Several hours later, Noikari was still recovering, although his treatment was almost over. Only a few patches of torn skin needed to heal, and his face would return to normal.

Momo rested her head on a desk as she tried not to dose off in case Noikari woke up. The female hero had volunteered to stay behind and monitor his condition, more so to reassure herself. That, and it was finally a chance to be alone with the child.

Hearing a groan from the hospital bed, Momo turned in shock as she saw Noikari's eyes slowly flutter open, the last sinews of his damaged skin reattaching themselves. As the child returned to the land of consciousness, he remembered everything about the training.

"The fight. . where's Bakugo?"

Momo put a gentle hand on the child's forehead. "Don't worry, he's alright. Just some small cuts and bruises, but he's doing alright."

Noikari sighed in relief as Momo's words reassured him. He didn't know why, but he felt strange. Her words soothed him. Why? He did not know, but her mere presence was enough to convince the child that everything would be okay. Mustering the strength he could, Noikari smiled warmly at Momo.

"Thanks, Yaoyorozu. I really appreciate your help"

Momo's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the name. It was a long time since she had heard it spoken in that way. "Oh, it's no problem at all, Noikari. What are friends for?"

Friends. The word perplexed him. Sure, everyone here had been so kind, but no one had truly called him a friend, even if they were. But Momo? She was more than happy to call him a friend, despite everything she knew about him. She didn't see him as just a child whose original purpose was to kill all heroes. No, she saw him as just a child, a child who needed compassion and friendship, and she was giving that to him.

But... maybe she had already given it to him long ago.

Suddenly, the door opened and Aizawa stepped inside, looking down at the two students.

"Alright. It seems Noikari is awake now," he said as he walked towards the bed, with several of Class 1A entering behind him. As Aizawa stood silently, his students began praising Noikari for his incredible performance in the fight with Bakugo, Momo, Todoroki, and Eijiro.

"You all did extremely well," Aizawa added "In particular, Noikari, you were able to hold your own for quite a bit even after your energy decreased, especially considering how you were outnumbered four to one. You're growing remarkably fast. I'm proud of you."

The compliment stunned not only Noikari, but everyone of Class 1A as well. While their teacher would give them praise when it was due, never had he been this eccentric before. This kid was truly extraordinary, to do something that only Eri had done before.

Aizawa thought about how similar Noikari was to Eri. Both came from a similar past, originally meant to be used to put an end to heroes, but now they were helping them. Despite their trauma, these children have been able to push past it and live to the fullest. They had grown into strong individuals, despite their traumatic experience, and they would make great heroes someday. He looked at Noikari, who was currently blushing in embarrassment as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"When you're feeling better, I'd like you to return to class, Noikari. Take care." Aizawa promptly got up and left to allow Noikari to rest, the rest of Class 1A following suit, all wishing the child a swift recovery, even Bakugo.

Although, there was one student who stayed behind with Noikari, if only to comfort him, to bring him some needed happiness.

Momo.

Shortly after recovering from the training battle with Bakugo and the others, Noikari was allowed his own dormroom.

Noikari woke up alone in his bed. His room was completely empty aside from himself.

Not wanting to waste any more time, the purple-haired child quickly changed clothes and headed out, walking to Class 1A.

Upon entering, several students, including Momo, greeted him.

"Good morning Noikari! How are you feeling?"

"Good to see you're recovering."

"Did Recovery Girl fix everything?"

The questions kept coming in rapid succession until it was clear that Noikari would explode if he continued speaking. Luckily for him, Momo stepped in.

"Everyone, let Noikari breathe. He doesn't need us interrogating him." The girls turned their attention onto Noikari, waiting patiently for his reply.

"Uh, yeah. I'm feeling a lot better, thank you. So uhm, what are we planning for today?" Noikari asked.

"Well, it's not like we have anything to do today," replied Hanta, leaning back in his chair as he used his tape to grab a pencil from Bakugo's desk, much to the blonde's chagrin.

"Hmm. . ." Momo thought to herself as she tried thinking of something to pass the time.

"Ah, I know!"

Spinning around happily, Momo spoke to Noikari.

"Mina, Kyoka and I were gonna have a girl's day out. You should come with us, Noi!"

As the three girls began packing up ther things, Momo grabbed Noikari's wrist and pulled him along with the rest of the group.

"Wait, wait. Wait!" Noikari yelled desperately, trying to pull his arm away, while trying not to look like a madman being dragged along by his classmates.

