Disclaimer: I do not own Boku no Hero Academia.

Ayame did not find it odd when Todoroki ate with them during lunch. She was surrounded by 1-A classmates and her own friends. After his sudden 'rescue' from Noeru, they opt to quietly each lunch together with their rowdy classmates.

Ayame did not find it odd when she saw Todoroki waiting by the entrance of the school building again, one hand shoved in his pocket and face expressionless as he watched the clouds drift by. A part of her had believed he was waiting for her again yet the rational part of her told her she was overthinking again.

Until Todoroki really did begin to walk with her out of school.

"I'm picking up the higashi," Todoroki explained in the simplest manner.

Ayame nearly hit herself.

"Oh—yeah!"

She really did overestimate herself for assuming he was waiting for her just cause.

It still does not stop the way Ayame's heart sped up initially in the beginning.

And so, the two walked side by side once more. It wasn't as awkward as Ayame thought it would be. Todoroki, at this point, had walked with her plenty of times before and wasn't rejecting her. It only made her…curious at how often this had happened. Where he had once before refused to acknowledge her, Todoroki was now the one waiting for her.

It was ironic no matter how often Ayame thought about it.

But, she didn't dislike it.

"How are your injuries, senpai?" Todoroki was the one to start off the conversation. Ayame was more amused with the fact that he had been initiating the conversation more often.

"I took a trip to Recovery Girl at lunch," Ayame answered reassuringly, hands clasped behind her back to prevent them from swaying. "She said it will heal in a few more days."

Only the remnants of fatigue still remained and Ayame planned on sleeping early regardless. Although effective, Recovery Girl's Quirk often left her feeling weary and drowsy.

"What about you?" Ayame glanced at his bandaged arm.

"A minor wound," Todoroki shrugged it off. He was the one least injured out of all of them. "It will heal."

Ayame smiled and said nothing more.

The train was quiet as before. They managed to find seats for themselves and the silence of the machinery was beginning to lull her to sleep. It might have been because the injury was concentrated on her head this time that made her feel lethargic. Ayame did sleep a little too much the past few days and was slowly easing back to school life.

Todoroki noticed her silently dozing off but did nothing. She deserved to get some rest anyways. Even if Ayame did fall asleep, he will wake her up for their stop.

What he didn't expect, however, was for the fall of her head to land on his shoulder.

Todoroki tensed but did not move.

He wished she would keep her guard up more.

It can never be completely safe to fall asleep in the train. There was a chance for her to miss a stop, a chance for a robbery, and it was never safe for a girl in general. Not only that, Ayame had fallen on his shoulder; what if it was someone else instead?

For all that Todoroki can reprimand her in his mind; he said none of it out loud. He also made sure for any wandering eyes to stare back just as forwardly, as if daring them to look at the brunette with curiosity or envy. Most would look away after a glance but some took a quick second peek.

Todoroki wished the train ride would go faster.

Although their train commute was not long, given around ten minutes normally, it does not stop him from feeling that the ride was especially longer than usual. The pressure on his shoulder wasn't heavy but—just enough to poke at his consciousness that Ayame was sleeping. Todoroki felt his hand too stiff to move and the back of his neck a little rigid.

But, he still did not move. Todoroki put up with the way his body betrayed his comfort and convinced himself it was because he was tired himself.

Not because of the girl currently resting on his shoulder. Not because Ayame had done the same before but—was on his back rather than by his side. Not because she had whispered words of regret or the way his name left on her lips lingered in his ear even minutes after. It was definitely not because of Ayame.

When the electronic voice finally, finally, announced their arrival station, Ayame stirred.

She blinked the blurry vision from lilac eyes, lifting her head and hand to wipe away the sleep. All of Todoroki's previous musing disappeared as he stood up and carefully took her free hand, leading her out of the train in case she cannot keep up due to her drowsiness.

It wasn't until they left the train station and walked within the city did Ayame realize his hand was still holding hers. She blinked at the way Todoroki held her carefully, almost naturally from all the previous instances, and wondered if he even realized what he was doing.

