Sorry this chapter is so short! I just wanted to start setting the scene. Next chapter will be much longer

"Wonderful work today, Leinei."

She looks over her shoulder as ReDestro claps his hands together. Exhaustion is pulling at every inch of her body, the bags under her eyes deepened to create pools. They seem raw still, red and bloodshot. He pats her shoulder gently.

"Even without your meta ability, you're a wondrous asset. Please do get plenty of rest tonight. We have a meeting tomorrow with the entire Front and I would hate for their idol to have to miss it."

"Yes sir," she mumbles, rubbing her eye with the side of her hand. Hiding the growing anxiety she felt in her stomach, she returns to her room and collapses in her bed. She curls into a ball, hugging her pillow. Despite the extremely alluring prospect of sleep, she can't escape consciousness no matter how much she tries.

This is all over tomorrow.

I'm going home tomorrow.

This nightmare will be over tomorrow.

Tomorrow, tomorrow,

I get to see Katsuki again tomorrow.

She buries her face in her pillow to hide her sleep deprived smile. She can feel herself trying to cry from the relief, but there's something blocking it.

Speaking of blockages, she hasn't been able to use her quirk since her meltdown in the hallway. She can't even feel anyone else around her, and it's something she never thought she'd miss. The thought terrifies her and it feels like she's missing a part of herself entirely.

After getting Keigo to calm her down, Dabi took her to see Ujiko. The doctor ran every test he could, ultimately deducing that she was suffering from a sort of mental block. The man seemed disappointed in her as he relayed the results.

"There's also the possibility her meta ability is getting ready for an awakening and needs more energy than she can muster for now. I would suggest letting her rest and see if it returns on its own before I start intervening," the doctor told them.

And despite doctor's orders, she still continued the vigilante work. She wouldn't be called useless and worthless while at the Front. Not when she still has other abilities that she can hone.

It still bothered her so much. Why then? Why now of all times did her quirk decide to abandon her? And why did she care? She felt broken with it for so long, like it was a curse. It was a curse. She hated herself because of her quirk.

And now, she's wishing it had never disappeared in the first place. It's like she's gone numb to everything. It terrifies her. She felt too much, now she feels nothing at all. She wishes she felt happy that it was gone, that she got her wish for it to just disappear so she could be quirkless.

The grass isn't so green…It's more dead and wilted.

There's a knock at the door. She lifts her head, calling for them to come in. Zori cracks the door open slightly, peeking his head in before fully stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. He has two saran wrapped sandwiches in his hand as he walks over to the bed and sits on the edge.

"Twice told us you were back from your last publicity stunt," he tells her as she sits up. "Figured you might be a little hungry."

"Thanks," she replies, taking one of the sandwiches and unwrapping the plastic. Zori smiles as she eats, taking slow bites and chewing thoroughly.

"Are you okay?" he asks as he unwraps his own sandwich. She shrugs as he starts eating. "Well, it's not really a secret you haven't been using your quirk on those little missions the higher ups send you on. You know you can talk to me."

She nods, taking another bite of her sandwich. It tastes like sand in her mouth now, making her want to throw up. Despite the taste, she powers through eating the rest of it, knowing she needs the strength for tomorrow. I have no idea how it's going to go. I need to try and be at the top of my game tomorrow.

"I know. I'm just trying to prove to myself that I don't need my quirk to win," she tells him, a blatant lie through her teeth. He nods, as if understanding. "Anyway, were you planning to be at the meeting tomorrow?"

"It's mandatory isn't it? Except for the lieutenants that is. Aren't you going?"

"I was thinking about just skipping it," she tells him, shrugging again. "You should too. And Ikrys and Alisa."

"Won't we get in trouble?"

"Nah, I'll take the heat for it. You guys should just go home and stuff, maybe go on a trip. It's been a while hasn't it? Maybe Alisa would mind the help with her family."

He's quiet, studying her for any hint she might be giving something up. She just smiles at him, tilting her head forward. He finishes his food and pats her shoulder.

"If you say so, Leinei. Alisa was talking about taking her siblings on a trip to America to see I Island."

"That's perfect. They'll definitely love it."

"So I'll go tell her to have them pack their bags," he says softly, getting off the bed. She won't look at him now, as if ashamed. "Lei…can I ask you something?"

"Depends."

"Are you happy you met us?"

"I.." The question shocks her a little bit, making her look up at him. His smile is sad, his yellow eyes full of adoration. She can't tell anything else from him, and hates herself for it. "I am, Zori. I'm glad I met all of you."

"We're glad we met you too, Lei."

With that he leaves, relief flooding her system. At the very least, she didn't want her three friends caught. They weren't bad people, just misguided. Maybe after all of this is over, she'll find them again and help them get their lives together in a better way.

Yeah. Yeah, I can do that. Maybe I'll reopen Starlite and give them all jobs, like Reina did.

Because even the little stars deserve to shine as brightly as the sun.

She covers her eyes with her hand, trying hard not to laugh. She fails miserably, leaning her head back as she parts her fingers to stare at the ceiling. The realization doesn't fall far from the irony that smacks her with a studded glove.

It took running with villains for a few months, but she finally understands her sister's motivations. Now, when there's room for her to fail, for when she can't even tell her sister thank you.

I hate myself. But there's still so much I can do.

Reina, watch over us, okay?

Watch what I do.

Watch what I will become.

I'm going to make you proud. I swear that. And when everything is fixed and back in place, I'm reopening Starlite. Every star will shine as bright as you did.

Tomorrow is the day.