Rui had settled into her new schedule with a lot more ease than she thought she would. Recovery Girl kept her busy, but made sure that she wasn't overworked as well. Rui did also still have homework that she needed to be doing in her free time- her mother, Isane, wanting to make sure that she kept up with her studies while away from home- so she was grateful to have some down time between training sessions.

With final exams getting closer and closer, the training sessions would become much more intense. The students wouldn't find out what their final exam would entail and neither would Rui, but Recovery Girl wanted to make extra sure that Rui would be as prepared as she could be to jump right into action. After all, the students would be facing off against their teachers as they played the villains and they would not be holding back. And by the end of her first day, Rui was beginning to realize that she wouldn't have much time to herself between her work study and her homework. She was worn out, but she was grateful that she had such a fantastic start to her work study.

As Rui left the infirmary and started making her way out of the school at the end of her shift, she thought back on the events of the day.

For years, she had wanted to go back to public school- or at least a private school like U.A.- but her mother had basically freaked out and shut down when her father had died. She was home schooled until she reached the point in her education that she needed to do a work study, which was about the time that Shota stepped in and convinced Isane to let Rui come to U.A. for her work study with the promise that he would keep an eye on her and make sure she stayed safe. Isane eventually relented and agreed, even going so far as to rent a small apartment close to Shota's residence where she could stay for the duration of her work study.

Because of her home schooling, Rui was more or less shut away from the word- especially the hero aspect of it. Since her father had died while fighting a villain, Isane wanted nothing to do with the hero business. With that restriction, Rui missed out on all of the big news reports and event broadcasts. She had no idea that Katsuki or Izuku had passed the entrance exams and made it into U.A. She was so surprised to see them both and she couldn't help but be thrilled for their success- especially Izuku since he hadn't had a quirk for the longest time. But while Izuku had recognized her, she wasn't sure that Katsuki had and for some reason, that saddened Rui a lot more than she thought it would.

Sighing, Rui stopped along the walkway and looked back up at the main U.A. building. 'Well, this wasn't how I imagined coming here, but I'm glad I did.'

"Hey."

Rui jumped a bit and turned to find Katsuki standing behind her. "Phew, you scared me. You really shouldn't sneak up on people like that." She watched his gaze go up and down her figure, as though he was scrutinizing her. "Can I help you with something?"

"At first, I didn't think it was you, but after seeing you with Deku, I know it is." Katsuki grumbled, his eyes narrowed a bit. "Why are you here?"

Rui felt herself blushing and uneasy under his analytic gaze. "I'm here for work study as part of my home schooling requirements."

"You can't just show up here out of the blue. Not after all these years."

Rui sighed, unsure of where the conversation was going. "What do you want me to say, Katsuki? I didn't know you and Izuku made it into U.A. and I wouldn't have had a way to know, not with as over protective as my mother is. She wouldn't let me write or call you or Izuku; she barely even talked to Uncle Shota after Dad died." Rui looked away. "Mom lost it after Dad died... she didn't want me to have anything to do with the hero business..."

Katsuki watched her a moment, trying to understand. He had been so angry and hurt when she left out of nowhere, barely uttering a goodbye before she disappeared from his life. Seeing her again like this just brought it all right back up to the surface, while adding a few new emotions on top of it all.

"I'm sorry I couldn't call or write... I really wanted to, but I couldn't bring myself to go against Mom's wishes... not after we had just lost Dad..."

Katsuki held her gaze when she looked up at him and tried to offer him a smile as she continued their conversation, but he knew there was a pain and regret behind it. 'Why does she always have a smile on her face..? Even when she's sad..?'

Rui glanced back at the main U.A. building, tucking her hair behind her ear as a gentle breeze blew threw the campus. "I am glad to be back, regardless of what's happened. I have so many good memories of this town." She turned her gaze back to Katsuki. "And I'm so happy for you, Katsuki. You and Izuku both."

Katsuki was taken a bit aback in that moment, a lot of other memories resurfacing as they stood there staring at each other for what seemed like hours.

"I should go." Rui noted, breaking the silence between them. "Mom is coming over for dinner with Uncle Shota, so I don't want to be late and worry her even more." She started walking passed Katsuki, stopping only for moment to add, "It really is good to see you again, Katsuki. I've missed you."

Katsuki watched Rui hurry on her way, the cool breeze bringing the burning sensation in his cheeks to his attention. He stood there even after she had disappeared from his view and he wondered again what it was about seeing Rui again after so long that was making him feel the way he was feeling.