough to have left her lips.

Yagi ran his finger over the next photo of her mother. Older, college. She stood with her hands on her hips, grinning brightly at the camera with cherry blossoms in her hair and a pile of books at her feet. Her smile was so, so wide.

"You never didn't."

"We belong to you and me."

---

"Live a good life, Fuyu."

---

He always hated being high up.

Even footsteps echoed along the stairwell ascending deeper into darkness. Around him, bricked in walls and the lingering smell of something tangy and the bite of smoke. There were spots of mildew growing along the corner of the walls, a few flickering light bulbs guiding the way as the group ascended deeper and deeper and deeper.

It made sense—he loved the ground. Nothing could beat the feeling of his toes digging into the earth, his feet planted firmly on the ground before him, sinking deep. But high, here, in this concrete jungle—he hated that. The deeper these buildings went only promised deeper, thicker walls of concrete and mixed elements. He could barely feel the life from the whisper of wood above him or lining the floorboards of some of the rooms. They dulled at his senses. Made him feel deaf. They took him farther and farther from the steady earth beneath his feet.

High places made him feel trapped. Made him feel dangerous. Made him testy.

But underground reminded him too much of that hellhole.

Four different pairs of steps—his own, even, lingering against the grounded wooden floorboards where he could feel the bit of life still thrumming through them. Toga's—bouncy, light, swift, a pleased smile on her face. The guy trailing a bit behind them with a patchwork of scars and staples holding his face together—languid, lazy, a bit on the lighter side with a touch of power. He was keeping one eye on him—he didn't know what to expect of whatever applicant they decided to pull together for this show. If the burn marks and scars were anything to go by, he'd keep a careful distance from him. Fire wasn't his favorite to be around either.

Giran's steps; even, easy, clipped. The one who'd assembled them all together for pleasantries.

"Alright, we're here," Giran came to a halt before a heavily barred, seemingly regular speak-easy sort of door. "Our client is a little...testy at times, but from what I've gathered, I think we'll all get along swimmingly, no? Just let me do some the introductions first."

He cast a quick look over his shoulder. He could feel the low pull of wood from the inside. Old, creaking, but it'd do.

"Just open the door, old man," the man behind him drawled. Toga hummed happily, linking her arm through his and he turned his gaze back to Giran.

Giran grinned, revealing a glittering tooth. "Without further ado."

His knuckles rasped on the door twice before he pushed the knob down and drew the door open.

"Shigaraki," Giran said pleasantly. "You all have been the talk of the town for the past few days. I hear you're starting something big—"

"And? Who are they?"

The burned man behind him snorted.

In an instant he felt the faint pull of the lingering life in the low lit bar room. Sleek wooden counters, scratched but smoothed out wooden floors. I can work with this. An elegant collection of bottles lined the back wall, old posters ripped down and several stools lining the countertop.

Less like a base. He thought absently. Giran stepped aside to hold the door open and usher them in with a low grin. Toga skipped forward and he let her pull him along, stepping into the room and feeling the wood creak beneath his feet. The scarred young man followed after them, sliding his hands into his pockets.

More like the kinda place deals are made.

His senses pulled ahead in full focus. You know what you need to do.

Two figures turned at their presence.

This one's a piece of work. He tipped his head back, keeping his eyes on the pale, heavy hand that shielded his face—Shigaraki Tomura—the supposed head boss behind the League of Villains. They'd been accredited with more than he could claim for himself, breaking into a Yuuei facility, attempting an assault on the All Might... They had a backing. A following.

The Hero Killer: Stain.

They had power.

Enough to take everything you built down.

"So it's you," the man beside him mused. Toga kept her arm linked comfortably through his, he reached over and gave her skirt one tug. I'm watching him. "I saw a picture of you, but you look gross in person..."

"Hey, hey, Dai-kun, it's really the hand guy!" Toga whispered loudly by his ear. He could feel her excitement thrumming through her veins. "You're friends with the great Stain, right? Right? Let us join too—the League of Villains!"

Stain believed in changing the hero society for the better. He kept his eyes focused evenly on Shigaraki, perhaps only a few years older than themselves, really. He had a good idea. He didn't fight for something half bad.

"And?" a voice whispered in the back of his head, low, conniving, it made him sick. Angry. "You've survived this long. What are you looking to do, boy?"

Bright red eyes and hands slipping through a screen door for his.

Save you.

"Kurogiri," Shigaraki seethed, jutting a finger their way and he narrowed his eyes at the misted man behind the bar counter. "Get rid of these guys. Everything I hate came together in one set. Two brats and a guy with no manners."

Kurogiri turned, misted arms reaching out in a placating gesture. "Now, now, they came all this way to visit... let's just hear them out at least, Tomura Shigaraki."

He's running the scene and he doesn't want more people working for him? He narrowed his eyes. His loose gray shirt had been tucked into the waistband of his jeans, but a few thin bags of seeds and dirt were tucked into the pockets of his brown jacket. Toga had her knives on her. What's this guy's angle? Giran told us it'd be worth it.

"Besides," Kurogiri continued as he turned back toward them. "That big shot broker brought them after all... They must be valuable assets."

"I don't care what you do with them, but make sure I get my commission, Kurogiri." Giran said easily. "Well, I suppose I can at least introduce them for you."

Toga perked up as Giran motioned to her. "First, this cute high school girl. Her name and face were kept tightly under wraps by the media, but she's on the run as the suspect to a series of deaths by blood loss."

"I'm Toga! Toga Himiko!" Toga said brightly. "It's hard to live! I want the world to become an easier place to live for people like me and Dai-kun—I want to become Mr. Stainy! I want to kill him! I want—"

He patted her arm.

"Ah! So let us join the League of Villains, Tomura!" Toga said excitedly, stepping forward. "I'm looking forward to working with you!"

"I don't get her," Shigaraki said lowly, annoyance hinting at his tone. "Is she crazy?"

Giran opened his mouth to respond but he spoke up, tipping his head to the side, "She just gets a bit excited when it comes to... her idol."

Toga nodded happily beside him and he saw a glint of dark red eyes beneath the hand shielding his face. "Seems crazy to me if she can't even speak for herself."

His lips curled into a small grin. "Think so?"

Shigaraki's nails scraped against the wood. He felt the dig of his nails.

"Now, now," Giran said brightly, "these two come in a bit of a package you see. Well, makes it all the better for you. You're getting a good deal with this young man right here, you know. People paid big money for his services in the past and I think you'd like to have this card in your hand. It could prove very... fruitful."

Shigaraki tipped his head, irritation in his tone, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Why, you've got one of the Florist's best products standing right before you!" Giran said proudly. "You know how hard it is to get your hands on one of his goods? He came with the girl so I didn't charge extra, but it would've costed a fortune to find him."

"You were from the Florist's group?" Kurogiri inquired with a hint of interest. "Considering your age, I didn't think there were many survivors."

His lips curled downwards a touch. "I've got nothing to do with that piece of shit anymore."

"What," Shigaraki said lowly, "you just used goods?"

His hand reached for his neck, fingers dancing along the edge of his collarbone before they dipped back and they barely brushed against the mottled, angry scar against his shoulder. He could feel the eyes of the burned man on him.

Toga slid her arm through his.

"Just a weed," he said evenly, "he couldn't get rid of."

Kurogiri shifted toward him, "Did you have a name?"

The question cut him lower than it should've. The answer was an easy yes, but the thoughts that came hurtling back and the distant thought of ah, no, did he really?—all came rushing back at him—

"You can have his name then," soft hands flipping the page. "It's a good name."

"Daiki," he said. "No last name."

"Next, this guy over here," Giran said easily, "He hasn't committed any flashy crimes, but he holds fast to the Hero Killer's ideology."

"I'm uneasy about this," the ink haired male said flatly. "Does this organization really have a just cause? Don't tell me you're going to let this crazy person in?" He narrowed his eyes but Toga looked happy nonetheless. "And I've heard about what that dead guy, The Florist did. Didn't all those kids he stole just end up becoming monsters?"

He narrowed sea glass eyes at forest green. "You seem awful fragile if you ask me. Sure you won't break, Dai-kun?"

"Dai-kun's mine!" Toga said happily. "You can't have him!"

The wood beneath Daiki's feet groaned.

"Hey, you. You can't even do what that crazy high school girl was able to do." Shigaraki remarked sharply. "Give your name first. You're an adult, right?"

"I currently go by Dabi," he said finally.

"That's not what I want to know," Shigaraki said coldly. "What's your real name?"

Dabi shrugged, glancing to the side. "I'll tell you when it's time. I fully intend to carry out the will of the Hero Killer."

