A week has passed since the school was infiltrated and there was still no sign of the strange music quirk user. It has also been that long since Kanami and Katsuki have talked. Katsuki watches her from across the cafeteria as she sits across from Hitoshi, talking animatedly about something while the brainwasher occasionally nods his head in acknowledgement or asks a question she seems all too happy to answer. Eijiro glances behind him to find what his friend has been glaring at and his eyes widen in realisation.
"You're gonna have to talk to her sometime, man," he advises, taking a bite of pork. Katsuki growls as Kanami reaches over to adjust Hitoshi's hands, correcting the sign he was trying to make. "Ignoring the issue won't make it go away."
"You think I don't know that?" He yells, slamming his fists on the cafeteria table. Eijiro, more than used to his friend's outbursts, remains silent as Katsuki gathers himself once more. "The hell am I supposed to say? Sorry for being a dick, let's grab dinner?" He rolls his eyes as he slumps in his seat.
"Something like that, maybe a few more words thrown in there." Katsuki scoffs in irritation, going back to glaring at the brainwasher from across the room.
"Sato-chan knows you're not great with words," Mina reminds him, "as long as you do something she's sure to forgive you. But waiting like this is only going to make it worse."
"She's got a point," Denki adds around a mouth full of rice. Eijiro leans in a little closer to the troubled teen.
"I heard she's staying after school for some more physical training. Could always go offer some help." Katsuki nods his head, not taking his eyes off of the couple in front of him. It's not a bad idea. That's how Katsuki finds himself pacing in front of the training rooms after school, torn between going in and running to hide in a hole for the rest of the year. Before he's able to make up his mind, the doors swing open, exposing a very surprised Kanami.
"Hi," she mutters after several seconds of staring at her boyfriend in stunned silence.
"H-hey," he stutters back, clearing his throat. Come on man, this is weak shit, he chastises himself. Sensing his inner turmoil, Kanami leans against the door, waiting for him to figure out how to put his thoughts into words. For a smart guy, he really can be an idiot, she can't help but think. Finally, he sighs and runs a hand through his already messy hair. "Look," he starts, looking anywhere but at her. "About last week." Kanami's breath catches in her throat. She hadn't expected him to be the one to bring it up. "I was a real ass. You don't deserve that. And I was completely wrong, I know you're strong enough to handle yourself out there." Beneath the gruffness of his tone, Kanami can hear the concern loud and clear hiding behind the tough guy act he keeps up. It's almost enough to make her smile. "Then, later on, when you found me in the woods…" he trails off remembering all too clearly the sight of the burns on her body, burns he had caused. "I didn't know how to face you after what I'd done," he admits in a rare moment of vulnerability. Every muscle in his body is tense, his neck tight as he clenches and unclenches his jaw, trying to restrain his anger and frustration with himself. Despite herself, Kanami's heart aches for him and she smiles softly up at the tall blonde.
"Race you back to my place?" She asks, voice small and gentle, as though talking to a wounded animal. Katsuki startles out of his thoughts, looking down at her in complete bafflement. "You can make me dinner and… all is forgiven?" Katsuki's lips twitch upwards into a smile before he quickly wraps his arms around her, breathing in the scent of her shampoo. She squeezes him back just as tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
"What'd you have in mind, short stuff?" She scowls at the nickname but remains silent, just shrugging against him in response. "I'll see what you got laying around then." When they separate, Kanami subtly wipes at her eyes, not wanting him to think he had made her cry. Again.
"Don't go easy on me," she warns him, taking off at an easy jog. He smirks after her, shaking his head.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he whispers to no one as he takes off after her. Despite his promise, Kanami still somehow finds herself reaching the porch of her dorm building before Katsuki. She narrows her eyes at him as she tries to catch her breath and lets him get the door for her. Her other classmates, all used to the third-year's random appearances, smile and wave, some still in awe at his presence until they are safely hidden away in the kitchen. "Alright, what're we working with today?" Kanami bites her lip, lifting herself up to sit on the counter, very pointedly looking anywhere but at him as he surveys her groceries. That doesn't keep her from feeling the disappointment in his gaze when he turns back to face her. "Kana." His voice is low, a little exasperated. "When's the last time you went to the store?" She turns herself around more on the counter, her back now facing him as she crosses her legs and peers out the window. Katsuki sighs, shaking his head. "You do know that food isn't optional, right?"
"Of course I do," she replies indignantly. "I just… forget to go to the store sometimes." He chuckles, examining a package of noodles.