The rest of the class simply watched in amusement as the four left.

Mineta sighed "Ahhh, what I wouldn't give to be in his position, spending my day with those hot girls." His perverse comment promptly rewarded him with a slap to the back of the neck, courtesy of Tsuyu.

Momo, Kyoka, Mina, and Noikari eventually arrived at the mall. The girls immediately began searching for outfits, leaving Noikari standing awkwardly by as the others argued loudly.

"It's just a shopping trip, Noikari," said Momo as she finished selecting her outfit. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, right?"

"Yeah, don't worry!"

"Please try on our outfits please~"

After receiving multiple requests, the child finally agreed, rubbing his temple in annoyance. "Well. . I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it on."

Noikari entered the changing room, closing the door behind him, as his classmates stared eagerly from outside.

They waited impatiently for the boy to emerge.

After about ten minutes had passed, the door swung open revealing Noikari clad in the girls' clothing. . .

𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦

"Hey guys!"

Kaminari ran into the room with his phone. He saw Bakugo and Eijiro fighting over a slice of pizza while Deku, Shoji and Mineta were talking about their last patrols. As the electrifying hero walked in, they each turned and stopped what they were doing, curious to know what he needed.

"The girls posted a picture of their day with Noikari. Wanna take a look?"

The heroes gathered around Kaminari as he pulled up the picture.

What they saw was. . . interesting, to say the least.

Somehow, the girl's must have convinced Noikari to wear girls' clothing.

The boys of Class 1A looked at the photo with mixes of confusion, disbelief, and a little bit of pity for Noikari.

"I want to never see that again." Bakugo proclaimed.

"I think we all need to be thankful that he took the fall for us, otherwise that would've been one of us dressed like that." added Eijiro. They all nodded in agreement before going back to their previous activities, also trying to not let the picture linger in their minds for too long.

𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘕𝘰𝘪𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘪 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴.

The three girls squealed as Noikari walked out, cheeks almost the same shade of the clothing he was wearing. It was too cute.

"Wow, it looks really good on you, Noikari! You look so handsome!" Mina exclaimed. The boy flushed brightly red at the compliments, his hands fumbling with the hem of his shirt, not believing how much he actually enjoyed the attention he was getting.

Kyoka, meanwhile, seemed to have other plans for the boy. When Noikari noticed her gaze, she smiled softly.

"Come here," she muttered and held out her hand. "Let me take a picture of you."

The small boy hesitated, unsure why she wanted to photograph him in such a way. However, he complied anyway and followed her request, taking the selfie with her. He then handed her back her phone, giving her a shy smile, as she sent the picture off to her friends.

He then suddenly felt his face grow warm again. He hadn't realized that he had been smiling this whole time. His cheeks heated up as he began to blush once more. This made the girls giggle.

"Don't mind us Noikari," Mina told him sweetly "We're just glad to see you feeling better." She patted his shoulder gently, causing him to flinch in surprise as his face became more pinker.

"Uwahh! Look at this adorable reaction!" Mina giggled even louder as Noikari began to panic. What was she supposed to do with that information?! It didn't help that he could feel his heart beating faster than ever before. It was so painful.

As Mina basked in Noikari's lovable reactions, she noticed Momo hanging back, a slight look of sadness evident on her face. Putting the pieces together, Mina turned to Kyoka and nodded, the earphone hero recognizing what she was saying. The two could tell that Momo wanted to be alone with him.

With one final glance in Noikari's direction, the two girls left the shop, leaving Noikari alone with Momo.

"Umm." Noikari began timidly. "Would you mind if I showed you something?"

Momo blinked before replying. "Um... Yes? That's fine." She wasn't entirely sure what she meant by 'show her something' but decided to play it by ear.

Without another word, Noikari tugged on Momo's sleeve before leaving the mall, with it now being dark outside. They had spent more time at the mall then they thought. Eventually, Noikari brought Momo back to U.A. High School. Another short walk and Noikari brought Momo to a field, the same one where he had seen the Moon before on his first night here.

"So. . why are we here?" Momo asked, confused.

Noikari began explaining. "Do you remember when I first came here?" Momo nodded.

"When I first woke up after I first awakened my quirk, I came here to relax. When I came outside, the Moon was full. When I was tortured, used as an experiment, it was the Moon that always gave me the strength to push forward, always reassuring me that I would be free one day. Evidently, it was right."

