"Hurry up, Yui! We're gonna be late!"

Yui was walking down the front path of her house to meet her best friend, Saya, who always waited at the gate for her so they could walk together to school. They were twelve years old.

Saya had red twintails and was tapping her foot aggressively, hands on her hips. "Did you hear me or what?"

"I heard, I heard!" Yui answered, frantically, and then she gasped, her eyebrows shooting up. "Saya! You're just wearing your uniform?"

"Uhh, yea?"

"It's freezing out! I mean, for goodness sake-" She cut herself off, and gestured to the dirty leftover snowbanks on the side of the road. "Why aren't you wearing a jacket? You'll freeze to death, or at the very least get sick!"

"Does it matter?" Saya asked, annoyed. She flipped one of her twintails over her shoulder.

"Here, let me go back and get one of my jackets for you, at least…" Yui turned to run back into her house really quickly, but Saya grabbed her by the wrist.

"C'mon, there's not enough time."

"But, it'll just take a second…" Yui protested.

"I'll be fine. It's not far. Stop worrying so much, Yui."

"But-"

"Come ON!"

Finally, the two of them began walking to school, though Yui couldn't help but shoot concerned glances Saya's way. Was she shivering? Were her teeth chattering? If she were to get sick, Yui would feel so bad…

"Did you pack your lunch today?" she asked.

"Yes, yes!" Saya shook her backpack, and some rustling could be heard. "It's in there."

Yui leaned over, and unzipped the backpack.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"I'm just making sure…"

"Hey, what?" Saya pushed her hand away. "You callin' me a liar or something?"

"No, it's just…"

"Don't touch my backpack. My lunch is in there."

"Well, alright." Yui was worried about Saya. She seemed…self-destructive, recently. Not wearing a jacket? Not bothering to get enough to eat? She was gonna kill herself at this rate! It worried Yui a LOT.

Plus, Saya had never had an issue with Yui touching her stuff before. They always used to share everything.

"Listen, Yui. I'm gonna split off from you when we reach the corner, 'kay?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I need to use the back gate of the school. We're cutting it too close on time. My homeroom is on that side of the building."

"Ah. Right." Wait, was it? Yui wracked her brain. She had memorized Saya's schedule, of course. Just like Saya had memorized hers. Yes, Saya's homeroom was in Room 142, near the back wing of the building. So she was telling the truth.

They reached the corner a few minutes later. "Goodbye," Saya said.

"Bye! Be careful! I'll see you in second period! Be sure to keep yourself warm, and…"

"Yeah, yeah," Saya waved her off, and was already crossing the street toward the back gate.

Yui lowered her hand. For a moment, something had flashed across her friend's face. She hadn't understood it then, but later she would come to know it as disgust.

Because just a few minutes later, their friendship fell apart permanently.

…

"Kodai? Earth to Kodai?"

Yui blinked. Yosetsu Awase was waving his hand in front of her face. She shook her head a little, and made eye contact with him, staring blankly.

"Break time's started," he said. All around them, Class B was rising in volume. People were moving from their desks to talk to friends. Others were getting snacks out. Vlad King had just stepped out of the classroom.

"Spacing out again, huh?" he smirked.

She shrugged.

Awase wilted. "One day I'll get you to say a word to me."

Maybe. She'd ended up saying a lot of sentences to Izuku Midoriya last night. At least eight or nine. More than she'd meant to.

As Awase moved on, Itsuka and Setsuna both leaned over to look at her. Yui looked back and forth between them. Were they her best friends? Maybe, along with Reiko. But I could always lose them just as fast.

Even after a year of knowing Class B's feisty lizard girl and their capable, skilled president, she was still paranoid, cautious. It could take a year to build a friendship, but it only took a second to break it. She'd learned that the hard way.

"What is it?" Yui asked quietly, careful to not garner the attention of the boys chatting in the circle nearby. It wasn't like she didn't want them to hear her voice at all, it's just that they always made a big deal about it when she talked. Yui didn't really like being the center of attention.

