Eight Months After Ayano Left

Bakugou was doing some small workouts in his room when he heard a knock on his door. Kirishima poked his head in, a large grin on his face. "Bakugou! Your parents came here to see you!" Bakugou almost clicked his tongue in annoyance before Kirishima continued. "Ayano's parents are here too!"

The ash blond blanched at that. Ayano's parents? Why would they be here? Had something happened to her?! Kirishima didn't make it sound urgent, so it shouldn't have been anything serious, right? But what if it was? Her father was also the stoic type, so maybe they just hadn't let on that something was wrong. But if something was, surely her mother wouldn't be able to keep her emotions in check, right?

Quickly coming back to his senses and using a towel to wipe off his sweat, Bakugou walked out with Kirishima, albeit a little rigidly. Reaching the lounge, he saw his parents conversing with Ayano's and some of his classmates were even joining in. He almost sighed in relief, seeing that the air was jovial and this was simply just a visit. Nothing more.

"What the hell are you doing here, you old hag?" Now that he was sure nothing happened to Ayano, he returned to his usual disagreeable self.

When she heard her son's disrespectful question, a couple of veins appeared on Mitsuki's head. She instantly got up from her seat to smack him upside the head. "Don't call me an old hag! Learn to treat your mother with more respect, you little brat!"

"I call it like I see it, you cow!" His remark earned him another smack. His classmates laughed sheepishly, definitely seeing the resemblance in the family.

Ayano's mother, Sasaki Asuka, giggled into her hand. "I'm glad to see that Little Katsuki is still the same after all this time!" Bakugou clicked his tongue at the nickname, always having disliked it. He turned to glare behind him, hearing a couple of chortles.

"Pfft! Haha, she called you 'Little Katsuki!' Seriously!?" Kirishima, Kaminari, and Sero were trying their hardest not to burst out laughing but to no avail. It was just like that time when Bakugou came back with that ridiculous hairstyle from Best Jeanist. He lunged at the trio, hoping to shut them up by force. Asuka giggled once more, glad to see that the boy had made some wonderful friends.

Midoriya walked up to the pair of parents with slight concern on his face. "It's so good to see you again Asuka-san, but what's the reason for your visit? Nothing happened to Aya-chan, right?" He grimaced, remembering the last time Ayano's parents visited right after the villain attack on the Summer training camp.

Bakugou paused in beating up Kaminari, the boy dangling from his collar which was in the other blond's firm grip. He turned to glare at Midoriya. That should've been his line!

Asuka quickly shook her head and hands. "No, no! Nothing happened to Ayano, thankfully! Kaito and I were finally given permission to go visit her, and we thought you all might like to hear some updates about her." She gently smiled, assuaging both Midoriya's and Bakugou's fears.

"…Is she…How is…Does she…" Bakugou fumbled. There were so many things he wanted to ask, but didn't know where to start. Eight months and he was already a mess when it came to Ayano.

Mitsuki raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Since when did you become such a wimp, huh?" "SHUT UP!"

Asuka giggled again, turning to her husband. "My, my! Our little girl certainly has him wrapped around her finger, doesn't she Kaito?" The stoic man nodded almost unnoticeably, silently sipping his tea.

Bakugou flinched, looking away with a scowl in embarrassment. "Forget it! I'm going back to my room!" He turned away, giving them full view of his red ears.

"Oh? But don't you want to know what Ayano entrusted us to give to you?" Asuka not-so-innocently asked, causing the boy to stop in his tracks, his ears perking up. He slowly turned his head to look at them over his shoulder. "She…She left something for me?" He tentatively asked.

The woman lifted up a package, showcasing it to him. "You wouldn't believe how much trouble she had to go through just to let us take it back to Japan! The security over there really is no joke. I think she had to sit through a conference for hours, explaining what was in here, and then had to undergo a bunch of testing. It's a good thing she has such a good track record. Otherwise, it might have taken even longer or maybe it wouldn't even have happened at all! So, be sure to look through it carefully, okay?" She gently smiled at the boy, delicately handing the package to him.

He took it, his hands almost shaking. His eyes scanned the package. It was a standard cardboard packaging box. On the top was his name written in black marker with her handwriting. He could recognize it easily. After all, he had kept that little note she left him the day of his provisional hero license exam, reading it over and over until her handwriting was engraved in his mind.

The package was of a decent weight. Upon shaking it gently, he heard something sliding along inside of it although it didn't seem like it was fragile. He bowed slightly in thanks, quickly rushing up to his room to set it down and then coming back to hear their stories about Ayano.

Along with his classmates, Bakugou intently listened to their every word. Although, it was mostly Asuka speaking with Kaito shortly interjecting every once in a while. As any proud parent would, she regaled them with stories of Ayano's accomplishments. She told them more in depth about her accomplishments that were broadcast on the news which Bakugou already knew of and she told them of ones that weren't, in which Bakugou eagerly listened.

After copious amounts of tea and conversation, Ayano's parents finally made to leave along with Bakugou's parents. "You better behave yourself over here, brat!" Mitsuki scolded her son.

The boy clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Yeah, whatever, you old hag." Turning to Ayano's parents, he bowed slightly in respect and in appreciation. He quickly turned around to hurry up to his room, itching to open the package.

As Asuka gazed at his retreating form, she giggled to herself. Mitsuki looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "What's so funny now, Asuka?" The blonde woman asked.

Asuka fanned her hand at her as she answered. "Oh, nothing! I was just thinking of something funny!" She then turned to look up at her husband. "I'm glad you mentioned that I shouldn't say anything else, dear. It might have really set him off!"

