"Maki?"

I looked up at dad, he looked concerned, "My sweet, what's wrong? Did Denki do something? I saw his car pulling away when I was walking up."

I shook my head, "We, umm, we broke up."

Dad sat on the corner of my bed, reaching out, taking my hand, "What? Why?"

I tried to stop the tears, "He got offered a spot with the band he auditioned."

Dad raised his brow, "So? He broke up with you to join that band?"

I shook my head, "No, I ended it. I can't go through what we went through with mom again. The long times apart, only spending a few days here and there, unexpectedly losing them. I can't, daddy, my heart can't take it."

He rolled me closer, hugging me tightly, "Oh, my sweet girl, it's okay. Just because that was my fate with your mother doesn't mean it's going to be yours."

I couldn't stop my tears, "I can't, daddy, I can't."

He rocked me back and forth, "Okay, it's going to be okay. Hey, if it's meant to be, it will be, okay?"

Dad held me as I cried.

I think I cried until I no longer had tears.

Dad kissed the top of my head, "Are you going to be okay?"

I nodded, pulling away, "I think I'm gonna go find Mio."

He stood, tousling my hair, "I think she's in the back, Bakugo's car is out front. I have to go back to the office, call me if you need me for anything."

I nodded.

I took a deep breath as I pulled myself up, wiping my face. She's going to know I've been crying. She's going to want to kill Denki.

I made my way to the back, into the studio.

I froze.

Mio was in Bakugo's lap, kissing him.

"Oh my god."

They both jumped and Bakugo pushed Mio off next to him as he stood, he cleared his throat and stood awkwardly, "I… bye."

He rushed past me.

I blinked a few times, trying to process what just happened.

Mio stood, straightening her shirt, "What's… whoa, hey, have you been crying?"

I shook my head, "Uh, we are not just brushing past that. What was that? Since when?"

She stepped closer, inspecting my face, "You've been crying. What did low charge do? I'll kill him. Where is he?"

I sighed, "Mio, stop, he didn't do anything."

She raised her brow, "Then why are you crying?"

I shrugged, "I just broke up with Denki."

Her eyes went wide, "What?! You're kidding."

I shook my head.

She hugged me tightly, "Because of the scout?"

I nodded. I can't cry again. I just can't.

"Oh, sweetie," She held me like mom used to, "I'm sorry, I'm sure you're doing what you think is best."

I hugged her, "He said he'll come home to me."

"I'm not surprised, he loves you."

I pulled away from her, if I hug her anymore I know I will cry again. I sighed, "So, you and Bakugo?"

She hung her head, "Shut up about it, okay? It's a new thing and I'm not even sure what it is yet. We haven't really talked about it."

I nodded, "I see, so you guys made up?"

She shrugged, "I'm still mad at him but going as long as I did without talking to him was hard." She paused for a minute, "Don't tell him I said that."

I smiled, "Got it."

Over the next few days, it was hard not to call or text Denki, he sent me a few messages at first but it stopped after a couple of days. I think he figured out I'm not going to answer.

I didn't see him in class. He must be practicing with the band around the clock.

He leaves tonight.

I wonder if he's still coming to the graduation party.

Jiro made adjustments to the show, she's going to play the guitar for our songs and loop what's extra through her sound system.

It broke my heart he wasn't going to be playing with us one more time. I didn't think the policeman's ball was the last time. If I had known, I would've appreciated it more.

It was finally time to go on.

I stood in front of the mic. It didn't feel the same. It wasn't as joyful.

I said our hellos and we started to play.

As we played our show, my eyes scanned the room. A part of me was hoping he'd show up but he didn't. my heart fell.

The piano started for the second to last song.

Think of me when you're out, when you're out there
I'll beg you nice from my knees
And when the world treats you way too fairly
Well it's a shame I'm a dream

I looked out into the crowd, yellow hair with a black streak caught my attention. He's here.

All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you

This song is one I dedicate to him.

I think I'll pace my apartment a few times
And fall asleep on the couch
Wake up early to black and white re-runs?
That escaped from my mouth

Oh, oh

All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you
All I wanted was you

I watched him as I sang. He knew this was meant for him.

I could see the pain in his eyes.

I watched as someone came up, nudging him, waving him away. They're taking him to make him leave.

I sang the hardest line in the song. I could hear my voice crack as he turned to walk away.

He's leaving.

He looked back at me one last time before he walked out.

I felt the tears in my eyes.

As I finished the song, I fell to my knees. My heart is in pieces. He's gone.

Jiro pulled me up and we made our way off the stage, "Maki, are you okay?"

