"Hey, Hitoshi…"
It was Tsu.
"I know you need to head back to Aizawa and Mic-sensei but do you have a sec, it's really important?"
Strange, what could she want?
He nodded.
"Sure."
He followed her outside to the grass just beside the steps of the Heights Alliance building.
"I know we haven't talked much and that's on me, but I need to say a few things."
"Okay sure."
"After you and Kacchan were taken, we were all at the hospital talking about rescuing you guys and I… I said that trying to find you would be breaking the rules and that they'd be acting more like villains instead of heroes if they did." She looked down. "My heart was hurting, and the things I said were…"
Tsu was clearly struggling as she willed herself to continue.
"Despite my warning they still went and saved you guys. I didn't know that until this morning. I thought I'd stopped them, but it turns out I was worthless; a complete failure. And suddenly I had no idea what to say. When you first walked over I couldn't even look you in the eye I felt that ashamed. I felt like I'd betrayed you and Bakugou, so I didn't think I deserved to joke around and have fun with everyone like usual. But…"
Her eyes filled with tears as she sniffled, meeting his gaze.
"It made me… so sad to be without you all. Even if I'm still not sure how I'm supposed to be feeling, I needed to know where things stood between us. I know it's selfish but I wanted you to know so we can hang out and talk and have a good time again." Her lip wobbled. "I understand if you don't want anything to do with me, Bakugou too."
Tsu began to cry.
Hitoshi wordlessly closed the gap between them, gently wrapping his arms around her and pulling the frog hero into a soft hug.
"I don't blame you for anything that happened, neither does Kacchan. You were trying to keep all of our friends safe, and there's nothing wrong with that." He began. "You were right when you said we haven't talked much so maybe we could start there. To be honest, I don't know many of the people in our class that well, but you've always been nice to me when we have been together."
Hitoshi pulled back a little and offered her a soft smile, rubbing a hand comfortingly upon and down her arm.
"I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner otherwise I would've come to see how you were doing, that's my bad." He apologised. "Have you talked to the others about how you feel?"
"I wanted to talk to you first."
"Well I'm glad you did because it means I was able to say there's nothing to worry about, you never needed to be forgiven in the first place but you absolutely are."
Hitoshi suddenly remembered something.
"Oh!"
He removed his backpack, placing it down on the ground as he unzipped it and located the Crimson Riot manga. Flipping one of them open he took out what he needed.
"I made this a few weeks ago with my Aunt but I think you need it more, plus it's pretty appropriate."
Hitoshi held out the origami frog constructed from holographic glittery green paper.
Tsu's watery eyes widened before her lip wobbled once again, this time clearly in happiness of the thought put into the impromptu gift.
She took it carefully before smiling.
"Thank you, Hitoshi, I love it."
"I don't want you to be sad anymore, okay, not over me because that's just silly." He smirked, pulling her against him in a squishy side-hug.
Tsu giggled.
"They're just about to start doing stupid room tours so you should probably get back in there."
"But I still need to talk to…"
"That can wait for another day, for now just go have fun, you deserve it."
She smiled.
"Thank you, Hitoshi, you're a good friend."
"So are you, Tsu." He waved. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Hitoshi headed off down the path towards the staff village, waiting for a few seconds to make sure Tsu had gotten inside safe before he made his way home.
