No one was seen on the road. On this day off, the streets were surprisingly quiet and empty. There was no one to be seen, so the situation worked to Bakugou's advantage. Not long ago, he had not planned to leave the house at all.

"Are you awake, Katsuki?" a voice came from outside the kitchen, waking Bakugou. "Katsuki?"

"Don't shout!" jumped Bakugo, pulling the blanket off himself. He paced around the room, trying to wake up.

"Katsuki!"

Bakugou covered his ears and grinned reluctantly. He looked at the closed curtains. Outside the window, the dawn was breaking. Bakugou stepped closer, his hands still on his head. The leaves rustled in the slightest gust of wind. It seemed to be windy today.

Bakugou's gaze moved on. To where the children were running around carelessly. When was the last time he had had so much fun without thinking about what would happen next? Now, it seemed so out of reach.

There was a knock and the door opened slightly.

"Katsuki, please," Masaru's voice trembled slightly. "Mitsuki wants you to come down quickly."

Bakugou turned away reluctantly and removed his hands.

"You know she's just really worried," Masaru announced as he stepped inside, but Katsuki didn't seem to be in the mood for a dialogue. He walked past on his way to the bathroom.

"Yeah."

Unfortunately, the hope that his father would back off and stop chasing him was in vain, because he stayed outside and kept watch. Annoying, this whole thing is so annoying.

"I have to go."

"But your mother!", Masaru shouted, but Bakugou didn't listen. He changed his clothes and flew out into the street, not telling anyone where he was going, just throwing one last thing:

"I don't know, think of something."

"This is stupid," Bakugou repeated as he approached Midoriya's house. He really didn't understand why he had to do this and why he had decided to come here in the first place. It was clear enough as it was, there was no need to guess. But the thoughts came to him anyway, and here he was.

"Stupid."

Yes, it's all stupid. And this spontaneous idea to come here in the first place. He knew it, but he didn't want to think about it.

Now he walked. Alone. Was this the last time in high school? Bakugou stopped. It shouldn't matter to him. Certainly not him, right?

"Huh, who am I kidding?"

It affected him directly. It felt as if Midoriya was in his every day, his every second. And it felt so natural that it was now too unaccustomed not to hear her around him. Bakugou could tell himself that nothing would change without her, but that would be a lie. Now, without her, he was alone. Even if there were people around him, he was still alone. Out of habit? Perhaps. But some people can't get rid of habits all their lives.

It looked like he hadn't been able to hide for too long, because after half an hour of aimless walking, a loud bell rang, shattering the whole atmosphere that Bakugou was beginning to sink into. It didn't take much guessing to work out who the caller was.

"Katsuki!" came an angry voice from my mother. "Will you at least answer me now?"

"What do you want?" asked Bakugou irritatedly, heading home after all.

"How do you talk to your mother, you little brat, huh? I'm trying to reach you here and you sass me?"

Bakugou shuddered, unable to contain his anger, but this time he remained silent.

"I'll send you a list, so be prepared to stop by the shop before you return. I could use your help. Isn't Izuku your friend, so please take care of her as well."

Friend. How easy it is for others to judge. It's hard for him to say what they are to each other right now. Friends after all this time?

Even though Bakugou was turning towards home, he had no desire to go back. The sooner he was home, the sooner he would meet Izuku, and every meeting with her was accompanied by constant confusion. She seemed so simple, but how hard it was to understand her sometimes.

And here it was again. As he passed the playground, he noticed Midoriya with Nakayama. It was clear now what their plans were. Only it was unclear who had initiated this meeting. It didn't matter anyway. Both were equally annoying. On the other hand, why were the two of them together at all, since this mission was meant for Midoriya and Bakugou. Though, on second thought, had he done anything at all.

Bakugou turned around unhappily and sped up. There was no point in thinking about it now. Better to get on with what was important right now.

You didn't even need to look at the list to know what to buy, as Mitsuki didn't seem to try very hard to surprise her guests. It was her signature dish. The list of ingredients had long since settled in their minds.

