I knocked on the door to Recovery Girl's office. "Come in!" I turned the knob and entered, closing the door behind me. Recovery Girl was working away on her computer, her cane leaning against the desk beside her. She turned to eye me over her shoulder. "Ah! Makoto – come in and have a seat. Is everything alright?"

I shook my head, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I've been having more issues with my quirk's repercussions. During class earlier – I coughed up blood." I swallowed, staring at my feet. "At the boot camp, I did have another episode with my lungs. I couldn't breathe."

Recovery Girl stopped working and turned in her seat to face me. "Let's run more tests and see what's happening." I nodded, watching as she gathered her supplies. Recovery Girl took a few vials of my blood and measured my lung capacity again. "Your lungs are working at eighty-seven per cent – down another five per cent. I want you to double your dose. Come to me immediately if anything changes. I'll also get us booked in for some testing at the hospital – get a scan of those lungs too."

I nodded, standing up from the bed, "thank you." She handed me a new bottle of medication before ushering me out. I turned, put the medication into my bookbag, and exited her office. My lungs had decreased in function by eight per cent. I bit my lip and exited the school. What would happen if my lung function decreased too much? What if my lungs ceased to function? I walked along the cement path toward the dorms. I needed to figure out what was happening to me and why my quirk was backlashing against my lungs. Sure, I had my provisional license now, but I needed to become stronger for the next time the League of Villains attacked. Now that Akari was with them – I would be the only one who could take her on.

My heart stalled. Right. Mom was part of the League as well. How had she kept the fact that she was alive secret all this time? When and how did Akari find out she was alive? I had always said that I wanted to be a hero like Mom – but now I understood why Death Wish had laughed at that statement. He knew that Milky Way was a villain.

"Are you okay?" My gaze snapped up from the wooden stairs of the dormitory to Katsuki's red eyes. He held a broom mid-sweep as he looked me over. "You didn't come back with the rest of the class."

"Uh. Y-yeah, I'm good. I just had to check in with Recovery Girl." I readjusted my bag on my hip and joined Katsuki on the porch. "You'll be back in class tomorrow, though."

"Don't change the subject," he sighed, examining my face.

"I'm fine, just got a new bottle of my medication, was all." I lifted the flap just enough for Katsuki to see the white pill bottle. His shoulders loosened. "I'll see you later? I'm going to get changed." He nodded, resuming his sweeping. I entered the dorm and made my way up the elevator and to my room. I set my bookbag down and stripped out of my uniform, hanging it up for school tomorrow. I changed into grey shorts and pulled on a large T-shirt. I sat down at my desk and studied until Uraraka texted me for dinner. It had been her, Sato's, and Kaminari's turn to cook for everyone. I sat with Kirishima, Mina, and Katsuki for dinner.

"Good, you're all still here," Aizawa entered the living space. "Tokoyami – you have a work-study offer from Hawks, do you wish to accept?" Aizawa shoved his hands into his pockets as his head lulled towards Tokoyami. No way. Hawks was already extending an offer? My chest felt heavy – had he been joking about extending me an offer as well?

He nodded, "I accept."

"Alright. I'll get you the relevant paperwork. Let me know when you're expected in Kyushu, and I'll sign off on your absences." Aizawa's head lulled back to centre. "Uraraka and Asui – Hadeo's asked to see you at the third-year dorms tomorrow. Kirishima, Amajiki's asked for you while Mirio's asked for Satoshi." I straightened as I watched out teacher leave once more.

"Work study," Katsuki asked me under his breath. "What the hell have I missed?" His breath hit my ear, and a chill shot across my skin.

Kirishima grabbed my hand from across the table and pulled me to my feet, "let's go see what they want! I can't wait until tomorrow." He ran with me at his heels out of our dorm. Thankfully I was able to keep with him – damn Redemption. We made it to the third year's dorm and rushed into the living space of their hero course class one. "We're here to see Amajiki and Mirio!"

"They're up in their rooms. Amajiki's on the third floor and Mirio's on the fourth," a male classmate answered, pulling a cup of ramen from the microwave when it sounded.

"Thank you!" Kirishima smiled as he pulled me to the elevator. "What do you think they want?"

I shrugged. "We'll find out soon enough."

"I'll see you out front after? This is exciting!" The elevator opened on the third floor, and Kirishima rushed out, looking at each door for Amajiki's. The doors closed again, and I swallowed hard. What did Mirio want? Had he seen the blood I had coughed up earlier? The doors opened, and I walked out onto the fourth floor. Mirio's door was the first on the floor. I took in a deep breath and knocked.

Mirio answered the door after a moment. "Aizawa said you wanted to speak with me?"

He beamed, "Yeah! It was Togata cool how you held your own against me earlier. I'd love to introduce you to Sir tomorrow; he'll have to take you for a work-study after he sees that you can do."

"Work study?" I gawked as Mirio nodded excitedly. "Really?"

"Yeah! Aizawa'll have the paperwork needed for Sir to sign. You'll end up missing some classes, of course – but you'll get paid for it." Mirio gave me a thumbs up, "what do you think?"

"T-thank you, Mirio," I smiled, "I'd love to meet Sir tomorrow."

"Excellent! I'll pick you up at seven in front of your dorm. It's about an hour by train to Sir's agency." Mirio took out his phone and quickly exchanged our numbers. "See you tomorrow!" I gave him a wave as he closed his door, and I entered the elevator again. Kirishima was already waiting outside for me.

"Amajiki wants to introduce me to Fat Gum!" Kirishima smiled, walking backwards back to our dormitory. "Did Mirio want to do the same?"

