I entered Missus' Yukihime's flower shop at around one o'clock in the morning. Using my silver key to open the door, I slipped inside with my backpack, not feeling the least bit tired. Strolling into the back of the shop, I dropped my backpack on the floor, deciding not to unroll my sleeping bag just yet. Sitting down at the small table in the back that doubled as my desk, I prepared to start the report Mister Aizawa would assign tomorrow about our internships.

My eyes widened when I saw the note sitting on the table. Leaning in to read the words in the dim lighting, I smiled happily. Missus Yukihime was proud of my success fighting the Hero Killer, and promised to take me out for dinner at the burger restaurant we visited before the sports' festival. Grinning, I folded up the note and laid it on the corner of my desk, before grabbing my notebook and pencil. I would try and go to sleep in an hour but… it probably wouldn't happen.

Luckily, Missus Yukihime had a coffee machine in her office. I'd just ask permission to use it tomorrow morning. Accompanied by the ticking of the clock, I wrote out my essay, then read it over and decided I didn't like it. Editing it with my pen, I scratched out sentences, replaced words, and then set about writing it again… and again… and again.

It wasn't until sunlight began peeking through the windows that I realized how long it had been. Mister Aizawa's nocturnal sleep schedule had taken its toll, and in the several hours that passed, I never once managed to sleep. I tried not to break down sobbing. I had school in a few hours, and I hadn't rested at all.

When the bell in the front rang, signaling Missus Yukihime's arrival, I came charging out of the back room despite my exhaustion. "Missus Yukihime!" I cheered, seeing the old woman's surprised eyes as I skidded to a stop in front of her. "It's so good to see you!"

Missus Yukihime chuckled, gently patting me on my head. "You came back early from Hosu, hm?" She said. "So, how did 'Hime-Hime' do?"

I wrinkled my nose, wondering how she would take this. "Well, there was a press conference yesterday…" I started, and Missus Yukihime's eyes widened. I tugged on my braids, feeling sheepish. "Yeah, um, so I might've helped catch the Hero Killer…?"

Missus Yukihime stared at me, silently stunned. Then she shook her head. "Child, how reckless can you get?" She asked, sounding both in-awe and exasperated by what I had done.

I grinned. "I don't know, I'm still trying," I answered, and with a laugh, Missus Yukihime strolled behind the counter. She crouched down, and came up with a familiar cloth and bucket.

"If you have time to be sassy, you have time to clean," she decided, and with a put-upon sigh, I took the cleaning supplies from her. Missus Yukihime pat me on the head one more time before heading into her office, adding, "Good job not stuttering, Ichigo."

I smiled as I wiped down the counters.

I got off of the bus, still grinning to myself. Even the unpleasant guy who always stared at me hadn't managed to ruin my mood. Tired as I was, I could finally return to school. Hopping over to the bus stop, I wondered if Ochako and Izuku would be there like usual, or if they hadn't returned from her internship yet.

My eyes widened when I saw not only Ochako and Izuku, but Momo and Shouto as well. Wondering what the heck was happening, I shuffled closer, very confused. Ochako, Izuku, and Momo were wrapped up in a conversation, with Shouto silently nodding along, so they didn't notice me until I was right next to Izuku.

"Uh, hey guys?" I greeted. Izuku spun around to face me, eyes widened and a screech of alarm on his lips. He relaxed when he saw it was me, cheeks turning red. I couldn't help but giggle at his expression. "Good morning, Izukun," I teased, as his blush turned even brighter.

Ochako laughed. "Geez, Icchan! We can't all be ninja like you, don't scare me like that," she said, hand over her heart. "I think my life just became several years shorter." I grinned cheekily.

Momo smiled brightly, giving a short wave. "Hello, Ichigo!" She said cheerfully, unaffected by my appearance. I waved back at her, happy to see my "intellectual conversations" friend present.

"Good morning, Ichigo," Shouto said, nodding. I nodded back at him, and then turned to Izuku.

I stared at him curiously. "So… what's going on?" I asked, confused why Momo and Shouto were at a bus stop that was probably out of their way.

"Uh, I told Shouto we walked to school together and he said he'd join us…?" Izuku answered, sounding slightly confused himself. One look at Shouto's impassive expression told me that any answer I got wouldn't be very informative.

Instead, I smiled at Izuku amusedly. "Shouto, huh? When'd that happen?" I inquired.

"Well, we're friends now, so…" Izuku shrugged.

"My habits are spreading!" I declared triumphantly, grinning proudly.

Momo coughed into her hand politely, and I instantly shrank back, cheeks turning red. She smiled gently. "My situation was similar. Ochako informed me, so I asked my driver to drop me off here instead of the Academy," she explained.

I nodded. "Th-that makes sense," I agreed, staring at the ground and tugging my braids in embarrassment. I was still adjusting to being more expressive.