She fought back another blush and shook those thoughts from mind. Gently, Ayame took her own hand back, causing mismatched eyes to glance at her once before shoving the same hand back into his pocket to rid the empty feeling without it.

They walked in silence. Ayame does not talk as often as others believed. Usually, she would be absorbed in one thing or another, often left in her own world if alone. Most of her walks home was alone. Occasionally, she would stop by the convenience store for a drink or comic and other times, she would wander around the neighborhood to see the stray cats.

As of right now, Todoroki noticed her to be quiet yet observant around her. Just like how she would whisper excitedly to her sister in Hosu City about one shop or another, Ayame was walking through the familiar street with the same light in her eyes. It could be because the nearby café was going to introduce a new drink sometime next week for her excitement. Or, it could be because she saw a cute outfit someone wore walk past her. She kept to herself, believe it or not, and made no indication to interrupt their peace.

The busy city soon changed to a quaint neighborhood. Ayame hadn't realized until now that Todoroki basically…led them. Although they were walking side by side, he was the one to walk through the streets without guidance. If she hadn't known this was only the second time he went over to her house, Ayame would have thought he was a local here.

At that time, a small mewl came from the wall to their right. Ayame blink at the sound and Todoroki glanced at it but quickly, excitement flashed by her face as she figured out the cause. Without hesitation, Ayame grasped Todoroki's hand to drag him further ahead and made a right.

"They're here!"

Todoroki blinked at her sudden charge but followed nonetheless. There were bushes in their view through a small crack between the walls of the houses. Ayame let go and kneeled down, humming quietly to the bushes as Todoroki watched silently behind.

"The stray cat around recently had kittens. I've only seen them a few times the past month and it's been two weeks since I've last seen them! I wonder how much they've grown!" Ayame explained with visible excitement but quickly, she realized her rambling and turned to him with a gasp. "O-oh but—we can go straight home of course—"

"It's fine," Todoroki shrugged and took a step forward. He kneeled down next to Ayame in assurance and held out his left hand. "I don't mind cats."

Her eyes lit up even more at that statement and smiled, turning to the bushes in anticipation. A small head poked out, large green eyes surveying the two humans curiously before short legs stumbled forward. Ayame resisted the gasp at the tiny calico kitten before another one tumbled right after. The kittens were small, just a tad bigger than her hand as it let out another mew. It took all of her willpower to not pick up the kitten then and there.

The first kitten, a white baby with orange and brown patches of fur approached Todoroki first. It sniffed the hand it held out before bumping its furry head onto his palm. Todoroki blinked and his finger tickled the kitten under the chin.

"There's four of them," Ayame counted the little ones staying near the bush. She grinned as another kitten approached her, sniffing her fingers once for approval before jumping onto her lap. Ayame gasped, laughing at how they remember her and petted the kitten with gentle fingers.

Seeing their siblings to welcome the humans, the other two kittens bounced forward. It sniffed both of them cautiously and bumped into their knees but overall, they seemed content with them. Sensing the heat from Todoroki's left side; the two kittens ran and tumbled into his leg for attention.

"They really like you," Ayame giggled, watching one trying to climb onto his leg.

"Ah," Todoroki did seem to be a cat magnet. He remembered a few other times cats had approached him out of their freewill and nuzzling on his left leg. Carefully, he picked up another kitten with orange and black patches on the body, letting it rest on his lap contently while helping the other climb up.

Ayame stared in silent amusement. There was a half smile on Todoroki's lips as he wiggled his fingers around for the kittens, his eyes soft and relaxed as he played with them.

Oh no, Ayame wondered to herself, how cute…

She looked down immediately, forcing the heat from her cheeks and ignored how cute Todoroki looked right now. The kitten on her lap hopped off to join its siblings, jumping on Todoroki's crowded lap while Ayame gasped at the loss. But—once she saw them all bundled up together and rolling around, she couldn't help but soften again at how cute they were.