"You don't have to say what you haven't been asked," Shigaraki said. His hand settled against the countertop, fingers dangling off the edge as he pushed himself to his feet. Daiki narrowed his eyes. "Jeez... everyone's so hung up about Stain, Stain, Stain... I don't like it."

"You mustn't Shigaraki—"

Daiki planted his feet firmly against the wooden floorboards of the ground beneath him. Shigaraki swayed on his feet, hands dangling at his sides.

"I don't feel good."

Daiki froze. Toga beside him went ramrod straight and even Dabi stiffened briefly.

The air snapped.

"You're all no good—"

He heard the familiar schlick of Toga's knife sliding from her sleeve as she stepped around him and swung it forward in a graceful arch. The air burned, sizzling and crackling as smoke trailed from Dabi's palm as he raised his hand. The wood beneath him groaned and Daiki pushed, fingers curling and curling as it popped and came to life in his head and he slammed his fist into his palm.

Shigaraki's hands never reached them.

Gaping portals appeared, hovering the in air around them. Toga's knife had slammed into the floor, Shigaraki's hands directed elsewhere from where the portals met with his arms and Dabi's smoldering palm crackled in the corner of the room.

Daiki kept himself carefully wound. The wood at his feet had risen, splitting apart and curving protectively around himself and Toga through thin and sturdy bars. The outwards edges had curved with a ferocious line of splintered spikes. His own wooden beams had peeled off from the bar counter, disappearing through a swirling vortex and reappearing impaled through a wall behind them.

Daiki exhaled carefully. Giran blew out a cloud of smoke.

"Please calm down, Tomura Shigaraki," Kurogiri said soothingly. "If what you wish is to come to pass, then we must increase the organization's numbers. Strangely enough, we're in the spotlight right now, so now is our chance."

Kurogiri's ethereal body stretched from the metallic brace along his neck. Daiki narrowed his eyes, wood swaying at his feet. Broken whispers by Shigaraki's ear couldn't reach them, but whatever Kurogiri had said, it seemed to have been fairly enough.

"Shut up."

Shigaraki jerked his arms back and the vortexes disappeared. The wood around them groaned, settling back into place and Toga patted one fondly as it sank back and settled against the ground. Shigaraki strode past them, radiating heat and fury as Daiki side stepped so he could pass.

Giran smirked, "Where are you going?"

"Shut up!" Shigaraki stormed from the bar without a second glance back.

Daiki grunted, shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he leaned back against the counter. Toga hummed beside him. "I don't know if a guy with a temper like that should be leading something like this."

"I don't want to complain about a client," Giran admitted. "But he's young... Too young."

"I thought he was going to kill us," Toga admitted brightly.

Dabi scoffed. "He makes me sick."

"...would it be all right to give you an answer at a later date?" Kurogiri said slowly, almost gently. Daiki turned over his shoulder toward the misted man. He's got a crafty power. "I believe he knows what he should do. It's because he knows that he left without saying anything. All Might... Hero Killer... he's been humbled twice now. But I'm sure he will reach an answer... one that both you and he, himself, will be satisfied with."

"'s not your job to have to explain his actions," Daiki said lowly. Kurogiri inclined his head. "...but I can't deny the fact that more would get done with people like with a little more leg way than what we have together."

"Besides," Toga hummed happily in agreement. Daiki crossed his arms over his chest and a low, curling smile touched his lips as he eyed Kurogiri behind the counter.

"He's not the only one pulling the shots, is he?"

Just wait a little longer. I'll come get you.

---

"Then we can raise some hell."

---

"Everyone... I'm... I'm looking forward... to hearing your stories about training camp!"

Ashido's wail pierced the air, tears pricking her eyes. Satou, Kirishima and Kaminari hung their heads in defeat, heavy lines shadowing their faces.

Fuyu awkwardly patted Ashido's shoulder. I was this close to failing too... I owe you one Sora.

"W-We don't know for sure yet!" Midoriya tried to appease, hurriedly waving his hands with a hopeful smile. "There might be some last minute twist!"

Fuyu bobbed her head in agreement.

"Stop, guys. If you say it out loud, you might jinx it," Sero sighed, clasping Fuyu and Midoriya over the shoulders. "We just have to wait and see."

"If we failed the exams," Kaminari began darkly. "Then we'd have to skip training camp and be in summer school hell. And since we didn't pass the practical exam... if you guys still don't get it—"

Fuyu balked, snapping her head to the side. Kaminari's fingers came crashing down and Midoriya let out a garbled cry as Kaminari mercilessly jabbed his eyes. "—then you're dumber than monkeys!"

"Calm down." Sero sighed. Fuyu winced, muttering apologies to Midoriya for dodging and quickly grabbing his string. Todoroki standing a desk away watched as Fuyu crumpled to the ground and cupped her hands over her eyes, kicking the floor as Midoriya blinked in confusion before his mouth dropped in horror. "That's too long."

Sero nervously tugged at the collar of his uniform, "I'm not sure either, you know. Our team passed thanks to Mineta but I was just sleeping the whole time."

Ochako worriedly fluttered over Fuyu crumpled on the floor. Midoriya was waving his hands, apologizing rapidly and offering to take the pain back. Kaminari trembled pitifully beside them while Todoroki crouched down beside her fallen form, offering a frosted hand. "Plus, since we don't know how they're scoring it..."

"If you feel bad for us, then I dunno! Just bring me back lots of stuff, okay?" Kaminari said desperately. "Don't forget about us! Okay? Okay?"

The door slid open with a loud slam. Todoroki looked up, his hand hovering a safe distance over Fuyu's eyes while she sat in blissful peace. Aizawa faced them all with an even deadpan, his books tucked under one arm.

"Once the bell rings, get in your seats."

He stepped to the podium and turned out to them. Aizawa eyed the silent faces, some dejected, Fuyu's twisted in a weird grimace as she pressed a frozen handkerchief to her eyes. He stared at that sight for a second longer, blinking before he addressed the class.

"Unfortunately, there are those of you who did not pass the final exams."

Kaminari and Kirishima crumpled in their seats. Satou sighed heavily behind her and Ashido clutched her hands to her chest in agony.

"Accordingly, for the training camp in the woods... everyone's going."

"A LAST MINUTE TWIST!"

"This pain was worth nothing then," Fuyu said darkly as she pulled the frozen cloth away and blinked wearily. "I'm getting Kami back for this."

"We can go too?" Kirishima said eagerly. "We can really go?"

"Yeah," Aizawa said flatly. "Some failed, but no one failed the written exam. In the practical, Kirishima, Kaminari, Ashido, Satou and Sero failed."

Sero jolted, eyes growing wide before he sunk in his seat and slapped a hand to his forehead. "I knew it... Just because my team passed didn't mean I scored high enough not to fail..."

"For this time's exam, we on the villain side made sure to leave a way for the students to win while watching to see how you all would take on the task at hand. If we hadn't, most of you would've gotten stuck before you started."

"If ya say it like that," Fuyu muttered, letting her head hit the desk. "You make it sound like we really were freaking weak then..."

"So when you said you were going all out to crush us..." Ojiro trailed off.

"Just to make you feel cornered," Aizawa said. His eyes flickered to where Fuyu's head was pressed into the desk then over to Midoriya and Bakugou. "Granted, some of us may have done a better job at it than others. In the first place, the training camp in the woods is one to increase strength. So those who failed need it the most. They have to get stronger."

Aizawa grinned, "It was a logical ruse."

Iida clenched his fist as the small group broke out in loud cheers. "I was tricked again! As expected of U.A... However, you lied to us twice, our faith in you will waiver, Aizawa-sensei!"

Fuyu clasped her hands together and let her chin rest over them. "I feel like it's been awhile since the class was this loud."

Tokoyami blinked. "We did have tests."

"Yami, why ya gotta be like that?"

"That's true." Aizawa said idly. "I'll consider that. However, everything I said wasn't a lie. Failure is failure."

The five cheering went stiff.

"We have prepared a separate time for extra lessons for you all," Aizawa said flatly. "Frankly, it'll be tougher than the extra lessons you'd get if you stayed at school."

A loud, relieved sigh escaped Fuyu's nose. Ochako peered over Kouda's shoulder curiously. "Why so relieved, Fuyu-chan? Actually, I'm surprised you're so onboard with the training camp now! Have you finally had a change of heart?"

"Nah, I just..." Fuyu turned and fixed Ochako with an honest look. "Really glad I don't have to take those extra lessons."

Ochako smiled, a hint of pity.

"...Fuyu-chan... you know Aizawa-sensei outside of school, huh?"