Ochako slammed her hand on my back. "Chin up!" She ordered. "You were doing so well!" I choked on air, stunned by how hard she hit me, before nodding quickly. When had she gotten so strong?! "Great," she said. "Now, to Yuuei!" Ochako grabbed Izuku's wrist and began dragging him forwards, while Yaoyorozu chuckled and followed along.

I glanced to Shouto, who was trailing behind as well. I smiled at him nervously. "To Yuuei?" I repeated, still unsure of how to interact with the stoic teen. Shouto nodded, and I took that as my cue to rush ahead.

When we finally arrived at the school, I was feeling pretty ecstatic. Momo and Shouto had slipped into our friendship dynamic pretty quickly. Ochako, Momo, and Izuku walked ahead and carried on the conversation, I did my best to keep up while offering my input, and Shouto quietly trailed after, answering when questions were directed at him.

"Mount Lady's quirk isn't very realistic in a city environment actually," Izuku said animatedly, flipping through a notebook titled "Hero Analysis" and pointing at various bullet points. "Combat-wise gigantification is useful, but as soon as things get crowded she's limited in her ability."

Ochako protested just as eagerly, brown eyes lit up with passion. "Mount Lady does just fine though! As long as the streets are wide enough, she doesn't have to worry, and she sticks to spots where she can fight freely!"

"That's true," Momo agreed, adding to Ochako's defense. "Mount Lady also does an excellent job balancing her popularity with active patrol."

"I think that Mount Lady is a little promiscuous," I commented as we walked down the school halls. "Her attitude isn't very heroic either. What do you think, Shouto?" I asked, looking over my shoulder at the heterochromatic boy.

There was a small pause, and then Shouto responded. "When Mount Lady first emerged, she stole Kamui Woods credit," he recounted. "She also causes major damage to the city when she fights."

"That's right!" Izuku said eagerly, flipping through the pages of his notebook. "I was actually there when she first appeared," he continued, searching for the information.

Ochako jumped, staring at him with wide eyes. "Seriously?!" She gasped, grabbing his shoulders. Izuku looked up at her, startled. "What was it like? Was she awesome?" I giggled at the scared look on Izuku's face, stepping around the two to reach the classroom door. Holding the door open so Momo could step inside, I walked into the class, wondering what Mister Aizawa was planning to do today (beyond assigning the report I'd already finished).

I barely had time to look towards my desk, when I was interrupted by a hand landing on my head heavily. I froze. Bakugo leaned down, red eyes narrowed, to my eye level.

"So, Ichimi," he began, fake smile twitching. I gulped. "You fought the Hero Killer?"

I stared at him with wide eyes. "Y-yeah," I answered nervously, wondering why he looked so angry.

"You still owe me a fight," he pointed out, fake smile falling. His eyes were filled rage. "After school today, find the time. You got it?" I nodded frantically, slipping out from under his hand and rushing to my desk. Sitting in the uncomfortable chair, I tried to hide my shaking hands. Bakugo wasn't acting normal. He was more angry than before, his eyes looked more hateful. What had happened over the course of his apprenticeship that made him so infuriated?

Momo was standing at the front, and she clapped her hands together to gain everyone's attention. Conversations around the room stopped, as everyone looked up. She smiled cheerily. "I know that everyone is excited after the last week, but will you please sit down? Class begins in two minutes," she announced, taking over her role as Vice President. I bit my lip, feeling a sudden wave of guilt. Tenya wasn't coming back for another two weeks, if he came back at all. My shoulders slumped at the thought of him never returning.

Izuku, from his desk ahead of me, glanced back. His eyes widened. "Ichigo, are you okay?"

My head snapped up, and I pasted a smile on my face. "Yeah, don't worry about it Izukun," I said as my hands fisted my skirt.

The classroom door slid open, and Mister Aizawa strolled inside. "Good morning," he grunted, shuffling over to the podium.

"Good morning, Mister Aizawa," I recited faithfully with the rest of class. He looked as exhausted as I felt, and I remembered there was coffee in the teacher's lounge. I could probably make an excuse to get some.

Lunchtime rolled around inevitably, and I managed to beg Present Mic into giving me some more coffee before heading to the cafeteria. Slipping through the doors, I ran through my normal lines, then headed over to our table. I barely managed to smile at Ochako before plopping down into my seat and snatching my cup of coffee of my tray. I took several sips, staring morosely down at the black liquid.

A hand tapped my shoulder, and I flinched, looking back immediately. My eyes widened when I saw a series of familiar faces.

"Hey, Shinsou, Shiozaki, Tetsutetsu," I greeted, smiling happily. I placed my coffee on the table, standing up to face them.