Ayame stared at them fondly, smiling at the way one of them tried to climb up his arm next. It slowly made its way up and her eyes followed the way the kitten stopped on his shoulder. Lilac met eyes of turquoise and grey suddenly and her breath caught in her throat at the silent—yet deep gaze he held on her.

She hadn't realized she leaned in when Ayame was following the kitten's movement. They weren't at a close distance but—it was close enough to see the way his eyes flicker down—then up again for the briefest second. As for the reason why, Ayame had no clue.

"Ow—"

Ayame winced when she felt her hair tug downwards, both of them snapping out of their daze as she looked at the kitten playing with the ends of her hair. She could not have asked for a better distraction and laughed, focusing her attention back to the tiny feline.

"Why you little," Ayame picked it up, causing the kitten to release her hair from its claws. Large hazel eyes stared back at her curiously and let out a small mew. Ayame's heart nearly melted by its cuteness and she cooed, leaning forward so her nose met the cats'. "You're so cute!"

"Do you have pets, senpai?" Todoroki asked as they returned back to a semblance of calm, mismatched eyes avoiding hers to stare at the two kittens on his lap while helping the kitten off his shoulder.

"No, I wish," Ayame smiled and set her own little kitten back down. It wandered between them and one of its sibling jumped down from Todoroki's lap to tackle it. "Suzume is allergic so we can't keep any furry friends around. I would like one in the future though."

Todoroki hummed in acknowledgement while Ayame continued to watch them play. In the future, she would like to have a cat or two to keep her company when she moves out. Though in reality Ayame would not be leaving her home anytime soon, she often wondered what it would be like to live on her own. If she would be able to sustain herself with her future hero career and if she would stay in Tokyo or leave for another city. The only certain thing she knew would be pets.

A rustling sound came from the bushes and they turned to it curiously, watching another tiny head pop out. Ayame gasped at the white kitten with an orange mark over its left side, looking between the kitten and Todoroki excitedly. They match!

The kitten was nudged forward from the bush and their mother came, stepping out to see her children with the two humans. Ayame cooed again at the cat and held out her hand, smiling as the mother bumped her head against it in familiarity.

"You've been busy, huh?" Ayame giggled at the mother and withdrew her hand to search through her school bag. She pulled out a small piece of leftover rice ball from lunch and offered it to the mother, smiling even more as the cat ate it after one sniff.

"You're prepared," Todoroki couldn't help but comment.

"It's because I've been waiting for them," Ayame grinned cheekily to him. She brought out her phone and took a photo of the mother cleaning herself with a paw. Carefully, she directed the phone over the kittens and took photos of them, smiling whenever they look up at the camera.

The arrival of the new kitten slowly walked in the center of them, wiggling its little tail around at the sight of its sibling before bumping into Todoroki's leg. Ayame gasped and aimed the camera between them.

"Shoto-kun! Pick up the kitty!"

He blinked, wondering why she looked so excited before turning to the cat. Seeing the orange patch over its left eye and ear was enough reason. They look similar.

Making sure the kittens on his lap were stable; he reached over to pick up the calico kitten with both hands. The mother lay down; silently watching yet not worried for her children and licked the one closest to her. Meanwhile, Todoroki held the kitten in front of his face, turning it around so it faced Ayame and looked at her.

"Like this?"

Ayame smiled and nodded her head, not trusting her voice to speak at how utterly cute they both looked. She raised the phone camera up and took a few photos of the two. Todoroki was already good looking and the kitten was absolutely cute. When put together, Ayame couldn't help but think those two were devastatingly adorable.

It's almost unfair, Ayame silently thought again.

The mother cat stood up with a stretch and meowed. Soon, the kittens escaped their grasp and followed their mother back into the bush. Ayame and Todoroki watched them disappear and she sighed at them gone.

"Until next time, neko-chan~" Ayame waved.