Luckily, Itsuka and Setsuna understood this the way the boys did not. Itsuka smiled easily and asked, "Where did you go last night while we were hanging out with Class A?"

"On the roof," she answered honestly.

Setsuna laughed, while Itsuka seemed appalled. "Yui, you know that's not allowed, right? Especially since it wasn't even our dorm building!"

Yui just shrugged.

"Well, you know I'd never force you to do anything you don't want to do. But you missed out on a lot of fun," Itsuka told her.

Setsuna groaned. "Did she? I mean, I still need to apologize to Midoriya for-"

Yui looked up sharply in alarm, suddenly enough to make Setsuna cut herself off. Both of the other girls gave her pointed glances.

"Something wrong?" Itsuka asked.

"No, I…" She swallowed, fighting everything to keep the color off her cheeks. "I just misheard you. I thought you said something else." A lie. She had reacted to Midoriya's name, and Setsuna knew it, too.

"Aaaanyway," Setsuna continued, though casting a glance toward Yui that read we'll talk about that later, "I have to apologize for upsetting him. Mina said she'd do it in the morning, but obviously I haven't seen him since then."

"What did you even do?" Itsuka asked, annoyed. "I don't know Midoriya all that well, but I can't imagine him getting upset about anything. He's like…like a cinnamon roll."

Yeah, thought Yui, remembering how warm the jacket had felt against her chest. Yeah, he is.

"Oh, we just harassed him about Uraraka a little. That's all."

"For goodness sake," Itsuka scolded. "You really ought to leave well enough alone, Setsuna."

The lizard girl held her hands up. "In my defense, I really did think that he was aware of how much romantic tension he has with her. I thought it'd be fine to joke about a little, especially since it's been going on for almost two years now."

"That does not give you an excuse to butt into situations where you have no business being in-"

"He doesn't like her," Yui blurted.

"Huh?" Both Setsuna and Itsuka whipped around to look at her.

"I mean…" She sniffed nervously. "He doesn't like Uraraka like that. That's why it's never…occurred to him."

Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"...It's a little bit obvious," she nearly whispered, forcing the other two to lean in to hear her.

"Hmm. Do you think he's gay or something? Shit, if that's true, I understand what made him so ma-"

"No, I don't think so." Yui frowned.

Itsuka blinked at her. "This is the most you've ever interrupted us, Yui."

"You know how she is," Setsuna said, stretching and looking away. "Yui's always making observations when you don't know it. She's just making sure we've got our facts straight. Isn't that right?"

Yui gave her a dry look. "You got me all figured out, huh?"

"...Still, I need to apologize. Him being upset like that felt so…wrong. It was one of those moments where I instantly knew I'd screwed up. Like-" She snapped her fingers. "-That."

"I'm sure no one from Class A blames you," Itsuka reassured. "I can talk to Iida and Momo if you want."

"Nah, it's fine. If they do blame me, that's their choice. I'll just win 'em back over by being super nice."

Itsuka said something else after that, but Yui wasn't listening anymore. She was thinking about last night again. He came to the roof because Setsuna drove him off with her teasing. When I asked him if Setsuna sent him, he said no…but she really kind of did, didn't she?

A small little giggle escaped her mouth. Both the others looked at her again.

"You're acting really weird today, you know?" Setsuna told her.

…

Meanwhile, during Class A's break time, Izuku was leaning over his desk and looking through one of his notebooks.

Behind him, Mineta and Kaminari were making noise, preoccupied with each other. Bakugo had gone elsewhere in the room to spend the break, so he faced no threat from the desks in his immediate vicinity. It wasn't like he'd be dead if someone caught him with his notebooks, but it was sort of embarrassing.

Randomly, he felt a pinprick on the top of his head, and saw movement up ahead. He looked up.

Sitting two seats in front of him, and one seat in front of Bakugo's now-empty desk, was Toru Hagakure. He swore he'd just seen her move a little, but it was hard to tell. Currently, her uniform was facing forward, meaning logically, her head was facing that way too. But it was impossible to know.