"You know, you make it real difficult to feed sometimes." Kanami fights back a smile as she shakes her head.
"Nah, that doesn't sound like me."
"It doesn't?" She shakes her head again. "Is that why even your noodles are expired?" He asks, clearly teasing her. Kanami turns around in shock, leaping off the counter.
"What? There's no way!" Grabbing the package from the older teen, she finds that her precious noodles were, indeed, expired and lets out a long sigh. Katsuki chuckles and ruffles her hair.
"Come on, I'll make you something at my place." Kanami sighs as she fixes her hair and follows him back out the door. The two walk in silence for a bit, both a little unsure of what to say, when Kanami silently reaches out to take Katsuki's hand. He flinches, unconsciously yanking his hand from her grip, and visibly winces. He doesn't miss the look of disappointment that flashes across her face at his actions and curses under his breath. "I didn't -"
"It's fine," she assures him quickly. "Really, we both said some things and it's still a little tender -"
"Damn it, that's not what I meant!" Kanami looks at him with wide eyes full of confusion. Katsuki sighs, stopping to a standstill as he pinches the bridge of his nose. "You didn't do anything wrong, you're… you're great." Kanami drops her gaze to the floor as she feels her cheeks heat up. "It's got nothing to do with you, I swear."
"Then… what is it?" Katsuki runs frustrated hands through his hair, looking at anything and everything but his girlfriend. It takes him several minutes to force the words from his mouth.
"I lost control," he admits, voice taut. Kanami's mouth opens in a silent oh, realising what the problem is. "I hurt you." The anger in his voice is clear enough and, for a moment, he worries that he's frightened her, but when he manages to drag his gaze to her face, he only finds understanding. Of course she's not scared. Immediately after, he finds himself unable to look at her again. He hears the sound of clothes shifting and keeps eyes on the ground.
"Katsuki, look at me," she orders. "Katsuki." Her voice is stern enough to force his eyes upwards, catching the sight of her bare hip where she had pulled her tank top up and leggings down, exposing the area where just last week his handprint had been burnt into her. "I'm fine. I was fine that night." He averts his gaze again and, with only a slight eye roll, Kanami gently guides his face back to hers. "It wasn't you," she reminds him, gently. Katsuki's throat burns with unshed tears and, before he can look away to hide them, Kanami grabs his face with both hands and pulls him down to place a soft kiss on his forehead. "I don't blame you." Unable to speak, the older boy pulls her against his chest, wrapping her in his arms and resting his chin on the top of her head. After a few minutes, he pulls away but keeps his arm draped around her shoulders.
"Let's get you something to eat." Kanami smiles and nods before resting her head on his side. The rest of the walk back is significantly less awkward and, when they make it inside his dorm, the rest of his class smile in excitement.
"Hey, Sato!" Eijiro calls out from the couch, nodding his head in Katsuki's direction.
"Kanami-chan!" Katsuki manages to get out of the way just in time for Mina to jump Kanami, forcing her into a bone-crushing hug. "I missed you so much! It just wasn't the same without you at lunch, we have so much to catch up on!" Kanami glances over her shoulder at Katsuki as Mina starts pulling her away, a faint look of help me on her face. Katsuki merely smirks and shrugs, walking into the kitchen. Kanami's eyes widen in shock, Traitor. Kanami loves Mina, but the pink girl can definitely talk. Her only reprieve is when Katsuki re-enters the living area to retrieve her for dinner. "What'd ya make?" Mina asks, standing up with Kanami.
"Uh uh," Katsuki glares at his friend, gently placing a hand on Kanami's lower back to guide her away. "Just the two of us tonight. No extras." Mina pouts but sits back down anyway. Before they get too far though, Kanami stops, looking between the stairs and the kitchen where their dinner is waiting.
"I'm freezing, I'm gonna go grab one of your jackets real quick!" Kanami rolls her eyes at Katsuki's protests, insisting her food is going to get cold, and openly laughs at him.
"It's fine, I'll be right back," she yells over her shoulder, already running up the stairs and down the hallway towards his room. Halfway there, she hears a ukulele and someone singing softly to themselves.