"You ready?" Todoroki stood up first and offered a hand to her. Ayame blinked but took it regardless, grasping the warm hand and can understand why the kittens would be attracted to it.

"I'll send you the photos later," Ayame said with a small smile, both continued to the direction of her house.

"Sure," Todoroki returned his hand back into his pocket.

"Ahh, I would like to go to a cat café next time," Ayame sighed dreamily, still missing the tiny fur balls that had rested on her lap earlier.

"There's one on my way home," Todoroki said. He remembers passing by it a few times on his walk back.

"Really?" Ayame asked excitedly. She rarely went to his way of the city before.

"Yeah," Todoroki glanced at her. "I'll take you next time."

Ayame thought she misheard. Her wide lilac eyes stared at his impassive face, trying to see if he was joking with her and yet, Todoroki showed no sign of it. When he says something, he meant it.

"You—will?" Ayame still couldn't help but repeat.

They arrived in front of her house when Ayame asked the question. Todoroki merely nodded as both of them stood outside the gate. Ayame felt too shocked to even register she was home.

"I don't mind," he quietly reassured. The cats were cute anyways, he convinced himself. Todoroki did not mind them climbing over his lap or asking for scratches. They were therapeutic creatures that do not demand for much.

Plus, Ayame seemed to enjoy playing with them.

"O-okay!" Ayame stuttered, mentally cursing how easy it was for to feel flustered around him.

Todoroki spared her a glance, the corner of his lips lifting upward by the pink tinting her cheeks and nodded his head in silent agreement.

"See you tomorrow, Ayame-senpai."

It wasn't until after he left—did Ayame realize—she forgot to give the higashi back to him.

"Okaeri, Shoto!"

Fuyumi's voice welcomed him back home warmly, grey eyes staring at her little brother while the smile on her lips was polite.

"You've been returning home later and later."

Shoto took off his shoes at the doorstep, glancing at his smiling sister once. The sun had barely set and although he took a detour, he still returned home by dinner.

"I've set aside some food for you, are you hungry now? Otou-san is not back yet but you can eat first if you're hungry," Fuyumi continued naturally, used to Shoto's quiet mood.

He paused for a second, knowing that his sister was trying not to pry into his business and knew she was secretly worried for his extended stay outside. It wasn't like he did anything worth mentioning. He only walked his upperclassman home…and completely forgot to retrieve the confectionaries due to his distracted state earlier.

Shoto couldn't help but silently compare the two. He remembered Suzume's happy greeting to Ayame every time she returned. He remembered the warmth of their mother's smile as Ayame said she was back. And, he remembered their conversation and Ayame's optimistic outlook for his own family to become close once more.

"Did you eat, nee-san?"

Fuyumi tried not to gape. This was the first time her youngest brother had asked that of her!

"N-no, not yet."

"Then, let's eat."

Fuyumi tried to contain her joy. A bright smile was on her face as she nodded her head, glasses nearly slipping from the bridge of her nose as she headed to the kitchen.

"Fuyumi-nee," the woman nearly slipped on the polished floor by the call of her name. She turned to Shoto again with wide eyes, watching him slowly walk in. "Tadaima."

The burst of affection and happiness in her heart grew. Fuyumi grinned, resisting the urge to hug her adorable little brother and nodded her head.

"Okaeri, Shoto!"

"You've already said that," he pointed out with a ghost of a smile, causing Fuyumi to blank and laugh off the embarrassment.

The dinner between them was quiet and although it was not often they would share a meal together, Shoto did not mind the silence. Fuyumi had asked a few questions here and there about school and Shoto replied in his usual, simple manner. Although Shoto was quiet, Fuyumi did not mind. There was no tension between them like before and her little brother was not terse like their father.

At least, not anymore.

After dinner, Shoto went to wash up and change into his usual pajamas. He threw the white shirt over his head and adjusted his shorts, a blue towel hanging around his neck as he sat down on the tatami mat. As he rubbed the dripping water from his hair and carefully activated his Flame Quirk to dry the rest, his eyes landed on his phone by the table. He tapped it once, the screen brightening to show no new messages. Shoto locked the phone again and began on his homework.

