The waves that crashed upon
The rocks that you were trying to step along
And in my head I heard them play a song
For you and me - Lost at Sea by Zedd ft Ryan Tedder

The lights were all blazing merrily when Mashirao and I neared UA. Students were still heading back to the dorms, but enough were on the streets to still provide a cozy atmosphere. I ambled along at his side, wondering why he'd been so quiet on the way back.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to sit with you," he said suddenly, making me nearly trip on my own feet. "I saw you were sitting with that Shinso guy. He's bad news, Ochaco-chan."

"I know you feel like he used you in the Sports Festival."

Mashirao's tail whipped in a tight arc like an angry cat, "Because he did use me. He violated my mind. I can't forgive that."

I watched the ground, my feet eating up the space to Alliance Heights as I thought about what he said. I'd seen it. Ojiro-kun gave up fighting in the finals because of Shinso. Midoriya had his own body turned against him. His quirk was strong, and it was in no way cute or easy to live with.

"He wants to be a hero." I nodded along to myself. "Anything he did was aimed at getting him to the top. We all betrayed someone or something at the Sports Festival. Even you."

"Not like that."

His voice was small, and I knew in my heart that he understood what I was saying. We each would have gladly torn the crown from Bakugo, Iida, Todoroki, or Tokoyami. We were playing to win, by any means necessary. I did things I wasn't proud of, and felt jealousy rise in me when Bakugo ascended as first place.

"I get it, Mashirao-kun." I paused, making him do the same, "Thank you for watching out for me." He nodded, and I wanted to wipe the miserable look off his face. I didn't want Toru-chan to see him at anything but his best, so I summoned a real smile, "Thank you for tonight. I really did have a fantastic time. And I couldn't be prouder that my date brought home first place!" His lips curled in pride then, hefting the trophy that shone in the celestial light, "Thank you for a wonderful date."

We walked into the dorm together, him holding the door with his tail and grinning as half the class surrounded him asking about the trophy he was carrying. I felt my lips lift in shared happiness as I slipped away.

I found myself in my room, and plonked down in front of my laptop in under seven minutes. Eagerly, I checked my e-mail, and saw the message:

Meet me Friday at seven. Front gates. -Hitoshi

I went to bed with a blush riding my cheeks.

Wednesday

Present Mic leaned against the teacher's podium as we all listened to Kirishima read poetry aloud. His English wasn't bad, and I was easily able to follow along. He sat and Mic clicked his book closed as the bell rang.

"Yyyeaahhh!" Mic's eyes gleamed, "Finish the reading for tomorrow. There will be a quizzzz!"

"Ugh." I leaned back dropping the book in my bag, "I wish we were reading almost anything else."

Satou leaned over, "What if it were epic poetry?"

"I take it back." I giggled, "Are you ready for Midnight?"

Koda turned in his seat and signed while speaking quietly, "I have tickets to the new exhibit at the aquarium."

I raised my eyebrows and Satou grinned at the quiet boy, but turned to me, "He's talking to you," he stage-whispered.

I was surprised as I turned interested eyes on the other boy who's neck pinked delicately. He opened his mouth, and his fingers flashed before he lay them on his knees. "I'm sorry, Koda-kun, what did you say?"

He took a breath and his eyes tracked the door as Ms. Midnight swayed in and set up her things. "My dad was hired by the Musutafu Aquarium to set up their Caribbean exhibit, and tonight there is a gala being held. He wants me to come, and I watched you go with Mineta-kun and Ojiro-kun, and if it's not too much, I have tickets..." He swallowed, his hands moving again, "Would you mind going with me? It's tonight as soon as we get done with practicals."

I could practically feel Mina's approving stare, but I would have gone even had this silly game not commenced. Not only do I love any chance at all to dress up, but I love the ocean and aquariums, and Koda was possibly the nicest boy in class. I gave him a happy grin, "I would love to."

Later

The Aquarium was festooned with lights of all kinds, making it look as if I'd been transported to an oceanic fae realm. I tugged at my dress, picking out tiny unseen lint as Koda shifted his feet staring at the tuxedoed security who were waiting to check the invitation he held in a shaking hand.

"You can do this," I encouraged with a smile. "We both look like we belong, and your dad is inside waiting, right?"

He sighed, "My father is deaf. That's why I sign. Just speak to him like you'd talk to anyone else, okay?"

"Oh." He looked upset, like that admission had cost him something. "Do you think I will embarrass you?"

"No!" His fingers closed hard and fast, "No," the same sign, slower and doubled, "I didn't mean it that way. I was afraid you'd be embarrassed." That admission was as quiet as the grave.

I looked toward the aquarium, "Teach me a little. How about, 'Hello, my name is Ochaco.'

He smiled, the first one I'd seen since earlier tonight when I'd shown up right on time. I laughed a little, but he turned me with those large hands, making me face him. I stilled my thoughts and listened intently.

"First of all, speak normally." He said, "And try to be yourself. Smile. Body language is very important, and it tells more about you than you know." It came out in a rush as he lowered his hands to mine. His gentle hands puppetting mine.

"Hello." He held his hand facing me all his fingers up like I was about to wave. "Easy. Good."

"My." He put my hand to my chest and mimicked it with his dominant hand.

He nodded, a bit of encouragement, "Then hold your left hand almost like a finger gun, thumb down." He positioned my hand on it's side, "Just like that. With your other hand atop your gun..." He positioned my hand again, "Make an 'o'..." He followed with the rest of my name in romanji, "There. That's it. Just practice, and don't worry if you screw up." His kind eyes met mine, "That you wanted to learn, that's what counts."

"Thanks, Koda-kun. And thank you for asking me to come meet your dad. I love the ocean."

His eyes were bright as he led me toward the doors. I practiced as we were passed through security and Koda led me toward a man that didn't remind me of Koda-kun at all. He had a full head of bushy black hair, and eyes shadowed by rimless glasses. He smiled and shook hands with everyone around him, a slim gentleman interpreting all the while.

"Dad?" Koda-kun signed and his father bestowed the exact same smile Koda had given when I asked to learn. He signed, and the translator looked away, drinking deeply from a bottled water. "Please meet my friend."

"Hi." I made the signs with care, and Koda-san watched me with interest, "My name is Ochaco."

He signed back slowly, and Koda-kun took up the thread, "I'm glad you could come, Ochaco-chan. Please enjoy the exhibit."

"Thank you, I will." I gave him a smile, and the older man who smiled just the same as Koda smiled back.

He signed again to Koda, making his son blush, so I decided to not ask. Instead, Koda led me away, and we wondered the rooms full of sea life together. After oohing and ahhing over his father's exhibit, we were seated at a table near the back of the room, where we had a truly delicious meal.

The autumn evening was still warm and sunset streaked the city like a sky-sized watercolor as Koda summoned a cab, and we took a ride back to UA. I watched the city go by, a small smile curling my lips as we sat in friendly silence.

Koda signed, his fingers touching his lips as he moved them toward me, "Thank you." His smile lit up the gathering night.

AN/ There IS Japanese sign. And it's way cuter than ASL, but I couldn't find the signs I needed for that. SO. Suspend belief! Thank you to my friend Tasia'sENDLESSDreams who helped make it readable!