I didn't answer.

She sighed, "We'll call it a night here. Do you want me to give you a ride home?"

I shook my head.

She made her way back to the stage to let Bakugo and Tokoyami we're done.

I felt Tokoyami's comforting hand on my shoulder, "Did seeing Denki get to you?"

I nodded.

He sighed, "Have you said goodbye yet?"

I shook my head, wiping a stray tear I couldn't hold back, "No, I didn't. I haven't spoken to him since our break up."

He squeezed my shoulder, "I see, do you think you're going to be okay with that?"

I'm not, I know I'm not, "Tokoyami…"

He nodded, "You should see if you can catch him. He probably stopped at home before leaving. You know, to say goodbye to his family."

I hesitated, "What if he doesn't want to see me?"

Tokoyami shook his head, "Not possible. Denki loves you, you're probably the only person he wants to see before he leaves."

I felt warmth in my heart.

I took a deep breath, "Should I go see if I can catch him?"

Jiro nodded, "You should and I'll drive you over there."

Jiro got us there quickly and left once I made it to the door.

I knocked, unsure of what I'd say if Denki answered.

"Maki?" Emi raised a brow as she pulled the door open.

I stepped in, my hands stuffed in my sweater pockets, "Is he still here?"

She shook her head, "He left. But, he left something for you in his room."

I was confused and slowly walked over to his door. I felt conflicted. I didn't want to open the door. If I do and he truly isn't there, it makes it all real.

I finally got the courage and pulled open the door, I could see him standing there, a big smile on his face. Happy to see me. Ready for me to run and hug him.

But that was just in my head.

His room felt empty.

The guitar I got him for Christmas was gone. His clothes are mostly gone. Everything else was the same. Like it always was.

I could still smell him as if he were standing right in front of me. Sunshine after a rainstorm.

I stepped farther in, grabbing his hat from the wall, it had a lightning bolt on the bill. It was his favorite. I'm surprised he didn't take it.

I looked at his bed. I'm going to miss laying together while I read to him.

A box and envelope with my name on it caught my attention.

I sat on his bed, holding them. I don't want to open them.

"He really wants you to have what is in there," Emi said softly, leaning against the door.

I took a deep breath, opening the letter. There were several papers, some official-looking, and one handwritten:

My Buzzy,

I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. I was really hoping to give this to you in person, but you didn't want to see me, which I understand. I'm sorry things went this way. It's not how I wanted it to go. But I stand by what I said the other day. I will come home to you. I'm still in this. I love you. I can't wait to see you again. Until then, I think you'll need this since I won't be there to take you to your first class. Don't freak out and don't reject this gift.

I love you

Your Pika, Always

I raised my brow and opened the box. It's his car key.

I dropped the key.

"Don't panic," Emi spoke cautiously.

I shook my head, standing, "No, I can't take that. That's his car. It's your car."

Emi shook her head, "Denki saved for two and a half years for that car. He paid for most of it. We only agreed to help when we saw his responsibility. After, the only we covered was insurance. He got the rest."

I wiped a tear from my face, "It's too much. I broke up with him and he's giving me a car? No, I can't. I can't take it."

Emi wrapped her arms tightly around me, "Oh, honey, what use is it here? He couldn't take it. He wanted you to have it. It's paid for, there are no strings attached, and he knows you broke up with him to keep yourself from getting hurt not because you don't love him. He gets it. Take the car, dear. You're going to need it."

I felt the tears start to flow.

Emi held me the same way Mio and mom used to. I hugged her as I cried.

She kissed the top of my head, "I know baby, I know this sucks, it all happened so fast. I don't like it either but you know it was his path."

I nodded, "That doesn't mean I have to like it."

She wiped my tears, "You're right, dear. Take the car, he wanted you to have it. If anything, make it be a way to keep him close as he's gone."

I picked up the key and the papers, "He signed the ownership to me?"

She nodded, "That way nothing could happen to make you lose the car."

I shook my head, I can't believe this. Who leaves and just signs a whole car over to someone without even talking to them about it?

I mean, not like he had a chance. I was ignoring him. But still, he could've tried harder.

Emi hugged me again, "It's going to be okay, love, he'll come back and when he does, you two can pick up as no time has gone by. And until then, you're always welcome here. Our door will always be open."

I smiled, "Thank you, Emi, that means so much."

She nodded, "Now, you should get home, get some rest."

I lingered for a moment in his room. This is the last time I'll stand in this room for a while. Just being in here hurts.

I can't believe I didn't say goodbye.

I'm sorry, Denki, I love you.