---

"...are these pamphlets...supposed to be this thick?"

Tokoyami looked up. Fuyu was perched on his desk, legs crossed and crowding his space as she squinted warily at the heavy booklet they'd all received at the end of hero informatics. "I swear my middle school one didn't have this much stuff in it."

"As expected of U.A," Momo murmured beside her. Jirou nodded, flipping through the booklet. "They thoroughly cover all parts of the trip… My there's even suggestions on pre-departure and post."

Fuyu made a face. "It's just… a summer trip, isn't it? With some… I dunno, training involved?"

"We'd do best not to underestimate the power behind them," Tokoyami said sagely. "We should consider every shadow of doubt."

"Yami, I ain't got the money to buy all this."

"I-I can help provide anything you may need outside of your budget!" Momo quickly offered, turning bright and eager eyes Fuyu's way. She balked. "The quality will be of the best—"

"Momo, if you do that I'm going to throw myself out the window."

Jirou patted her knee with an earjack, "Please don't."

"Kouki! Please sit properly in a desk or stand! Sitting on them is not allowed!" Iida exclaimed. Fuyu flapped her pamphlet his way in half-amusement.

"Well, either way, it's nice we can all go at least, right?" Ojiro offered as he waved the pamphlet with his tail. "Just like a real class trip."

"It will be an entire week of training," Iida reminded them, opening the book while shooting Fuyu looks to see if she'd get down. Midoriya peered around his elbow at the list of items.

"Kouki's right, there is a lot of stuff, huh?"

"I don't have a bathing suit or anything," Kaminari murmured. "It's been so long since I've been to the beach or the pool…"

Sero snickered, "Probably because you give anyone a heart attack showing up."

"Night vision goggles!" Mineta declared.

Fuyu's mouth dropped, quickly skimming through the book for such a thing. Tokoyami shook his head with a sigh. "I mean, some of these I think I've got lying around the house… a flashlight… training shoes… our gym uniform should work…"

Fuyu's brows furrowed and she tipped her head to the side in thought. Her fingers moved as she idly calculated the cost of any external items she'd need to buy. "I can bring my supplements… "

Ochako tapped her booklet. "I know a cheap place that sells a lot of this stuff, Fuyu-chan. Don't worry."

The two girls gazed at each other for a moment. Fuyu wordlessly clasped Ochako over the shoulder and her friend bobbed her head in understanding.

"Snacks!" Ashido cheered. "We should all bring snacks! Oh my god, I'll bring some facemasks for us to do at night too!"

Jirou perked up, "I don't know if I'll have room for a guitar, but I can definitely bring a speaker."

"I'll bring Uno!" Hagakure said excitedly. "I'll bring my make-up kit with me too!"

Ashido linked her arm through hers. "How about I handle the make-up, Tooru-chan?"

"I-I can bring several things as well!" Momo offered eagerly. "Perhaps some tea thermos… Ah, I can always make some of my beauty products… No, I may as well bring them for us! The cakes may not be too good by the time we get there… But we can eat them on the bus!"

"I can bring rice crackers!" Ochako said happily.

Fuyu scratched her cheek, pursing her lips for a moment before she snapped her fingers.

"I'll raid the convenience store for snacks," Fuyu said. "I can bring shogi or karuta if you guys want, too."

"Fu-chan, you're so old fashioned!"

"That sounds lovely."

"Why does wherever they go sound like it'll be a good time?" Kirishima mused with a bit of regret.

Sero sighed, "Tell me about it. What the heck can these guys offer?"

"I'll bring vitamin supplements!"

"My sparkle!"

"I'll bring my lock-picking kit!"

"I have a shogi and go board I can bring."

"Darkness."

"Hey, hey, wait a minute!" Hagakure said cheerfully. "Since there's so much stuff we all need to buy and we have a day off tomorrow… How about we all go shopping together at the mall!"

"Oh! That's a great idea!" Kaminari exclaimed, excitement crackling off him and Ochako nodded enthusiastically. "Won't this be the first time we've all hung out together as a class?"

Fuyu blinked. A huge trip to the mall with twenty-one people? Isn't that kinda overkill… Fuyu smoothed out her skirt, eyeing the people around her as the broke out into excited chatter. Well...

"Bakugou! You're coming too, right?"

"Like I'd do something so irritating."

"Will you be coming too, Todoroki?" Midoriya inquired.

Todoroki slid his bag over his shoulder, thoughtful for a second before he answered, "I visit my mother on my days off."

"Can't you guys read the mood!" Mineta wailed. "If we're lacking the two best looking guys in class…"

"It'll be less troublesome," Fuyu corrected.

Tokoyami and Shouji turned to her.

Fuyu played with the booklet in her lap for a moment before realizing eyes were on her. She looked up, shooting them both looks. "What?"

"Will you be partaking in this outing as well?" Tokoyami questioned. Shouji nodded.

Fuyu halted. Her fingers stopped on the booklet.

Reasonably, there wasn't a reason for her to go. She should be sorting through the old boxes and asking Naomi if they had anything that could pass for the items she would need without buying anything. Maybe I can borrow some of Toshi's stuff too… She was taking Yagi to the hospital tomorrow for his regular check-up since he was being such an ass about going lately. But her next shift was a few days after so she was technically free after morning…

I barely even have a lot of money to shop. Fuyu reasoned, lips parting to deal her reply. I've only been to the mall a few times… With Zawa, Gram and Gramps and then once or twice with Toshi… It's not like this one is super different, right? There isn't…

"Shopping together with everyone, this is so exciting!" Hagakure squealed. "Oh my god, we can look for matching jammies and shoes—or cute socks to get with everyone!"

"Which mall will we be going to?" Momo inquired. "The areas my mother and father usually have us going to are in Shinjuku and Roppongi…"

"Somewhere with a thrift store," Ochako said weakly.

"The huge outlet has a really cool food court!" Kirishima added animatedly. "We can grab something to eat halfway through!"

"Kouki?" Fuyu jolted, turning over Tokoyami's shoulder where Midoriya was smiling brightly at her. "Are you coming?"

It was quiet for a moment, in her mind. She could hear them all chatting amiably, loudly. Bakugou shouted at someone to shut up and leave him alone. Mineta garbled something out. But it was clear, cut and crisp without any white noise to block it out.

"I've got something to do in the morning first," Fuyu said quietly. "But yeah, I think I can make it."

Midoriya smiled and Fuyu let herself sit in the rightness of it all.

I'll hold onto this too.

---

"I told you to leave me alone, damn it!"

"Since when did I ever listen to what you had to say?"

"You've gotten awful cheeky, you know. I outta beat some sense into you."

"Let's see if you can still even smack me around after this check up."

"I thought that school was doin' you some good but it seems to me that they're just lackin' in teaching you some manners. If this is how you're talking to Shouta—"

"C'mon, it's Zawa. And I already told you, I'll listen to you after you quit smoking."

"Alright, idiot, my dying breath will be cursing your name—"

Rei Todoroki looked up from the letter in her lap with pleasant surprise. Her regular companion's voice was easy to distinguish, familiar and rough and always a treat to hear when she knew he was around. But the second voice was new, youthful and rough in a way similar to his own, but it had a little lilt to it that reminded her of something soft like her companion's wife when she came to visit and hum him songs during his examinations.

Her graying hair was darker than her grandfather's, as though someone had spilled water and white into black paint. The crown of her head shone a lighter hue, and her eyes were a brilliant, dark shade of red. Like blood. Rei mused idly. She was younger than Fuyumi, perhaps somewhere around Shouto's age?

Her lips were curled into a scowl, one hand in the deep pocket of her bright orange track jacket while the other held a bag of fruits. There was something rough to her look, a bit hardened and testy in a way that reminded her a bit of some unruly animal. I see your grandfather in you.

Rei blinked in realization, her son's words coming back to her.

"Tell me about your classmates. That young man who you went up against during the festival, he's a good friend now, right?"

"Yeah," Shouto thumbed his drink. "Do you… Do you remember that girl I told you about? The one by the riverbank."

"My, have you met her again?"

"...she's a classmate of mine. That friend of yours, she's his granddaughter. She's…" Rei thought about the particular way her son's face had shifted. The idle drag of his finger against his drink and a paternal, fluttering instinct inside of her. "She's difficult."

"Hmm… well, if she's anything like Kouki…"

Yagi snapped something back at her, striding forward to his waiting room as Rei set the letter down at her side and offered the approaching pair a small smile.

"Kouki."