Mitsuki turned her head to her own husband with a questioning look. The man merely shrugged, also unsure of what they were referring to. The students still in the lounge were also curious.

The woman giggled again. "Truthfully, Ayano had something for all of her classmates…" She explained, surprising them. "…but because of all the restrictions and rules on I-Island, she was only able to send us off with Little Katsuki's gift. So, the rest of you will have to wait until she returns!"

Mitsuki shook her head with a smirk. "It's a good thing you didn't say anything then. No telling how that kid would've blown up."

Asuka smiled at her friend. "I was going to tease him too, but after seeing him, I think he's gone through enough without her here. He looked so cute rushing back to his room. Like a little kid that was finally able to go play with his new toy! Oh, I have to start planning their wedding!" She began excitedly mumbling details to herself, her husband gently pushing her out as he bowed to the students.

Bakugou rushed to his room, nearly slamming the door shut behind him. He stood in front of his bed, staring at the package sitting on it.

Unlike his hurried actions from just before, he handled the box with great care. Using a pair of scissors, he sliced it open with one sweep. His hands shook slightly as they lifted the flaps open.

His eyes were met with a circular disk, much like the one he received in the acceptance letter from U.A. It sat atop a stack of papers and next to several rolled up ones. At first glance, the stack of papers seemed to be a manual of some sort.

Carefully lifting up the circular disk, he noticed a small note taped to its underside.

Place on floor

It was her handwriting again with a note that was just as succinct as her speech.

Following the short instructions, he placed the disk on the floor a few feet in front of him. He heard a clicking sound go off, followed by a projection being released from the base of the disk.

"Hello Katsuki…"

It was her.

He stumbled forward, his hand outstretched to reach her, only to swing through her form and feel the air. After all, it was just a hologram.

With how life-like the projection was and with how much he yearned for her after eight months, he had momentarily forgotten that fact.

He studied the hologram, taking in every bit that he could get. The first thing he noticed was her hair. It was long enough to be tied up into a messy bun. Like she had done it as quick as possible, much preferring to spend her time working on her inventions instead.

He smiled, seeing his gift threading through her hair.

She removed the hairband, her hair falling gracefully to flow slightly past her shoulders. Her fingers fiddled with the cloth before letting it tighten around her right wrist. Even then, her left hand stroked at it.

"Your gift has been very useful. Please be sure to send my thanks to Mei and Fujiyoshi-kun as well, though I know you probably won't." She chuckled, her hand coming up to grab at a few strands of her hair. "How is it? Does it suit me?" She asked rhetorically, referring to her now long hair.

Of course it does. Anything would.

"It has been quite a hindrance, but I will be sure to keep my promise to you. Other than this small inconvenience, my time on I-Island has been very productive. I have worked with many talented people, participated in various competitions, received several offers, and yet…at the end of the day, my thoughts always return to you…"

"Just a few more months…" She sighed out, her eyes glistening with longing. "I had promised myself that I would try my hardest not to think about you so that I could focus on my studies. Needless to say, I failed. The minute I did, I scoured the internet for every video, every article, every announcement about you." She gave the most tender and loving smile.

"I'm so proud of you."

Bakugou grit his teeth, his jaw tightening. He felt a slight sting at the back of his eyes, but he'd be damned if he let her beautiful image be blurred by tears.

Ayano's projection looked to be on the verge of tears as well. She gave a small laugh, although this time it seemed like a more pitiful one rather than one of humor. "What is wrong with me…" She mumbled and then cleared her throat to compose herself. "I see that you are working under Endeavor now. I expected no less. First Best Jeanist, and now Endeavor. You really are amazing."

No, you're the amazing one.

"After watching so many videos, I brainstormed a few improvements to your costume. You'll find the details in the package my mother left you along with this recording."

Bakugou glanced at the box again, seeing the large stack of papers. She called those a few? He chuckled, thinking that it was just like her.

"Unfortunately, I could not make them myself, as the I-Island directors objected to it. We comprised, allowing me to send you just the blueprints and all the other details of your new costume. I am sure either Mei or Fujiyoshi-kun would be more than willing to try to figure out my designs. Or, if you prefer, you could request to have it made through U.A.'s affiliated support company. Although, I am uncertain as to how long that would take compared to my classmates."

Bakugou clicked his tongue in annoyance. He didn't like the idea of having to rely on someone other than her for his costume, but he supposed he had to make do. He certainly wasn't going to ask that preppy boy. That pink-haired girl seemed like she was dropped on her head as a baby, but he figured she was the better option of the two.

He flipped through the papers, seeing her drawings and many words he couldn't comprehend. Unrolling one of the larger papers, he saw a blueprint of his entire costume. He smirked, liking what he was seeing.

She most definitely was the amazing one here.

"There was meant to be more included in the package, but again, the I-Island directors objected. This was as much as I was permitted to send."

Bakugou smiled again, seeing the small bit of frustration on her face. He reveled in the fact that she would go through so much trouble just for him.

"I suppose I will just have to give everything else to you when I return. It won't be for much longer…Just a few more months…" She repeated, verbalizing what they both were thinking.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to gather her thoughts. Her eyes opened after a moment, staring straight ahead like she was looking right at him. "I will continue to do my best here at I-Island and keep my promises. In return, please be sure to do the same."

"I love you, Katsuki."

He heard a click, the projection fading back into the base of the circular disk. He stared at where she just was, his hands tightly holding onto the blueprints of his new costume. Getting up, he gathered all of the papers and marched towards the Development Studio to demand that Mei devote her efforts into recreating Ayano's work.

"…I love you, too…" He whispered into the air as he walked out.