"Did you buy everything?" asked Mitsuki from the threshold. She still seemed to be in anticipation, but as the meeting was about to take place, her anger was replaced by mercy. "What would I do without you."

"Are you completely crazy?" asked Bakugou incredulously, throwing the food on the table.

"Do you have no fear at all, child?" was Mitsuki's immediate reply, but she did not turn away from the stove. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today."

Bakugou stood next to her and started cooking, lost in his thoughts. It was relaxing. And it seemed to relax him so much that he didn't notice what was going on around him.

At some point, Mitsuki stepped away, leaving Bakugo alone. At the same time, he stood frozen, not taking his eyes off the seaweed. He was making miso soup, but for some reason, as stupid as it sounded, he remembered Midoriya.

You're an idiot," he said, turning to the seaweed without realising that he was saying it out loud.

"Who's going to understand you if you always keep quiet?" Nobody ever answered what he was asking, but he managed to draw attention to himself.

"Do I look like someone who can read minds?"

"You look like a crazy person who talks to food," Mitsuki replied.

The doorbell rang. Leaving her annoyed son to talk to the food, the elder Bakugou came to the door.

"Good afternoon," Midoriya smiled and greeted him.

"Hello Inko, are you alone?" Mitsuki asked, peeking behind her friend's back and letting her in.

"Izuku met that boy earlier, she said they would come together."

Mitsuki nodded in agreement, as if to say that the children were so independent now, whereas before they couldn't make a move without her.

"I can't wait to see your friend," Inko said as she greeted Katsuki.

"He's not our friend," Katsuki brushed him off.

Mitsuki gave her son an annoyed look and led Inko into the living room.

"Still, your daughter seems to have a better relationship with this boy than with Bakugou."

"As far as I know, it was her mission for both of them. But I'm still worried about her. It looks like it's for re-education as well."

"You are exaggerating. Maybe it'll turn into something more. You know that my brat is completely ignorant of normal human feelings."

"On the contrary, I'm glad that Izuku is around Katsuki. Maybe she'll set him straight."

"Don't say that, Mitsuki," Inko shook her head and looked at the door where the bell rang. "Oh, here comes Izuku, it looks like.

Mitsuki and Inko let Midoriya in and were surprised to see that she came alone.

"Hmmm, where's your friend?" asked Mitsuki and helped her through.

"Sorry," Midoriya replied guiltily. She greeted Masaru and turned back to her aunt. "Suddenly, his grandfather arrived. So he had to leave. He has a rather strict family."

"Oh, I see," Mitsuki sighed with a note of regret in her voice. "Too bad."

"Nakayama-kun apologises," Midoriya hastened to reassure her, only to be met with ridicule from Bakugou.

"Ha, that's what he said."

"Kacchan!"

"Don't mind him, you'd better come in. Nothing your friend can't say, but it's been so long since we've seen you both, so make yourself at home."

"So how are you? I can't get a word out of the little brat. He's as quiet as he's got water in his mouth."

"Ugh.

"Don't you get tired? You must have a lot of lessons, you're always busy."

"Oh no, it's really fine."

"I hope so."

She smiled. She smiled a lot more that evening. Maybe it was the presence of Inko and Mitsuki that affected her. Now, she looked as if she had rested very well. It was as if a weight of responsibility had been lifted from her shoulders. She looked really happy.

Even around her classmates, she seemed happy. Her soul was hungry for new acquaintances, for communication. But now it looked different.

"Are you all right, Midoriya?"

Uraraka began to ask this question more often, because Midoriya really did look like she was out of sorts sometimes. It was hard for anyone to notice, but it was there. Maybe not that obvious.

"Careful, Izuku," came Inko's exclamation. "All right?"

"Yes, mum, I just had a bit of a burn. It's nothing serious, I'm fine."

I'm fine. She's lying, isn't she? Even if you're not talking about the situation that just happened. But in general. When was the last time she was honest about her condition?