Two heads snapped in unison. The granddaughter blinked, taking in her appearance with round and surprised eyes while Yagi snorted. He dusted off one of the seats and plucked a flower from the vase sitting on the counter, offering it to Rei, "Didn't think I'd run into ya today or I would've brought you something. This will have to do."

Rei laughed, light, soft. Fuyumi always said she had the gentlest laugh, but she hoped to have it sound as deep and full of life as Yagi's did someday soon. His granddaughter looked as though she'd been slapped silly. "Nonsense, you didn't have to bring me a thing."

Yagi smacked his granddaughter's back. She jolted, shooting him a dirty look before awkwardly tucking a stray bang behind her ear and bowing deeply to Rei. "Grams mentioned something about a beautiful lady keeping my dumb Gramps company, thanks for getting him to sit still during his check-ups."

Yagi moved to hit her again and she dodged, keeping her head lowered. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss…"

Rei smiled, "You can just call me Rei." My Shouto speaks very well of you.

She looked up in sharp surprise. "I mean, ah, isn't that a bit—"

"Figures you've only got manners when you feel like it," Yagi huffed. "This brat's social skills are sorely lacking where she needs them the most."

"Whose fault is that?" she muttered. Rei laughed once more. Such a lively pair. It made her chest pang a touch. Natsuo was always the liveliest of them… I want to see them all soon. Like this… "Kouki. Kouki, Fuyu. Sorry for any trouble he's given you. He doesn't mean what he says."

"Well, Fuyu-chan," Rei said softly, eyes bright. "It's nice to properly meet you for once. I've heard plenty about you from Kouki-kun, you know." The words about Shouto hung on her lips, but something told Rei to hold off on that, just for now.

"She's a bit rough to deal with. I think we butt heads, but it's okay."

Yagi grunted. Fuyu looked wary. "He… half of what he says is true."

Rei smiled. "Even the part about you being a hard working student on her way to be a proper young hero?"

"That too."

"She's all talk and action, no thought," Yagi said roughly. "Learn a thing or two from this woman over here, idiot. See all this grace and charm? Be like that."

"I don't know how you got someone like Gram to love you—"

Fuyu dodged another jab from her grandfather. She set the bag of fruits down and quickly offered Rei a rounded peach, "Would you like one? They're fresh from the shop down the street."

Rei took it gratefully, "My, thank you dear."

Fuyu hesitated a moment, her eyes lingering a bit on Rei's before she glanced to the side with a small blush. Fuyu rubbed the back of her neck, taking a seat on the other side of Yagi and Rei offered her a warm smile. "Something you wanted to ask?"

"Sorry," Fuyu blurted. She tugged the collar of her jacket over her mouth, shooting Rei a glance before she turned it forward again. "Didn't mean to stare. You… You have very beautiful eyes, ma'am."

"Rei's fine, Fuyu-chan."

"Like storm clouds," Fuyu said absently. "But yours are nicer. Like clouds just before they rain."

"Grow up to be as beautiful as her, alright?" Yagi grunted. "You'll be lucky if you even get an ounce of Nao's beauty. Kick ass while you're at it too though. No beauty's worth not being able to kick some ass."

Rei laughed, a singing, chanting sound. Fuyu sunk a little lower in her seat, seemingly torn between shouting something at her grandfather and being mindful of the older woman beside her. "He's right you know. I always tell my daughter to be strong. Especially against any man."

Rei rubbed her arm, smiling absently at the floor. "Parents always want you to be more than what we were."

"I dunno about that," Fuyu muttered. Yagi slapped her arm. "I mean, I see that with someone like you, ma'am. But I barely know you and if you can put up and keep this guy at ease," Fuyu nodded to Yagi, "I'm sure you're doing a great job with your kids."

Fuyu rubbed her hand. Rei noticed the mottled scar that ran over her knuckles and something fluttered in her chest. The idea of someone hurting their child…

Rei bowed her head, gripping the edge of the bench.

"And to have a mom like you telling her things like that," Fuyu added absently. "She'll probably grow up to be pretty cool, yeah?"

Yagi smacked the back of her head. "Stop tacking that at the end and slurring your letters! Speak properly!"

"I get it from you, you demonic old man!"

"Fuyu-chan, you're very kind," Rei murmured softly. "Lively too. I think you'd make a wonderful wife one day. Strong-willed woman are always so wonderful."

Fuyu choked on her own spit. Yagi looked horrified by the very thought. "I-I think someone more...gentle like you would be a better fit, ma'am. I'm…"

Fuyu tugged at her jacket. "I've got a lot to catch up on to be a proper person first."

"At least you know it."

"You know, I've got something to do today. I can't spend all day listening to this crap, Gramps."

"You're the one that decided to come, idiot!"

Rei smiled happily, setting the peach aside and taking the bag from Fuyu's arm. "I have a small kitchen in my room. I'll ask one of the nurses for a knife and how about I cut us some snacks?"

"Oh, it's alright!" Fuyu said hurriedly, cheeks dusting a light pink. "I-I need to go soon anyway, I don't want to be a bother."

Fuyu's eyes quickly flickered down, as though assessing Rei's body briefly. Her mouth twisted at the corner and Rei wondered if she was imagining her eyes flashing a beautiful shade of bright red—like rubies in the moonlight. "Especially if you should be healing, ma'am. Don't worry about us!"

"I have a son your age who worries about me plenty enough," Rei said amiably. "It's nice to fuss over someone every now and then. My daughter's all grown up and so independent now, I missed fixing someone's hair or picking clothes…"

Fuyu tugged at her jacket. "I think I'm a poor excuse but… if you're here next time I bring Gramps, we can do more then. I'll bring something from the cafe I work at!"

Yagi peacefully began to skim through the book he'd brought along with him, chewing on a dried plum. Rei smiled softly as Fuyu began to awkwardly explain and offer some things about herself, motioning to her choppy hair and apologizing for her sluggish appearance. She mentioned being able to help out if she was feeling fatigued or tired and Rei couldn't help the bit of warmth in her chest.

"You know… You speak very fondly of her Shouto. Bring her in some time with your friends… I'd love to meet them."

"She says she doesn't like loud people but she can be a bit rough and loud herself," Shouto rubbed the back of his neck before he nodded a bit. "But if I asked… I'm sure she'd like to meet you a lot too."

Rei pat Fuyu's hand softly. Fuyu looked up in startled surprise, eyes wide and curious.

"She's like that."

"Fuyu-chan, please continue to be patient and kind with him, please."

"I'm used to livin' with him don't worry."

---

"We're having a special on customized shirts today!"

Fuyu squinted at the sales representative.

"How much?"

Fuyu had made it to the mall as promised.

But a series of events, whether fortunate or unfortunate—it was a debate she didn't have the brain power to try to solve, she was holding out for the food court—occured up until this very moment.

Awkward, a bit unsettled and testy with the curious looks she'd been getting when she arrived and a handful of people congratulating her on the sports festival. Fuyu doubted anything awful was in her luck today, she met Rei, pleasant and wonderful after all. But the events from before had her on edge with the mention of her name and the fact that these people knew her from television. It's weird.

Fuyu had a small backpack slung over her shoulders, carrying her thin wallet and her supplements and an apple. Her outfit from this morning in place with her orange high tops and Todoroki's hair tie. She'd met up with her classmates, exchanged loud and teasing greetings, had started to settle a bit into the swing of things because it's just the mall, Fuyu, calm down.

And then everyone had started to split up, a thousand suggestions all at once and this was the first time at the Kiyoshi Shopping Ward for her so Fuyu didn't know where the hell she was going. Momo and Jirou said they were off to look for duffle bags, but Fuyu didn't need one. Hagakure, Iida, Kaminari, Kirishima and Ashido were looking for shoes. Fuyu had intended to stick with Midoriya and Ochako, since it seemed the safest and most reassuring place to be, but that plan failed when she turned around and both of them had disappeared.

Fuyu had balked, face carefully neutral while her mind tried to sort out what she was supposed to do in a social situation like this—normally going with Toshi just meant Toshi so she didn't have this problem.

She'd thought for a second that she might as well just go about on her own then, since it wasn't a crime. But one arm had suddenly slipped through hers and Fuyu had blinked in surprise at the shining presence beside her.

Fuyu was not without some luck to her name.

"It comes in a set of three!" The sales representative said eagerly. Her dog ears twitched atop her head. "Buy three, get them all half off! You only pay the price for one and a half!"

Tokoyami rubbed the lower half of his beak. "That seems… reasonable."

Aoyama beamed beside her. "Are they dazzling?"

The sales representative smiled. "If… you'd like them to be?"