He found himself squinting, trying to look for any tells about where she was looking. And then, suddenly: "See something you like, Midoriya?"

He started, and flushed red. "You know that I can't," he replied quickly. Does she have eyes in the back of her head or what? He'd gotten better at responding to teases like that in a speedy fashion. Though I still broke down last night.

Hagakure giggled. "Sorry." She stood up and walked over to talk to Ashido.

Izuku draped an arm over the top of his notebook, just to be safe. Had Hagakure really been looking at him? Why would she look at him? Whatever, it didn't matter.

This particular notebook was a new one…well, it wasn't exactly new, but it was not even close to finished. Progress on it was slow, the reason being…this was his analysis notebook on the Class B students.

Even though they trained and hung out together as classes more often than they used to, he still didn't have the strongest idea about any of them. All of their notes were slim compared to the notes he had on Class A, and his drawings of them were all pretty rudimentary, considering he didn't get to see them often and looking at pictures of them felt sleazy. He had the most info on Kendo, Shiozaki, and Honenuki, having seen their Quirks in action the most. Monoma and Tetsutetsu had a decent amount of info, but not as much as the first three, and then everyone else was limited info only.

But today, he found himself flipping to his page for Yui Kodai.

The markings were faded, and he tried to remember the last time he'd edited anything on this page. It had been months at least. His Quirk notes were a mere three sentences, and looking at the picture he'd drawn of her…

...It doesn't do justice to her at all. The eyes are far too dull. The cheeks aren't quite round enough, and I didn't really capture the subtlety of that expression she always has…

He realized Mineta and Kaminari had gotten a bit quiet, and in a moment of self-aware paranoia, he closed the book.

The bell rang a moment later, meaning they had to move from homeroom to their next class. Midoriya packed up quickly and stood up to join Uraraka, Iida, and Todoroki, as well as the rest of the students, in heading out the door.

"Mannn, this day is only a half day and it's already lasting foreverrr," Uraraka complained. "Only two more classes and then we're out of here for winter break."

"I am beginning to think that a Friday night celebration was not such a good idea after all," said Iida. "Even though Saturdays are only half days, we could have had it tonight instead and not worried about school the next morning."

Todoroki shrugged. "It's not like we are going over anything important today anyway."

Ashido suddenly appeared next to them. "Midori!"

"Ah!" Izuku let out a little squeak of surprise, and then turned to look at her. She had a worried expression on her face. "What is it, Ashido-s-san?"

They walked out of the classroom and into the hallway. Next door, Class B was streaming out as well.

Mina folded her hands together in a begging gesture. "I forgot to tell you earlier because I slept in, but…I'm really sorry!" She closed her eyes. "Me and Setsuna took things too far last night during the game, and I'm sorry for upsetting you!"

"Huh?" Izuku looked around nervously, and saw that they were attracting attention in the hallway. Bakugo was watching with an annoyed expression, some of the Class B people were listening in interest, and worst of all, Uraraka was right there. Mina was at least smart enough to explicitly leave out what she and Setsuna had upset him about, but still…

"D-don't worry about it, Ashido. I'm already over it. I forgive you."

She relaxed and exhaled. "You're such a good guy, Midori. It had me up for a while last night because I felt so bad."

"What happened?" Uraraka asked, confused. "I know Deku left the party early, but…"

"Tsk," said Bakugo, loudly. "Who cares? Can we just move on to chemistry now?"

A flash of annoyance went through Izuku's brain. Who does he think he is? I thought we'd gotten past him being such a prick all the time. But, he literally didn't have the energy or even the motivation to draw things out further, so he just said, "Okay, Kacchan, whatever," in a fairly dismissive tone.

"Huh?" Bakugo raised an eyebrow. Oh no. "Damn Deku, get over yourself. I'm just trying to get us out of the way of the hallway."