I nodded. "He's going to take me to see Sir tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? You're lucky, I gotta wait until the weekend."

"You just have to get through tomorrow."

"I know. But it'll be the only thing on my mind tomorrow now. You've gotta text Bakugo and let us know how your work-study is going."

Aizawa walked lazily along the sidewalk toward us. "Couldn't wait until the morning?"

"Uhm, Aizawa." I bit my lip. "Mirio would like to take me to meet Sir tomorrow. Could I please be excused from class?"

He nodded. "I'll leave the paperwork in your mailbox tonight. Kirishima – I'll see you in class tomorrow." Kirishima rubbed the back of his head uneasily.

"Thank you." I bowed my head slightly to Aizawa before he continued to walk past us. Kirishima and I returned to our own dorm – the rest of the class had cleaned up the dishes already. I bid Kirishima a good night and entered the elevator for the women's side of the dorm. I sighed, exiting on my floor and entering my room. I took the hair tie on my wrist and pulled my hair up into a high ponytail, pulling my duffle out of the closet. I had no idea how long we would be away from UA. I pulled my phone out of my shorts pocket and texted Mirio. He responded back quickly – we'd be there for two days if Sir accepted me as a work-study. I swallowed hard as I put my phone away. I would wear my uniform to his office tomorrow, I would need to suit as well, pyjamas, and a change or two of clothes just in case. I rubbed my face before taking my clothes off the hangers and rolling them up to place in my bag. I would also miss class tomorrow, so I grabbed a few textbooks I needed to study and my notebook. A knock sounded at my door. I dropped my pencil case on top of the bag and moved to open my door. Katsuki stood on the other side, hands in the pockets of his black sweats.

"Who is he, and what'd he want?" Katsuki entered my room and stared at my half-packed bag.

"Mirio invited me to come to his work-study with him tomorrow. He's going to recommend me to intern there as well." I answered, holding my elbow. "In class today, Aizawa invited Mirio and two other third-years to talk about their work studies. We're eligible to participate under a pro-hero who's taken a lot of interns before."

I watched as Katsuki's chest fell and the corners of his mouth turned downward. "So, you're not going to be in class tomorrow?" I shook my head. "How long are you gone for?"

I half shrugged, "two days if he takes me on. I'll be back sooner if he doesn't."

"He'll take you. If he's smart, that is." Katsuki let out a rush of air. "Who is it anyway?"

"Mirio called him Sir." I moved my bag off the bed and offered for him to sit down.

"There's supposed to be a meteor shower tonight," Katsuki made his way to my balcony's door and opened it, stepping barefoot onto the landing.

I perked up, following him out, "I almost forgot about that! I hope we get to see some." I reached back into my bedroom and turned off the lights to decrease the light pollution. I turned back and paused, watching as Katsuki leaned over the railing. He gazed up at the sky and let his weight rest on his elbows. I licked my lips and stood beside Katsuki, placing my hands on the railing – my pinky just touching his elbow. Katsuki coughed and moved his gaze to the forest. We stood in silence for a long while. Why did he want to watch the meteor shower with me? My heart skipped as a warmth spread out from my chest. I stared at my hands. Katsuki had always gone out of his way to spend time with me, even when I was scared. He never saw me as the daughter of a villain. He always saw me as my own person. Why was he spending all this time with me of all people. "Hey, Katsuki. Could you ask me that question again?"

"Which one?" He kept his gaze out toward the forest.

"…from the boot camp." I turned to look up at the sky. The stars twinkle above. A meteor shot across the sky. My stomach jumped into my chest. The shower had started. I turned to look at Katsuki – to have him look at the sky with me instead of the forest. I froze as Katsuki's lips locked with mine. His eyes were closed, and his lips stayed still against mine. I had heard him correctly, after all. I closed my eyes as well and kissed back. I felt him smile against my lips as he pushed back against me. His body shifted towards me, and his hands cupped my face to deepen the kiss. My skin felt hot where he touched it. His lips were like lava against mine. I took my hands off the railing and rested them against his chest. He was right in front of me, kissing me. We pulled away from one another, breathing heavily. I gently touched my lips with a finger; they were vibrating. The sky lit up behind Katsuki's smiling face with hundreds of shooting stars. "W-why?"

Katsuki smiled down at me, a touch of colour on his cheeks. "Because I like you, Makoto." I took a small step backwards with my right leg without leaving his touch. "Makoto?"

I was speechless. Katsuki kissed me – and I kissed him back instead of running away. But now, here I was, speechless to tell him that I liked him back. I looked down at our bare feet on the balcony. Katsuki tensed up, his fingers lifting off my skin. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling myself into his body, hiding my blushing face in his chest. "I like you too." His arms wrapped around me tightly, his lips leaving a kiss on the top of my head.

"I had planned another confession, but you beat me to it," Katsuki sighed.

I pulled back just enough to look up at Katsuki's face – his blush deepening. "What?"

He licked his lips and eyed the sky as the meteor shower continued to streak across the sky. "Yeah. I was hoping to confess properly this time."

"This time?" I gawked. Katsuki had confessed to me before, and I never knew.

"Forget about it." Katsuki snapped, his face a deep red. "You obviously heard me the last time."

My breath caught in my throat, "I-I thought I was hearing things I wanted to hear." He shook his head, chuckling. "What?"

"I should have asked you again instead of changing it. We're missing the shower." Katsuki looked up to the sky. I stayed in his embrace and watched the rest of the shoot stars sprint across the sky.