For the next hour, he worked on the assignments quietly. Shoto tapped his pencil along the wooden table, one hand rested on his chin as he read the question over. Occasionally, his mismatched eyes would land on the still silent phone before he turned his attention back to the paperwork on hand.

Another few minutes passed in the quiet room and Shoto's mind began to wander. He thought back to earlier in the day when he played with the multiple kittens, their mews squeaky and soft, and the sound of an amused laughter echoed in the background. He thought back to the cat café he passed on the way home, wondering what time they would open on the weekends and how much it would cost to visit the 'neko-chan's within.

A buzz vibrated on the table, snapping his thoughts back to reality and the pencil slipped from his fingers. Shoto took his smartphone and unlocked the screen, seeing a message with an attachment as the first notification. A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips as he opened the message, quickly saving the two photos within his phone and his fingers hovered over a reply to the recipient.

It was then Shoto noticed the new profile photo as her avatar. The little circle revealed two tiny calico kittens, wide hazel and green eyes staring at the screen. Another easy smile slipped from his lips as he recognized one of the kittens to be the one matching with him and the other kitten was the first to approach her.

He replied to her with two simple words. Words that weren't exactly enough to describe the light state he was in but it was enough to show he received the message. Briefly, he wondered if he should attempt to pick up the higashi again tomorrow.

"There is one week left until end of term tests," Ume announced in the morning.

Before the students can even adjust back to school, their final exams were around the corner. It was June; the weather turning warmer by the day and students will be changing to the summer uniform soon. The second years had to turn in a separate report for their homeroom teachers regarding their interns and, if their respective agency agrees, then they will return during summer vacation.

Ayame mentally sweated. Not only were her final exams happening in one week, her previous agency won't accept her! Yume had already informed her in the hospital that her agency won't be able to take her in anymore. That means Ayame have to find another hero willing to work with her! Although they would not know her involvement regarding the Hero Killer, Ayame already felt a headache forming trying to research agencies again.

Well, she can worry about that later. Now, she must focus on her own studies!

In 2-A's academic score rating, Ayame was right in the middle. She was not failing per say—but she could also do better. It was just—difficult for her to absorb any information in! She tries to study, really, she does! But lately, it had been hectic with the Sports Festival and the internship happening that Ayame was…slacking off again. But at least this time—it wasn't because she was focused on her anime or video games!

"For this year's exam, we will be doing something a little different," Ume continued with the instructions, glancing down at the paper on hand as everyone quietly waited for her. "Each will have a partner they must work with during the practical examination. I will be the one assigning them—and they can't be changed."

The class whispered amongst themselves with the clue regarding the exam. Last year, they were in teams of three fighting against the giant robots used for their entrance exam. However, since they're already in their second year of U.A., the fighting would probably be more intense than before. Since most of the class already experienced some real hero work, the students were not nervous for this year's test.

And so, Ume began to call out two people's name at a time. Everyone listened off to the teams being announced. There were only eighteen students in 2-A yet as the number went higher, Ayame still haven't heard her name yet.

For some reason…she had a bad feeling for her partner.

"And, for team 9, it will be Sasaki Ayame and Takarada Noeru."

Her jaws dropped opened. Ayame turned her gaze towards the boy sitting in the front but Noeru had no reaction. She opened her mouth to argue yet Ume had said their partners can't be changed. Ayame really wanted to know—what were the credentials in partners then?!

"Oh no," Ayame groaned to herself, her head falling onto the metal table in discontent. "I'm going to fail."

Hotaru smiled helplessly to her friend to her right.

As the bell for lunch rang, Ayame quickly hopped up to chase after Ume. Even if she said they couldn't change partners, she had to try—right?!

"Soharu-sensei!"

The woman turned around, looking at the taller girl gasping for breath as Ayame brushed her hair back. She straightened up and looked at her hopefully, clasping her hands together.