…

Yui walked through the front gate of the school, heading for homeroom. Thoughts were plaguing her mind.

"Kodai! Hello!"

Nakai and Shizune were both waving at her from just inside the school yard. Around them, people were already heading in, but they were just standing by a bench, both drinking juice out of cans.

Yui hurried over to them. "You two! You're gonna be late if you aren't careful!"

Nakai laughed. He was already tall for twelve, and as laid-back as ever. "Why bother being careful when I have you to cover for me, Kodai?"

"That's true," said Shizune. She adjusted her glasses on her face. "You do seem to suck up all the 'careful' in the school and leave none for the rest of us."

Both of them laughed, and Yui just shook her head in sad frustration. "We've got to go," she told them again. "Homeroom is starting in just a couple of minutes! Hurry up and finish those! Why are you drinking cold juice out here anyway? You're gonna get chills in your chest!"

Shizune blinked. "Is that a thing?"

"Kodai says it is, so I'm inclined to believe her." Nakai threw his can into the nearby trash. "Let's go, then. No use changing her mind now."

They began to walk toward the school building. Nakai stretched his arms behind his shoulders. "Not looking forward to science today," he said with a yawn. "I didn't do the homework."

"What?!" Yui exclaimed in alarm. "Did you fall asleep too early? Or, did you perhaps not understand the material? Nakai, if you're struggling in science, I can help you…"

He laughed over her words. "I didn't fall asleep at all, as a matter of fact. I was up late playing Forge."

"Those games are bad for you," she scolded. "Seriously, sometimes I wonder if everyone here has a self-destructive streak except me. Just this morning Saya was trying to walk to school without her jacket."

"That Saya?" Shizune asked, pointing.

Yui turned her head to follow the finger. Saya was walking along the schoolyard with a group of their senpais, talking and laughing with them.

Yui blinked. She could not understand. Saya had gone in the back gate to get to her homeroom, right? What was happening? Why was she here? And why was she talking with them?

And…why did she look so happy?

"SAYA!" Yui yelled across the yard without thinking. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Panicked, confused, she began to run toward her best friend.

"Oh, no," she heard Nakai mutter behind her.

Saya turned, and an expression of complete fright and embarrassment crossed her face as she saw Yui running toward her. The senpais turned too, and some of them were laughing and pointing.

Saya took a step backward, as if meaning to start running away, and then tripped and fell. Yui slid to a sudden, alarmed stop.

The older kids saw Saya fall, and they laughed even harder. They began to walk off. Yui could overhear one say, "We'll leave you to your girlfriend, then!"

Saya was laid out on the concrete path of the schoolyard, trying to sit up. Her face was a dark red. Her eyes glistened with tears.

Yui took the last few steps toward her. "Saya! Are you alright? Did you twist your ankle? Did you-" She reached out to help her friend up.

"NO!" Saya shouted, and slapped Yui's hand away. "STOP IT!"

"Stop…stop what?" Yui squeaked, confused and frightened.

"...IT!" Saya repeated, even louder, hysterical. "JUST...EVERYTHING YOU DO! EVERYTHING YOU SAY TO ME! STOP IT! I HATE YOU! JUST GO AWAY!"

She got to her feet, everyone in the school yard watching. And ran toward the building, tears streaming out behind her.

Yui remained planted in place, shocked into silence. She did not say a word.

And none of them at that school ever heard her say one again.

…

Class B was leaving their classroom now, as the bell rang for next period. Yui followed Itsuka and Setsuna out. Next door, Class A was leaving as well.

Yui lifted her head. The flow of people had stopped, and it seemed like some congestion was taking place in the hallway in front of them. She peered around Setsuna's back to get a closer look.

It was Mina Ashido, saying something to Izuku Midoriya.

"-too far last night during the game, and I'm sorry for upsetting you!"

"Huh?" Midoriya answered. Yui watched him closely. Several things flashed across his face. Several negative things. She could tell. But then…he returned to a weak, sheepish smile. "D-don't worry about it, Ashido. I'm already over it. I forgive you."

