"Are you sure you're going to be OK?"

Rui nodded, hugging her uncle as they prepared to part ways. "I'll be fine, I promise. I need to make a quick stop or two along the way, but I'll call and let you know that I made it OK."

Shota returned her embrace and sighed. "If anything happens, call me. No matter what it is."

"I will, I promise." Rui stepped back and looked up at him. "You should go before the others get too antsy."

"Alright. Safe travels, kiddo."

Rui waved her uncle off as he took off to U.A. where the other teachers and the students were supposed to gather. She waited until the cab was out of sight, then turned and started making her way towards the cemetery. She weaved her way through the rows and made her way to her parents' gravestone.

"Hey, Mom and Dad. I'm leaving town again and just wanted to say goodbye before I did." Rui set a few incense sticks in the bowl and lit them, giving up a silent prayer before sighing. "It won't be the same without you, but I'll be OK. I love you both." She kissed her fingers and touched them lightly to the names of her parents before turning and making her way out of the cemetery.

Her next stop was one that she was hesitant to even make, but it needed to be done. She walked down the streets, following the curves of the pavement until she reached the Bakugo residence.

'He's probably already left for the training camp...' she noted to herself.

Taking a deep breath, and preparing herself just in case, Rui made her way to the front door and knocked.

"Be right there!" Rui could hear someone calling. She looked up to see that it was Mitsuki answering the door.

"Oh, Rui! How are you, sweetie? I'm so sorry about your mother..."

"I'm alright, Mitsuki. Thank you for stopping by the other day, I really appreciated it."

"Of course, Isane and Hiro were good friends of ours. It's such a shame they're both gone now."

"Yeah... but I'll be OK. Uncle Shota is my guardian now, so at least I have someone still, right?"

"You have more than just your uncle, Rui. There are many people who love and care about you."

Rui smiled at that. "I know."

"What are you up to now? If you're looking for Katsuki, I'm afraid you've just missed him. He left a little while ago for the training camp."

"It's OK, it's probably for the best." Rui rummaged through her purse and pulled out a handwritten letter. "Would you mind giving this to Katsuki for me? Whenever he gets back, of course."

"I'd be happy to, but..." Mitsuki noticed her luggage. "You're leaving again, aren't you?"

"I need to go back home and take care of a few things."

"You'll be coming back though, right? At some point?"

"Honestly, I don't know what my future holds... I just need to take things one step at a time..."

"Oh, Rui..." Mitsuki pulled her into a hug. "If you ever need anything, you just give us a call. Anything at all, alright?"

"I will." Rui felt her eyes tearing up a bit. "Thank you so much, Mitsuki, for everything you've done for me over the years. I can't tell you how much it means to me."

"Anything for you, sweet girl."

Rui readjusted her luggage strap. "Anyway, I should go."

"Safe travels, Rui."

As Rui made her way to the gate, Mitsuki called out to her and stopped her for a moment to add, "You know, he may be terrible at saying or showing it, but that boy of mine cares a great deal about you."

Rui paused a moment. "I really want to believe that..." She gave her a half-hearted smile and a final wave before summoning her water board.

Mitsuki watched as Rui took off on her water board and her heart sank. 'Good luck, sweet girl.'

Dear Katsuki,

There's so much I want to say to you- so much that I've been hesitant to say- but with the way things have been going lately, I wonder if you would even listen.

I'm sorry things ended up the way they did between us and I wish there was some way I could fix it; I just don't know how to.

I wanted to thank you for the other day, for carrying me back and for the flowers, too. It was kind of you to do and very thoughtful. Thank you.

I'm going back to Kurihama and I don't know when I'll be back. There is still a lot that I need to take care of there before I can do anything else and I need time.

I'm sorry I have to leave like this, but at least this time I can say goodbye- even if it isn't how I imagined.

There's one last thing I need to tell you, something I've been trying for days to say.

Ever since we were kids, I've had feelings for you. I used to think that it was just a simple, innocent playground crush, but getting the chance to spend time with you again has made me realize that it's so much more than that. I should have told you this in person, but you've been so angry with me the last few times we've spoken.

I don't know what the future holds, but I do hope that you're still in it. I care a great deal about you, Katsuki, and I don't want to lose you.

Good luck to you, I wish you the best.

~Rui