Just as after every other battle, the press was going wild. Every hero was being interviewed about what had transpired and Rui found it difficult to focus when she saw Katsuki sulking nearby.

"Sirona, this is your first time back out in the field like this, how do you feel?"

"It's not what I thought it would be like, but thanks to the training I have received over the last few years I think I did alright."

"What do you think about the teamwork of the heroes here today?"

"I think given the situation, we did what was necessary and what we could to minimize casualties and limit any further damage to the city. We all know our strengths and our weaknesses and I would say that we were all able to adjust to the situation accordingly and worked well with each other."

"What are your plans now? Will you be joining an agency? Or will you be continuing on your own?"

"I've decided to return to Gunhead's Agency in hopes of continuing to grow as a hero."

Off to the side, as Rui was being interviewed, Katsuki was trying to avoid having to talk to anyone and watched her speak with the reporters.

'What the hell is she doing here?' he wondered, his brow furrowed as he tried to process how he felt about seeing her again.

It had been four years since the last time he had seen Rui and things did not end well between them. She had left to return home, leaving behind her friends and her uncle along with a letter to Katsuki.

As he sulked, he reminisced about the night that he found Rui's letter.

"Katsuki, you're home."

Katsuki looked at his mother, seeing her face a bit sullen. "What is it, Mom?"

"There's a letter for you, from Rui." Mitsuki handed the letter to him.

Katsuki took it with confusion and opened the envelop, pulling out the letter and reading through it.

'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'

"Katsuki?"

Katsuki turned and threw open the door, running across the street to the apartment building. He scaled the stairs and pounded on the door to unit 314, but no answer came.

"If you're looking for the nice young girl that was staying there, she's gone home."

Katsuki looked at the old lady coming down the hall towards him.

"Such a shame, she was such a sweet thing."

'She's gone...'

"Hey, Bakugo, you're bleeding."

Katsuki looked at one of the heroes that were passing by, then looked at his arm where he felt stinging.

"Hey, Sirona!"

Rui heard her name called and looked over to see one of the heroes waving her over. She excused herself from the reporters and hurried over, ignoring Katsuki for the moment as best as she could. "What's up?"

"Bakugo needs some healing."

"No, I don't."

Rui looked at his arm. "Yes, you do, that looks a bit deep."

"I said I don't need your help." Katsuki pushed back from where he had been leaning and started walking away.

"Come on, Katsuki, let me treat your wound before it gets any worse," Rui said, hurrying after him.

"Are you deaf?"

"What is your problem?"

Katsuki stopped and glared at her as he turned to face her. "You are. You're gone for four years and just show up out of nowhere like it's no big deal. Again!"

Rui shot right back at him. "You know why I had to leave! And I came back as soon as I could!"

"Really? Four years later?!"

"I-" Rui sighed and looked away. "I didn't just get back... I've been back for a while..."

"How long?"

"A couple of years..."

"A couple of years... and I'm just now finding out?" Katsuki tsked and turned away. "What am I talking about, of course, I'm the last to know... I bet you told Deku you were back first, didn't you?"

Rui looked up at him. "Why are you being like this, Katsuki?"

"Like you care."

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't, you ass!"

Katsuki just ignored her and stormed off, leaving Rui conflicted. He knew their reunion, whenever it was going to happen, would not be an easy one. But this? This was not what he wanted and it pissed him off even more than he already was that he couldn't get around the mixed feelings of seeing her again.

Rui watched as Katsuki disappeared and sighed, more disappointed than angry.

"Rui? You OK?"

"I'm alright, Ochaco..."

"Hey, we're all getting together for drinks and karaoke later tonight. Everyone would love to see you."

Rui looked back at her old friend and offered her a smile. "I'd like that."

As they turned to rejoin the other heroes, Rui chanced a glance behind her and wondered what the future would hold if things were going to be like this between her and Katsuki.

'I shouldn't expect things to ever be the same...'