Class A had all stopped to watch this unfold, meaning Class B could not get through. Tetsutetsu and Monoma were both trying to push forward, and it looked like Itsuka was about to say something, but the conversation was still continuing.

"...cares? Can we just move on to chemistry now?" That was Bakugo talking. Yui had never really formed an opinion on the boy, even though most of Class B found him really annoying. He was certainly less annoying than he used to be, though that thing he'd just said was more like the old Bakugo.

"Okay Kacchan, whatever," Midoriya responded, and Yui's mouth twitched. That's right. They knew each other as children.

"Huh? Damn Deku, get over yourself. I'm just trying to get us out of the way of the hallway."

A convenient excuse to be rude, Yui thought, but she knew Itsuka was seconds away from agreeing.

"Can you guys move on?" the orange-haired girl said loudly. "We've got a class to get, too." There it was.

The crowd scattered, and Bakugo stormed off, leaving Midoriya standing there. His face had fallen for a moment, but when he saw the Class B students approaching, he quickly brought that nervous smile back to his face, and began to walk off, following his class.

"Hey, Midoriya! Wait up!" Setsuna said. Yui frowned. He's hiding something. She shouldn't talk to him now.

"Oh, h-hello, Tokage," he said, letting her catch up to him. Yui and Itsuka followed at a bit of a distance.

"Hey, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, too." She looked pointedly ahead, where Uraraka and Iida were pretty far away now, out of earshot. "If I'd known that you didn't like Uraraka, then I wouldn't have taken things so far."

For a moment, Yui felt panicked. Setsuna trusts me far too much! I only suspect he might not like Uraraka, and I'm not one hundred percent sure…

Then, Midoriya said, "That's okay, Tokage," and Yui relaxed. Wait, why am I so relieved by this? She was confused by her own brain.

"To be honest, I'm sorry too. I hope I didn't make things too awkward by leaving…"

"Nah, you're fine." Setsuna clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm glad there's no hard feelings. Mina was right. You're a really nice and thoughtful guy."

"H-hehe, thanks…"

Yui realized she was frowning again. What's gotten into me?

"Are you sure you're okay?" Itsuka asked the boy. "If you need me to say anything to someone else in my class…"

Midoriya actually laughed at that. "That won't be necessary, Kendo-san. I have nothing against Class B. In fact, after I left the party…" He met eyes with Yui, and suddenly closed his mouth. "Nothing. Never mind."

Yui's eyes widened. In a split second, he'd become aware that she didn't want Setsuna or Itsuka to know about their time on the roof. A thoughtful boy indeed.

Setsuna and Itsuka walked on ahead, leaving Midoriya and Yui to walk next to each other for a moment.

"Did you get enough sleep?" he asked her in a low voice.

She was trying to fight her lips lifting up into a smile. "I did. Thank you for asking."

She looked up toward her two friends to ensure they hadn't noticed them, and ended up seeing Bakugo, leading the pack of students toward the stairs. She frowned.

"What's his deal?" she asked, nodding forward.

"Uhh…oh. Umm…" Midoriya's sheepish smile faltered for a moment. I nearly broke his mask. Perhaps I shouldn't have. "We have history. He used to hate me a lot, but it's been better recently. He can still be abrasive sometimes though."

"Why did he hate you?"

"Y-you're awfully straightforward, huh. Well, I used to think it was because I hadn't manifested my Quirk, but…later I found out it was because he thought I thought I was better than him. Because one time he fell into a river, and I tried to help him up."

Yui froze. "You tried…to help him up?"

"Uhh, yeah. Is that hard to believe or something? It's t-true, I swear…"

"I believe you," she told him, softly. Yes, she believed him. She knew it was true because the exact same thing had happened to her.

Yui Kodai did not know it, but her heart had started racing faster around him.

…

Sorry if this is a mess but I don't really have a plan. All I know is that these two are cute together.