Tetsutetsu crossed his arms, smiling lopsidedly. "Kurosaki, you gave us a heart attack," he said. "Tangling with the Hero Killer? Seriously?"

I giggled sheepishly, tugging on my braids. "Well, that wasn't exactly planned," I told him.

Shiozaki nodded. "We're just happy you are well, Kurosaki," she informed me seriously. "It would be a shame to lose a friend in such a way."

I smiled brightly. "Thanks, but you don't have to worry about me!" I assured them, holding up my fist. "With my quirk, death isn't in my cards anytime soon!"

Tetsutetsu laughed boisterously. "Too true!" He held out his fist, and I bumped mine against his. "Keep being a badass then!"

"You got it!" I agreed, and he and Shiozaki walked off towards their table. I now looked to Shinsou, who had yet to speak. "Is something wrong?" I wondered.

He shifted awkwardly. "I wanted to thank you," Shinsou said quietly. "After joining your team, and reaching the second round of the Sports Festival… I got transferred into Class B," he informed me.

I grinned, excited for my friend. "Really?! You did?!" I said, clapping my hands together. "That's awesome!" I cheered.

"Yeah, it is," Shinsou agreed. "But… I'm not as capable as the other students in combat, and I'm starting late in the year, so," He paused, taking a deep breath, before meeting my eyes with determination. "I'd like to ask if there's any way you can teach me hand-to-hand combat."

I choked in surprise. After a second of floundering, I asked dumbly, "wait, me train you?" Shinsou nodded, looking anxious, and I stared at him for a moment before regaining my senses. "I could, uh, try," I started, seeing his shoulders slump. "But I might have a, uh, better idea."

Shinsou straightened his shoulders, looking curious. "A better idea?" he repeated.

"Yeah. What if you - with permission, of course - joined in on some of my training sessions with Mister Aizawa?" I suggested. Shinsou looked excited, so I tried to caution him from raising his hopes too high. "Mister Aizawa is pretty, uh, demanding, so it may not work out, but there's no harm in asking, r-right?"

Shinsou nodded, clenching his jaw. "Thank you, Kurosaki," he said.

I smiled. "Don't worry about it," I told him. "But we're not going to finish lunch if we don't start eating soon, so…"

"I'll leave you to your food," Shinsou responded, smiling amusedly. He turned around, heading for the same table Shiozaki and Tetsutetsu were sitting at. I grinned happily at their friendship, before spinning on my heel towards the table.

Izuku, Ochako, and Momo all stared back at me. My eyes widened at their blank looks, before I slowly sat down, feeling awkward. At least Shouto was focused on his food.

"You're super nice, Icchan," Ochako said finally. Izuku and Momo nodded in agreement.

"Your actions are most admirable," Momo agreed. "Offering to share your knowledge is impressive."

I tugged on my braids. "Uh, thanks?" I said questioningly, wondering why they'd been listening into my conversation. I turned my eyes back to my food, focusing. "Can I eat now?"

When the bell rang, signaling the end of school, most of my friends immediately flooded out of the classroom. Mister Aizawa was the first person out the door, and I knew he'd be heading home to sleep before his nightly patrol, since we didn't have training this week. I sat at my desk timidly, waiting for what I knew was coming next. Staring at my lap, I clutched my skirt, hearing the other students leave in a flurry of conversation and footsteps.

Bakugo was quick to come over, once the others had left. "Ichimi," he said, and I raised my head an inch to meet his eyes. "Let's go. We'll use one of the training fields here." I swallowed, nodding slowly and standing up. Hands shoved into his pockets, Bakugo led the way through the halls, down the stairs, towards a familiar training field.

I stared at the open gate for the Broken City training field with wide eyes. I knew that many of my classmates came here after school to practice, and Mister Aizawa had made me free run here before, but the idea of open combat in the dangerous area was nerve wracking. The entire model-city looked like it'd been demolished by an earthquake, with knocked over buildings, piles of rubble, and shattered glass covering the cracked concrete streets. I gulped, following Bakugo inside.

The blonde lead me through several streets, finally reaching an empty city block. It was mostly clear of any wreckage, but there was still glass covering the asphalt. Bakugo spun around, eyes narrowed. "Here and now, let's go," he ordered.

"B-but what about our uniforms!" I protested, hands automatically grabbing my scarf and taking a battle stance anyways. "I don't have any tools beyond my scarf!"

Bakugo pulled his lips back in a snarl, taking his own fighting stance. "You didn't have your scarf during the Sports Festival. Consider it even," he declared, hands sparking. "Three, two, one, DIE!"

A/N Before you can ask, Bakugo is pissed because this time around, Shouto, Izuku, and Ichigo got credit for fighting the Hero Killer, while he feels his time with Best Jeanist was wasted. He wants to fight Ichigo to prove he's still stronger. And Momo is more confident this time around because of her time with Gunhead.