Fuyu had found Tokoyami eyeing an edgy store with dark decor and sword keychains on display. She'd offered to go in with him, but he'd quickly declined and suggested hurriedly they go somewhere they needed to go. Aoyama had been the one—linked to her arm—to suggest they all go shopping together.

"When did you even get here?" Fuyu had said. "You weren't with everyone."

"I've always been there, mon cheri!"

"One with the shadows," Tokoyami had said thoughtfully.

And thus—

All I really need is some new clothes. Fuyu considered her list. Grams chewed me out for thinking of bringing all the stuff with holes and she said she was going to throw them out… But I can just fix it… argh, this is hard. Fuyu rubbed the back of her neck. A new t-shirt should be fine then, shouldn't it? It was fairly cheap too.

"I think it's a great idea!" Aoyama declared suddenly. She and Tokoyami turned to look at him. "Let's do it! It will be oui magnifique!"

"Get matching shirts?" Fuyu said, a bit lost at the idea herself. Tokoyami seemed to be in deep thought while Aoyama continued to beam and the salesperson twiddled her fingers nervously.

"I mean," Fuyu shrugged, stepping into the store. "Why not, I guess?"

Aoyama's brightness seemed to increase tenfold. Tokoyami followed into the store, his hands in his pockets. "A testament to our bonds."

Sleek cases of differently patterned shirts were set out on display. Brightly colored designs, wild faces and sleek, simple looks. Fuyu had a suspicion this shop was nicer than it let on, and she flipped a tag over with a grimace. A customization stand was pressed to the corner. Color swatches and different designs put out for people who didn't know where to begin along with a designing tablet in case they had one in mind. Fuyu eyed the vast array of shirts as Aoyama and Tokoyami headed toward the table.

Sweatshirt. Fuyu stared at the simple shirt, the emblazoned characters written across. But it's...not? Where have I seen something like this before…

Fuyu grabbed the shirt anyway. Taking an actual white sweater with gold and blue strings beneath the hood. I wonder if I can send him one too… would he wear it? She hesitated by a long sleeve crewneck with Aizawa's goggles as a small logo in the corner of the chest. Eraserhead merch is so hard to find sometimes…

Fuyu grimaced, grabbing it with shaking fingers. This is why I don't go shopping… I just got my paycheck, so it should be okay?

"Here! This is the one!" Aoyama shoved a shirt beneath her nose and Fuyu inhaled an entire bottle's worth of glitter. Fuyu sneezed, rubbing her nose and staring at Aoyama with wide eyes while he brandished the shirt before them. "Isn't it...perfect? It blinds and twinkles, just like us!"

Tokoyami felt the fabric. Glancing to the heavy glitter that remained on his fingers. "...it would clash with my usual wardrobe."

Aoyama's shirt of choice had been a bright, hot pink thing bathed in glitter and sparkles sewn in. Fuyu stared at the monstrosity for a moment, wondering if anyone would ever actually buy the damn thing because—what the hell? Aoyama continued to beam, holding the shirt up for them.

Fuyu slapped the shirt.

They watched as glitter fell into a pile onto the floor.

"I'm allergic to—" Fuyu eyed the glitter. "This brand of glitter."

Aoyama looked astounded. Tokoyami shot her a disbelieving look, but, undeterred, their classmate ran of to go choose a new shirt for them to wear. Fuyu barely had a chance to reach for the nearest rack and see what they had before Aoyama tossed two shirts their way, Tokoyami catching his effortlessly while Fuyu scrambled before flapping it out.

"Is… is that cheese?" Fuyu questioned slowly. Different wheels of cartooned cheese smiled back at them. Aoyama nodded eagerly.

"Does it come in black?" Tokoyami questioned curiously. Fuyu gaped at him in disbelief and Aoyama threw his head back with a flourish.

"Of course not, monsieur! Cheese cannot go on a black canvas! It must shine!"

"Okay," Fuyu said slowly. "I think we've all got some pretty wild tastes, so how about we do something like—" Fuyu broke off, her eyes going round.

Tokoyami and Aoyama watched as she jerked a hanger free and beamed at them, eyes shining and mouth curved into a wide smile like a child who'd just received their first award. Tokoyami raised a brow and Aoyama clasped his fingers together as Fuyu proudly held up the shirt in her grip. "This—this is the one. We have to get this one."

The brightly colored shirts varied, coming in a select choice of colors. A happy, grinning tea cup mascot was printed cheaply onto the front with its tongue sticking out and a wink directed their way.

Tokoyami eyed the color list, "It doesn't come in black."

Aoyama clapped his hand together. "It lacks sparkle!"

Fuyu scooped a handful of glitter from the floor and tossed it onto the shirt.

Aoyama clapped his hands together once more, "It doesn't compliment my figure!"

Fuyu groaned, sadly eyeing the shirt before she tucked it back into the rack with a fond pat. Aoyama quickly went to search for another item and Tokoyami pulled out a ripped black shirt with a chain across the sleeves. Dark Shadow peeked out from beneath his jacket and nudged it back.

"There's way too many shirts to go through in here," Fuyu grunted. "God knows what else we'd find. We should just design one that fits us or somethin'."

Aoyama crowded ridiculously close and Fuyu mindfully nudged his face aside. Tokoyami turned the designing tablet on. "Our names, perhaps?"

"More pizzazz!" Aoyama declared. "Names are not enough!"

"Kouki, Tokoyami, Aoyama…" Fuyu mumbled, rubbing her hand in thought. "Somethin' we all got in common… you guys like picked side dishes?"

Aoyama shook his head with fervor. "Cheese?"

Tokoyami motioned to a dark raven emblem and a skull. "Something that represents our inner soul?"

Fuyu's mouth twisted into an odd grimace. She narrowed her eyes at the screen, racking her brain for something she, Tokoyami and Aoyama had to have in common. They all seemed… to get along fairly well. What about them that could…

Fuyu patted her shoulder, blinking.

"Capes."

Tokoyami turned to her, already placing a dark raven onto the blank shirt design. Aoyama was waiting over his shoulder to add stars and sparkles.

"We've all got capes," Fuyu clarified. "For our costumes, yeah? Why don't we do something with that."

She snapped her fingers in memory, "The cape crew! Cape club? That works, right?"

"Mine is more of a cloak," Tokoyami clarified. "But yes, I do believe we can work with such an idea."

Aoyama beamed, "We can design each shirt but have it say the same thing! It will be perfect, non? I call adding sparkles to mine! Ah, of course, you may all add them as well—"

"I'll go with this," Tokoyami saved the design of a black shirt with Cape Club scrawled out onto it. A dark raven with a white x was printed on the front with the lower back brandishing Revelry in the Dark.

Aoyama quickly set to work on his, Fuyu and Tokoyami watching over his shoulder as he dragged one icon for a diamond sparkle onto his pastel purple shirt and then copied it repeatedly, scattering it across the shirt with Cape Club in cursive font. He handed Fuyu the stylus.

Fuyu stared at the screen for a moment, holding the stylus loosely in her hand. Tokoyami and Aoyama waited.

Fuyu drew a small, angry face onto the white shirt and wrote Cape Club beneath it.

She turned to them.

"That works, yeah?"

Tokoyami changed the font color to black. Aoyama, smiling the entire time, dragged a heart icon onto the shirt and put the angry face Fuyu had drawn over it, making it an angry heart.

Fuyu stared at the shirt for a heartbeat longer before changing the color of the pink heart to red.

---

'S why I hate shopping. Fuyu chomped down onto the leftover crepe hanging between her lips. Her hands alternated between awkwardly trying to shuffle the bags into one arm so she could hold onto her food without having it dangle from her lips precariously. You always end up buying more shit than you realize.

They'd made their purchases in the shirt shop, stopping by several other stores either by Tokoyami and Aoyama's insistence. They'd spent a particularly long time in a hair accessory boutique—Fuyu had found out to her amusement that she could use a scrunchie to tie back Tokoyami's feathers and give Aoyama a top ponytail and they'd both bought one at her nudging. She snagged a pack to give to the girls back at Masegaki and found a band of All Might hair ties with a little emblem on it that she wasn't quite sure what she was going to do with yet.

Aoyama and Tokoyami were waiting for her by the food court, but Fuyu had wanted to find Midoriya first to show him her recent discoveries. Her friend's reactions to anything and everything All Might were always fun and satisfying in some weird way, so she knew he'd appreciate the collab All Might's merch did with her favorite tea mascot—

"A lovely young lady like you needs some flowers, don't you think?"

Fuyu stopped, chomping harder to keep the crepe from falling. She turned, an older shopkeep beaming at her as he flourished his newly watered cart of freshly cut flowers on sale. "Or perhaps you can bring your young charmer over and he'll treat you right, no?"