"I saw you with that ribbon in your hair, think that I began to stare." She finds the room the song is coming from and can barely contain her surprise at seeing Shinsou sitting at his desk, tapping his finger to the beat, and singing with his back to her. "Maybe I'll love you for a while. A stranger, at a table in a place." He turns his chair slightly so she can see his profile and quickly ducks further behind the doorframe to make sure he doesn't see her. Once she's sure it's safe, she peeks back in and is even more surprised to see him smiling to himself, eyes clouded over as his thoughts are clearly occupied elsewhere. "And a really pretty face, I wonder what happens when you smile. I might never be your hero, never been one to fight." His smile turns sad as she watches with furrowed eyebrows, fully enthralled in his voice. It's deeper than the song's original singer, smooth, and so full of emotion, not at all what she would have imagined him sounding like. "That don't mean that I can't be your Valentine. I won't be your saviour either, couldn't even if I tried." She catches his eye roll and suppresses a giggle. "But I think I could be someone you like… someone you like." Once again, his eyes turn sad and Kanami feels her heart ache for the boy. She can almost see the disappointment hanging around him like a blanket. She wants to end his sadness in any way she can, even for just a moment, and can't help herself when the second verse starts, meant to make the song a duet.
"Reading," Hitoshi looks up at her in shock, unable to keep the surprise, and embarrassment, from his face at the moment. Kanami waves and smiles, shyly, continuing the verse, "in a coffee shop we share. Hiding shy behind my hair, watching our movie in my mind." She tucks her hair behind her ear, inching her way slowly into the room. She's careful to keep her quirk controlled so as not to let it out. "I promise." Hitoshi nods, letting the younger girl know she's allowed in, and the look of surprise finally falls from his face as he takes the moment to just enjoy her singing. She walks fully into the room, leaning against his desk next to him, still smiling. "Promise not to fly away. Make a story of today, come on." She nudges his arm with her elbow, playfully, pulling a smirk from the typically stoic faced teen. "Give me a try. I might never stop your sorrow, fix you up good as new. But that don't mean that I can't hold your hand in mine. I might never say I'm sorry even if I done you wrong, but I think I could be someone you like, someone you like."
Shinsou surprises her further but standing up and offering his hand to her. Looking at him with narrowed eyes, she places her hand in his and is stunned when he pulls her into his arms and begins to dance with her in the middle of the room. As he looks her in the eyes, Kanami feels a small blush stain her cheeks and she realises she has his full attention. It's not like when they're training together, this is off-hours, completely different, and he looks almost happy. Hitoshi isn't sure what possessed him to do this, but he finds he can't bring himself to mind. He spins her out and then quickly back in, forcing a laugh from the short girl's mouth, and smiles down at her. When she comes back into him, they sing in perfect harmony
"I might never be your hero, but I think I'd like to try, and the way you look at me is your reply." This time, both students blush, but neither looks away from the other, holding their gaze steadily. "You got a lot to learn about me, maybe you could start tonight, cause I think I could be someone you like… someone you like." Once the song finishes, they remain where they are, frozen in their thoughts, for a moment, before coming back to themselves and stepping away from each other. Hitoshi rubs the back of his neck, thoroughly embarrassed now that the moment's over.
"I didn't know you could sing," she offers, encouragingly. Hitoshi chuckles, unable to deny her.
"It's not exactly something I go around bragging about." His gaze remains trained on the floor, so he misses the smile growing on Kanami's face.
"You should. You sing beautifully." Receiving no response, realisation dawns on her. "Stage fright?" Hesitating for just a moment, he nods. "I get it."
"Kanami, you coming today?" Katsuki yells from downstairs, startling the two friends. Kanami rolls her eyes and faces the door, taking a few steps towards it.
"Yeah, I'm coming! Keep your pants on!" She yells, laughing. When she turns around, Shinsou has adopted his usual bored expression and slumped shoulders. "I should probably -"
"Yeah," he interrupts, looking just over her shoulder. "He doesn't exactly like to be kept waiting." This earned another eye roll from the now sixteen-year-old.
"Trust me, I know. Wouldn't kill him to learn a little patience." Actually, it might, Hitoshi thinks to himself, suppressing a laugh. She turns to leave again but pauses at the door. "You should sing it to her," she says, suddenly. He looks at her in confusion as she smiles at him. "The girl you were thinking about." He arches an eyebrow at her.
"What makes you think there's a girl?" She laughs at him and leans against his doorjamb.
"Please, even without my quirk I can tell when someone's singing from their heart." His cheeks flush pink as he looks down at the floor. Kanami smirks at her friend, knowing beneath his 'I don't care' attitude, he's just a kind, shy person who's been hurt too many times before. "I mean it. At the very least, she'll be impressed. You should do it." He catches her smile just before she leaves. Once she's gone, yelling to Katsuki she got his jacket and is running down the stairs, he breathes out a sigh and smirks sadly to himself.
"I think I just did."