A few stray tears left the child's eyes, before softly chuckling to himself, wiping them away.

"Sorry, that must've been boring to listen too. Let's change the subject-"

As he turned back to face Momo, he was shocked when she embraced him warmly, tears streaming down her face.

"You're very brave to be able to put yourself through all those horrible experiences you went through. It makes me incredibly grateful to know someone like you exists, and I can never repay you for what you've done for me. Thank you, Noikari." Momo hugged him tightly as he stood there.

Noikari couldn't hold it in, and everything he had held in for the past few weeks came rushing out. He sobbed into her chest, allowing all of his sadness to finally be released.

The two stayed wrapped up in each other, neither wanting to move or break apart. They just enjoyed each other's company for a moment, until Noikari spoke.

"I'm scared..."

Momo lifted her head slightly to look at him. "Scared of what?"

"Of what I could've been. If it wasn't for All-Might and the others saving me, then I'd. . ." Noikari choked as the mere thought of what could've been tore apart his mind. "I wouldn't be here now..." He trailed off.

Momo placed a finger under his chin, raising it up so that he was looking at her. She brushed aside some stray hair that had fallen over his eyes before speaking.

"You have nothing to be scared of, Noikari. You deserve to be happy. And I promise you that you will be. You'll find your happiness, no matter what happens. I believe in you."

Noikari sniffled, wiping away the remaining tears from his eyes. "Thank you, Momo."

"Anytime."

Noikari's face suddenly brightened. "Anyways, now I can show you what I wanted to."

"What did you want to show me?"

Noikari pointed behind him at the Moon, it's luminance shining over the darkened field. He walked away from Momo to put some distance between them, and once more began to dance like he had on that fateful night.

This time, however, he didn't stop when he reached the center. He continued dancing as he moved in circles around Momo until, in less than ten seconds he was standing right in front of her, looking straight into her eyes as he slowly extended his hand towards her.

"Care to join?"

Momo accepted his hand and placed hers in his palm. As soon as she had placed her hand in his, his own hand glowed blue as he guided her in a slow waltz. He smiled as he began to sway them side to side, keeping eye contact with Momo the entire time. Despite his smaller size, Noikari was the one to take the lead.

It only got worse as Noikari spun Momo around and around, twirling her in circles. Soon enough, she lost track of who was spinning whom. She found herself giggling and laughing alongside her newfound friend. Noi's expression turned gentle as he watched her laugh with delight and joy.

To finish it off, the child swung Momo down and held her close, their faces being mere inches from each other. They both had smiles which held something more than just friendship. They gazed deeply into each other's eyes as they kept dancing. Their hearts beat faster and harder as they were both filled with glee. Eventually, the dance culminated when Noikari dipped Momo downwards, bringing himself forwards so that their faces were mere inches away. For a moment, the two simply gazed with star-filled eyes at each other, enjoying the others company.

All of the sudden, Noikari blinked twice, shaking his head in confusion before realizing what he did. Straightening Momo back up, Noikari's cheeks flashed a bright shade of red, Momo's doing the same. Both of their cheeks were now redder than tomatoes, both unable to look at each other. The sound of clapping made the two turn to see Kyoka and Mina standing there with wide grins plastered across their faces.

Mina started giggling hysterically while Kyoka let loose a loud laughter. Noikari's cheeks grew even redder as he looked anywhere except at the other two. It seemed that even without trying, he managed to embarrass himself yet again.

Kyoka and Mina finally stopped laughing as they saw the pair on the ground staring at the ground.

"That was amazing!" Mina exclaimed.

"Yeah! And you danced so well together!" Kyoka praised the two, earning nods of agreement from the duo.

"Wait, how you have you two been following us?" asked Momo.

"Oh, ever since you two left the mall."

Noikari nearly fell over in shock. He stammered "W-why?"

Kyoka merely smiled and answered, "Because we knew Momo sees you like a brother and she wanted to spend some time with you." Noikari nearly fell over from sheer shock, turning to look up at Momo, whose cheeks looked like they were ready to burst with how red they were. Why did she care for him so much? What had he done that made her feel so inclined to help him?

But still, if Momo felt that way about him, then it wasn't possible to hide his own feelings for her. Looking down at the child, Momo gently grasped Noikari's hand in her own.

"Can you guys keep this a secret?"

Mina and Kyoka both nodded yes.

"Thank you, guys."