Fuyu sighed through her nose. Always a sucker for flowers. Her eyes lingered a bit fondly on the full, bursting buds. He takes care of them. His Quirk maybe? Fuyu reached with one hand to take the crepe from her mouth so she could answer properly and her eyes landed on a particular bundle.

The peonies were a soft, blushing pink. Bright whites were mixed in, full, petals curving and light just as the flower suggested with the coming of summer breezes and soft, warm winds. Fuyu stared at them for a moment longer than she should've the shopkeeper smiling expectantly.

"I'm sorry—"

"I'll make them your flowers."

Fuyu's voice caught in her throat.

There aren't enough flowers to plant for all of you… For what he did…

Fuyu saw flowers, vivid, arching—bright, deep red. They turned to her and opened up their petals at her bright eyes and smile, curving to her touch and winding up between her fingers. She remembered their smell, crisp and brushing against her cheeks as he laughed over her shoulder and waved his hand and—

"They don't grow this color. But I'll make them for you."

"Miss, are you alright?"

Cold and a little sticky. Fuyu's eyes snapped back up the shopkeeper, his brows now furrowed a bit in worry. The ice cream from the remains of her crepe was beginning to dribble through her fingers and Fuyu quickly brought it to her mouth. "Shit—ah, I'm sorry. I need to go. S-Sorry."

Fuyu bowed her head roughly and turned on her heel. Her fingers clumsily reached for a napkin and she bit her lip, counting slowly in her head and keeping her eyes focused on the task at hand. Remember what Sora told you. Remember what to think.

"Don't approach. Don't panic. Think. Remind yourself of the things that are real around you. Remind yourself of what you can feel, not what you can't or might."

"Remember you are here."

Fuyu's stomach twisted. She tossed the last bit of her crepe into the trash with a bit of regret and rubbed her hand, feeling along the shaped ridges of the scar on her knuckles. You're here. There's nothing there.

You're fine—

"KOUKI."

Fuyu's head snapped up in surprise, fingers squeezing her hand tight on reflex. Midoriya's voice, piercing, out of breath and panicked filtered through her ears and it took her a second to find him in the midst of the crowd of people before her.

His face was pale, sweat dribbling down the sides of his face. Midoriya's eyes shone with something fierce and fearful. Fuyu felt her body still, his eyes desperate and growing panicked as he clutched his throat and beside him Ochako stood, her eyes round with fear and uncertainty as her fingers trembled over her phone—why are you two so scared? What's wrong—

"Ah, it's you."

Fuyu didn't feel the bags hanging off her arms. The weight of the All Might Tea Cup keychain felt heavier than it did before in her pocket. Her blood came to life beneath her veins, racing beneath her skin, itching to come out and move and Fuyu eyes flickered a bright red without her realizing it as her gaze remained locked on the floor before her.

She'd heard this voice only once. It was hard to forget, given the circumstances in which he spewed orders and laughed and complained like some child who'd parent had brought home the wrong toy. In the familiar tone, rasped, low, she saw Aizawa, bleeding, crumpled against the ground and in her arms. She remembered the brief, blinding pain that assaulted her eyes and the broken snap of bones. The feeling, low, quiet like the rumbling of thunder that maybe she could be something here at this school—

Fuyu raised her head.

Shigaraki Tomura gazed back down at her.

His eyes were a rough shade of red, bright and dull at the same time. Sharp at edges like a ruby pulled from the ground. His lips were cracked and dry, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his hood while his hair spilled out around his face—

Those hands which—

Fuyu's ring clicked.

Villain. Call for help. Are people in danger? He's here. From all those months ago. What if there are Nomu again? The Hero Killer. What am I supposed to do—

"You help people."

"Don't touch her!" Midoriya shouted, rising to his feet and Ochako's fingers punched into her phone. "Shigaraki—"

"Move another step," Shigaraki said. "And you'll regret it, hero. You drop that phone too."

Fuyu watched his hand begin to slip from his pocket and her ring pierced the skin of her palm. Shigaraki's eyes dropped down to her, watching the blood pool around her palm as she kept her gaze even on him.

"You were an unfair advantage, you know," Shigaraki said with a hint of annoyance. "We don't have a healer on our party. That puts us at a bad end. Healing Quirks are only useful if they're under your thumb."

Fuyu's eyes flickered a bright ring of red.

His hands which destroy and deteriorate anything he touches—if I'm connected to him—

"It's a precious thing."

"If I got rid of you now," Shigaraki mused to himself. "Wouldn't that make things easier?"

Midoriya's labored breathing hit her ears. The blood around Fuyu's palm shifted tighter against her knuckles, slowly coating her hand like a gauntlet.

"You can try," Fuyu said softly. It's different now. This isn't like before.

I won't let that hand touch me.

"But you're not gonna come out of this clean."

Fuyu's blood arched between her fingers, lashing out.

Shigaraki's face twisted into something unreadable. For one quiet, deafening moment, Fuyu saw his hands reaching for her with a speed her blood could barely match. She saw the crimson liquid falling to pieces like ash and her Quirk coming to life before her eyes—

"He says I can't kill you, even if you piss me off. Healing Quirks are rare, after all." Shigaraki lowered his head and Fuyu kept herself wound up tight like a wire. "But you know what, little hero?"

His voice dropped. Shigaraki's lips moved.

Fuyu's blood around her knuckles wavered, dripping to the floor.

"Follow me and I'll get mad," Shigaraki spat, turning over his shoulder to pin Midoriya into place. He fixed him with one last, lingering look before he shoved past Fuyu's shoulder and just like that, without another word—he disappeared into the crowd.

Fuyu waited, counting the seconds in her head in tandem with her heartbeat until the frayed, pale, red string she'd been eyeing reached a distance she could no longer sense. Her blood collapsed from around her hand and pooled onto the floor, dripping down her fingers and staining the tiled ground beneath her.

Midoriya's hand snatched her bloody one into his grip.

Fuyu jolted, blood slick between their fingers but Midoriya paid it no mind. His eyes were wide, traveling over every inch of her face as his grip flexed. I forgot you were so strong. "Kouki, are you alright? I'm sorry he just—"

Fuyu's fingers twitched. A dull ache came to life around her when she grabbed his string. Midoriya stiffened, lips parting and Fuyu squeezed his hand.

"Just lemme stay like this for a second."

Soft hands were suddenly at her shoulder, Ochako's hands grabbing for her as her lips moved and she hurriedly spoke something into her phone. It took a moment for her to gather some help and she quickly moved to people around them, alerting them to grab a nearby hero before she began dialing their classmates' numbers into her phone to bring them back.

Midoriya stood there in front of her, his head bowed. There was something heavy in his chest. She could feel the conflicted feelings traveling with a tremble through their connection, but Fuyu let the emotions ground her to this moment.

You're different now.

---

"It'd look better on a Nomu."

---

The entire shopping ward had been swept clean, every inch of the area and surrounding parts searched thoroughly.

Shigaraki Tomura was nowhere to be found.

Their classmates had hurried over with worried quips and unsettled expressions. Fuyu remembered hands touching her shoulders and wrists, making sure she and Midoriya and Ochako were find throughout the whole ordeal. After a brief discussion and report to the authorities, she and Midoriya had been asked to come to the nearby police station to give them an entire debriefing of the whole situation. Midoriya for his encounter, and Fuyu when she got wind of Detective Tsukauchi requesting her presence.

The blinding white lights of the room flickered above her. Fuyu faintly remembered this ought to serve as some sort of interrogation room, but one of Tsukauchi's subordinates had warmly offered her some tea or anything else she might need to feel more comfortable. Fuyu sat in the metal chair, staring at the blank expanse of table with a small wrapped box of cheese and fruits in her lap from Aoyama before they'd escorted them away.

Fuyu'd been to a police station twice before. This was her third.

Given one of them was because of trouble I caused. Fuyu rocked back in the chair and stared idly at the ceiling. This time, it's just protocol.

Fuyu played with the wrapping to the food. Her bags sat in one corner of the room. Wonder if Midoriya's alright.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kouki-san," the door clicked open and Fuyu tipped her head back over the chair, hair spilling out from her ponytail. Tsukauchi smiled softly back at her, several folders in his arm. "We just finished speaking with Midoriya-san. I know it's late, but we've already called your grandparents and they should be here soon. I just wanted a few words from you about what happened, if that's alright."

"'s fine," Fuyu said. Tsukauchi came over and took a seat in front of her. She shoved her hands into her pockets. "Stuff like this needs these kinds of things."

Tsukauchi smiled, "I'd hoped to see you again on better circumstances though. How are you feeling?"

Fuyu patted her chest, just above her heart. "Not dead or a pile of ashes on the floor at least."

Tsukauchi clicked his pen. "We got your statements earlier about what Shigaraki Tomura said to you, though brief. Do you feel as though there's anything else we should know?"

Fuyu ran her fingers over each other out of habit. She stared at the desk before she spoke, "Those… The Nomu, you said before that they're people, aren't they? All fucked up and messed with but…"

Fuyu gripped her hand, "People, right?"

Tsukauchi set his clipboard down, meeting her eyes above the table. "Messed with in layman's terms, I would say that they've had their DNA altered with so that they can withstand the burden of having multiple Quirks nowhere near each other in genetics. But without a doubt, they were in fact, human."

"If they have the means to make things like that," Fuyu said carefully, slowly, keeping her heart at an even rate, "there's always plenty of people out there to use. Homeless people. Muggers."

Fuyu gripped her hand. "Kids… always had the best results though. If their process is anything like what he used to play with, the younger the better."

Tsukauchi's face was even and calm. His pen moved to take in her notes, but his eyes held no hint of anything but an openness Fuyu didn't want to appreciate but did. "The place was burned to the ground in the raid, and there was only the handful of us you guys got out and some of them from the basement."

Tsukauchi paused, "...those children—"

"Didn't make it," Fuyu said quietly. "… I know, Gramps told me when I asked before. It's been so long now since and I'm sure you guys," Fuyu gestured to the entire room and Tsukauchi, "have been workin' hard to close up loose ends but…"

Fuyu shrugged. "He kept that business going since before I was born. There's lots of merch still out there, somewhere. Those he didn't want anymore because of whatever reason were eliminated in select locations, but those who were sold, the ones in the basement at least… I dunno if any of this helps now but," Fuyu released her hand from her grip. She offered Tsukauchi a small smile. "They can't survive without a lot of help."

Tsukauchi met her eyes carefully. Fuyu exhaled through her nose.

"So look for somethin' big, yeah?"

"...this has all be a massive help, thank you, Kouki-san." Tsukauchi stood and offered his hand across the table. Fuyu took it and he smiled. "I know speaking of these things can't be easy for you, but I hope if anything comes up in the future—"

"I'll do what I can," Fuyu said. "Might not be much though."

"It'll be plenty," Tsukauchi reassured her. "Everything counts, in moments like these."

There was a pause and Tsukauchi released her hand, holding onto his files. "I won't keep you any longer. Thank you again for everything, Kouki-san—"

"These guys," Fuyu said quickly. Tsukauchi waited patiently. "The… League of Villains, they don't… Do they have anything to do with, with y'know, them?"

"...from what we are aware of, the people they seem to be getting for their Nomu are either willing petty thugs from their group or abducted convicts on the run," Tsukauchi said slowly. "Considering the state of the Sakura faction which was disbanded and majority of members either arrested or lost, I would say no, in regards to that man, there isn't much from his legacy left. Quirk Trafficking is still a problem, but less so in recent years…"

"You're sayin' people who might've been there could be working with them," Fuyu said. She nodded. "Okay. I gotcha. There's no real way to know right now anyway. Thanks, Detective—"

"You can just call me Tsukauchi," he offered with a small smile. "And though today's events might disagree with me, Kouki-san, I promise that while you remain at Yuuei and continue to work hard, you can leave those matters to us."

To the heroes who are here to protect you.

Fuyu bowed her head.

"Thanks, Tsuka."

"Tsuka?"

"'S a habit, my bad. Please don't tell my grandfather."

---

"This is the life you live now."

---

"The nerve of some people these days," Naomi huffed beside her. A light shawl was thrown over her shoulders and Yagi was on her other side, the two of the squeezing Fuyu in between them. "Threatening upstanding students at a mall of all places, really! I ought to have a word with those upstarts myself. Thugs these days have no class compared to the yakuza of my time, you know. Those folks had fear on their fingertips with words alone, not just flashy powers. They think scary a bunch of good children—"

"Ain't no one to hear ya preach," Yagi adjusted Fuyu's bags on his arms. "The hell you buy so much stuff anyway, fool? You thinkin' of dollin' up this late in the game?"

"Why, she's not late at all. I'll help you, Fuyu. Is there a date or something?" Naomi asked eagerly, turning to Fuyu with bright eyes as the three walked home from the station.

A summer breeze rolled by. Flowers from overhanging branches bowed at the pull. Petals scattered loosely on the ground and the air hinted warmth.

"Nothin' like that," Fuyu said flatly. "No time. I think I can make a nice killing off this whole hero thing, so maybe I can scratch marrying rich, yeah?"

Naomi sighed longingly, "I want great grandchildren, dear."

Fuyu snorted the same time Yagi did. "You want more fools running around on this earth? We'll fall apart."

"With the right man, I'd like to think otherwise," Naomi huffed. "Come now, Fuyu, plenty heroes have paramours on the side of duty. Some even work together, power couples!"

Fuyu grimaced, thinking of bright red wings and scathing remarks and a painful wooden staff.

"Yeah, seems like a lot of work though."

"Should stop by that stand in the plaza," Yagi said suddenly. "They always made a mean bowl of spicy ramen. I like the ginger there."

"Ramen seems a bit warm for the weather," Naomi mused. "But I've never been one to say no to food, how do you feel about that, Fuyu? Shall we all go out to eat tonight?"

Naomi linked her arm through Fuyu's. Yagi pressed tight to her side on her left. Fuyu stood between them, standing maybe even just a little bit taller than her grandparents now if not the same height at least.

Her talk with Tsukauchi had reminded her that she got the better end of things.

"How fortunate we were able to save her."

"It's a real miracle."

"Of all the children, his was one of the ones that survived…"

Petals brushed against her feet. Naomi hummed beside her, waiting patiently for her answer while Yagi played with something in his pocket. He lacked the familiar tang of cigarette smoke today.

"Gram… Gramps… can we," Fuyu stopped, staring hard at the tips of her shoes. The two precious people on either side of her waited, warmth pressing through her and filling every available inch.

"Can we go back… to that place?"

---

"Thank you for loving me."

---

Under construction for future projects. Do not enter.

The bouquet in her arms was light, despite the weight of their memory.

The estate had been massive in reality. It'd always seemed so small and confined from Fuyu's memory, but it made sense considering what little she really saw of it. The entire neighborhood was littered with massive homes and plots of land, so having a huge home never stood out to the other families minding their own business.

Or were you all paid off not to say anything? Fuyu stepped around the erected sign and stepped onto the hard concrete. Never knowing what went on behind these walls…

Those walls had been torn down. Deep scorch marks still stained the area and surrounding buildings still standing from the night it all went down. Fuyu stood there, not daring to take another step further into the decimated remains of her former prison. Her eyes skimmed the heavy slabs of concrete, the stray pieces of wood and propped up cement blocks. No one's built anything here yet.

A breeze tickled her hair. Fuyu crouched down beside the entrance and laid the bouquet against the wall. She fluffed the flowers out, rearranging the pink carnations so they stood proud in their wrappings.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," Fuyu said quietly. "I think part of me didn't want to and every part of me knew I needed too. Sorry. I'm real sorry."

She wrapped her arms around her knees. "I'm in a real good place right now, you know. The others are too, apparently. I eat real well. Kinda plump these days so I need to shave off a bit. I'll just work harder though. Finals were a bitch. I've met some amazing people. I think you'd like some of them."

Fuyu's mind offered her the traitorous, wrenching sight of soft brown hair like newly turned earth and forest green eyes. They always seemed to shift with the green around him, so maybe he'd match the dark green of their uniforms. It'd compliment him nicely.

"I'm not there yet," Fuyu said softly. "I'm still real behind. Can't kick ass like the others do but… But I'm going to work hard, okay?"

Fuyu scattered the seeds in her pocket against the huge plots of dirt around her. She turned them over, plunging her fingers into the ground and patting them softly. Yagi said it would rain tonight.

"For all of you."

---

"Hi...is, um, Midoriya home?"

The woman before her gaped.

Fuyu stood just a few inches taller than her. Dark green hair pulled back into a modest bun and clipped behind her head. She was a soft woman with seemingly quiet eyes, but they had a glitter to them. She looks like a mom. Fuyu gripped the bag of goods at her side a little tighter. If she raised someone like Midoriya… yeah, I'm sure she's a great mom.

Fuyu rubbed the back of her neck furiously before she bowed her head, "I, uh, I mean, Izuku Midoriya, sorry, maybe this is the wrong house—"

"A girl!" she squeaked. Fuyu blinked behind her bangs. "I-I mean, hello! I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Yikes. Yikes. Just drop it off and go. "Ah, my bad. I might be catching you at a bad time. I just wanted to leave this—"

"N-N-No!" she quickly babbled. "Oh, goodness. You, you have the right house. You asked that earlier too, oh. I'm Izuku's mother. I'm sorry, you're one of his classmates! Oh! The girl from the sports festival with the blood—"

She slapped a hand over her mouth. Fuyu offered her a crooked smile. "Yeah, that's me. I just—"

"How rude of me!" she exclaimed, opening the door and ushering her in. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. Um, here! Come inside, please. You see, Izuku doesn't bring too many friends home and it's been ages since Katsuki came over—Izuku! Izuku!"

"I just wanted to drop—" Fuyu stopped, standing blankly at the door as Midoriya's mother disappeared deeper into the house with a flustered run, shrilling her son's name. "...these off…"

Fuyu stood in the doorway to Midoriya's home.

She had just wanted to check up and see if he was fine in light of recent events. Fuyu had vaguely asked for his address with the supposed intention of mailing him some kind of All Might catalog—she lied—and had brought along with her instead the All Might scrunchie and keychain she'd wanted to give to him the other day. And a few goods from the cafe.

I'm so awkward with shit like this. Fuyu's brows furrowed. I should just leave it in the genkan and go. If she's anything like her son, I don't know what I should do.

Fuyu quickly dropped the bag into the entryway, stepping back so she could make a quick break for it. A door slammed and Fuyu jolted, looking up as Midoriya's mother hurried down the hallway toward her with a nervous smile. Fast walking right behind her with rigid arms and a flushed face, Midoriya raced toward her and Fuyu realized she'd just sealed her own sentence.

"K-K-Kouki! What are you doing here?" Midoriya blurted. "I mean, not that we don't want to have you, um, well, it's just a surprise! I'm not doing anything important right now, is everything alright? What did you need? Was it about—"

"I don't always have to come to ya with bad stuff," Fuyu snorted. Midoriya's cheeks flushed a brighter red and his mother looked hurriedly between the two of them. "Sorry for coming like this, I was in the area and wanted to drop these off." Liar.

Fuyu held out the bag towards them, dipping her head in his mother's direction. "I hope I'm not disturbing, ma'am."

"O-O-Of course not!" she exclaimed. In a lower whisper that Fuyu could still, she hurriedly spoke to her son, "Izuku! I didn't know you were such good friends with this girl… she seems a little rough but she has a sweet face…"

"Mom!" Izuku whispered loudly. Fuyu tried to hide the awkwardness threatening to seep from her pores and shuffled back. "Ah! Kouki, please come in! D-Do you want some tea or something?"

"Oh! Yes! Please, make yourself at home!" she squeaked. "Oh, I haven't even introduced myself yet. I'm Inko, Inko Midoriya. Kouki-chan, was it? You did so well in the sports festival with Izuku! I can't imagine how frightened your mother must have been seeing you fight like that…"

Fuyu let out a soft noise in response. Midoriya flinched at his mother's words, shooting her a quick look and Fuyu merely shrugged his way, slipping her free hand into her pocket. "Can't imagine how it must've been watching Deku over here destroy an entire stadium."

"Honestly!" Inko rushed to a small kitchen counter, pulling things out and gesturing at the same time for Fuyu to take a seat at the table. Midoriya stood awkwardly off to the side, twiddling his fingers in the corner as though he wasn't quite sure of what to do in his own home. "Here, I'll get some tea on the kettle. What did you say you needed to speak with Izuku for?"

Fuyu gently set the bag of sweets down onto the counter. The cafe had started making their sun cakes, thin, fluffy things filled with a creamy filling lined in a hint of mint and glazed golden with honey. "I just wanted to drop these off for you guys. I mean, with what happened recently and your son is always helping me out a lot at school, so…"

"My!" Inko gasped. "How sweet of you. Thank you for being friends with my Izuku. I know he can be a handful sometimes, but please continue to get along with him."

Midoriya looked ready to melt into the floor and Fuyu merely smiled, a bit crooked and soft as she tipped her head. "I hope the same from him."

"Izuku, why don't you keep her company?" Inko quickly suggested. "I'll bring some tea and snacks up to your room in a second! Kouki-chan, please, just feel right at ease here!"

"M-My room?" Midoriya exclaimed. Inko looked startled.

"Where else, dear?"

"'S okay," Fuyu offered. "I just wanted to drop these off anyway and—"

"Nonseense! You came all the way out here. It's the least we can do!"

Fuyu stood awkwardly by the table, uncertain and glancing to the door. Midoriya stumbled for a second before he bit his lip and turned rigidly on his heel, gesturing with a robotic arm for Fuyu to follow. She trailed after her, tucking her hands into her pockets and making herself as small as possible as they walked down his hall toward a room with the name tag Izuku on an All Might shaped design.

Midoriya stopped in front of his door.

"Hey," Fuyu started easily, "we don't gotta go. I can really just leave now. I wasn't plannin' on staying long anyway and—"

"I-I-I-It's just a bit of a mess," Midoriya started loudly. Fuyu blinked, his ears flushed a dark red and peeking down his neck over the collar of his shirt. "I mean, I have a bit of clutter and uh, well, you see, there's a lot of...stuff. And I just…"

Midoriya pushed hesitantly on his door, peeking over his shoulder with a small smile. "M-Make yourself at home!"

The color scheme was easy to guess.

Memorabilia and collectibles covered every available surface. All Might figurines, posters, folders, sheets—any item offered seemed to be shaped after the Number One hero. Fuyu stared in wonder while Midoriya cowered a bit, shuffling to the side so she could enter and quickly grabbing things as he went. He hauled a few weights of the floor with perfect ease and pushed them to the side, shoving things into a pile and arranging some things before he turned to her with his shaky smile. "T-There isn't much to look at but…"

"You…" Fuyu trailed off, stepping with sock clad feet into his room and Midoriya flushed.

"A-All Might, I know. I've just admired him so much since I was a kid and, well, you see—"

"Have a lot of personality."

Midoriya blanched, blinking with wide eyes at nothing for a moment before he rigidly turned to Fuyu. "Eh?"

"I mean," Fuyu gestured with her hands in her pockets to his room, keeping a small space to herself so she wouldn't come into contact with too much. I don't want to make a mess either. It all looks like it has a place. "I've always felt like rooms said a lot about people… I don't have a lot of things in mine and, well, y'know."

Fuyu swallowed up his room with her eyes. "This kinda stuff… it's nice."

You have something you love so much.

"I'm not sure what mine would say about me," Fuyu mused absently.

"...one part." Fuyu turned to Midoriya curiously and he rubbed his arm, looking a bit embarrassed before he repeated once more, "It's just, well, just one part though. Rooms I mean."

Fuyu sighed through her nose, wondering if it'd relieve the light feeling in her chest.

"Hey, your mom's really sweet. She's kinda like the ideal mom, y'know? I can see where you take after her."

"T-T-Thank you very much!"

"You should come over sometime too, I think my grandparents would like you pretty well. Gramps might yell at you though, but don't worry about him."

"I-I don't think there's much to like—Kouki! Everyone's meeting at the pool tomorrow at school, did Kaminari-kun tell you? You should come for the Quirk training we'll be doing."

"Pass. I got work, but I don't think training my Quirk and the pool is a good mix."

"I-If you say it so easily, Mineta-kun and Kaminari-kun will be upset…"

"Midoriya, I wanted to show you this thing I got. Here, look."

Fuyu idly thought, if just a bit, the rest of summer could go something like this, then that'd be just fine.

---

Next Chapter:

A hopeful girl, an angry boy, an unforgotten promise. Moving shadows. Free food.

"It's better than dying without any meaning."

---

Pink carnations mean "my heart aches for you" or "I'll never forget you."

Imma keep this one short so you guys can go on to the next update! Just wanted to say thank you so much for your patience and your massive support. I know this chapter was a lot quieter than others, but I hope the interactions that took place were all still fun to read and nice, hahaha. I really wanted them to have some fun before it all goes to shit, LOL. Also, again, just can't thank you guys enough for all the love you give this story, I'm throwing it at you ten times back.

Comment highlights in the next next update and I'm pretty sure there's a lot of crap I'm forgetting to say and answer but im gonna just post these and dip because I need to study and wanted to get these to you guys once I tidied up because I cut some time for it T-T I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, THANK YOU FOR READING SADSADCFAEDVGFEDA

HOPE YOU ENJOYED!

Marshmellow-

-OUT!