"I-I think there was a mistake. My partner—isn't Takarada, right?" Ayame asked with a nervous smile.

"Oh, there's no mistake," Ume returned the smile with one of her own professional one, "You and Takarada-san are partners for the final exam. As I said before, your partners can't be changed."

Ayame gaped. Did her teacher forget what happened during the grand finals for the Sports Festival?! Sure—she and Takarada weren't as hostile anymore but—being in his presence was simply nerve-wrecking!

"But why?!" Ayame blurted out.

Because they have the worst chemistry in class even after one year together. But Ume did not say that out loud, keeping the polite smile on her lips as she patted Ayame's arm comfortingly.

"You can't be a successful hero if you cannot work well with others," Ume advised, "This is very crucial to your education. As so, Aizawa-sensei and I agreed to pause your assistant work for the time being so you can study for the finals and the upcoming tests."

Well, at least there was that little saving grace. But, Ayame was still disappointed. She—had to work with—Takarada?!

Ume left when Ayame had no more questions, leaving the brunette in the hall to ponder her options. They still do not know what their final exam would be. If their partnership was notified one week in advance…then they can't afford to avoid each other.

Ayame spun on her heels and headed towards the cafeteria, trying to look for the Takarada heir with his sparkling hair and tall structure. She found him walking towards one of the table and quickly, Ayame ran over before she lost him in the crowd, grabbing onto the edge of his sleeve and tugged him back.

"Takarada!"

Noeru moved his hand instinctively, glancing back to see the brunette holding on. A frown was on his lips as he raised the hand in her grasp, a silent indication for her to let go.

"You heard Soharu-sensei in class, right?" But Ayame continued on without taking the hint, looking into crystal eyes seriously. "We're—partners. I think for this week—we should try to get along with each other."

Noeru nearly scoffed. Why would he want to get along with her? Ayame was already lucky he's not antagonizing her any longer. Noeru was content with going back to ignoring her. If Yuu wanted to be friends, that's his issue. If Noeru happened to be with Yuu when they interact, he won't purposely provoke her. Isn't that good enough already?

"We don't need to get along, Sasaki," Noeru rejected. "As long as you don't get in my way, we will pass."

Her eyebrows furrowed in restrained anger. Damn Takarada. He was still haughty as before!

"Did you forget? I beat you in the Sports Festival! I can hold my own!"

Ayame was nearly screaming in the cafeteria now, catching the nearby student's attention as she argued with Noeru. Off on the side, Yuu watched from his table with one hand propped on his chin as if he were watching a television series. Another few tables down, the students from 1-A watched their upperclassmen fight.

Noeru glared but said nothing. He may be prideful in his abilities but Ayame winning was something he tried to brush from his mind. Lately, he found himself thinking about her a little too much. It was not in the previous sense of loathing and disappointment but rather—a new outlook at this fiery girl who was not afraid to challenge him.

And, because of that, Noeru thought the best plan would be going back to ignore her. He does not want to ponder over her any longer. He does not want to understand why he disliked the view of the bandages around her head. Dislike the way his stomach fluttered at the sight of her with those 1-A kids. And despite all of his logical actions and plans to disregard her, they still end up in each other's company.

"Look, if Soharu-sensei announced the teams this early—isn't it because the final exams planned for us would require teamwork?" Ayame explained rationally, calming down to speak with him since Noeru was not making way to leave. "I'm not asking us to suddenly be best friends. But, it would be nice if you can acknowledge me for once."

He stayed quiet. Ayame refused to budge on the subject and Noeru rolled over her words in his mind. Maybe—this would be the beginning of his school life. A second chance to be…involved with his classmates.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw the half-and-half boy standing up from his seat. The uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach knotted itself around as Noeru saw her lilac eyes slowly turn away.

The irritation was back on full force. The desire to almost accept was gone. Noeru jerked his sleeve away from her grasp, causing Ayame to turn back to him in surprise as he glared down at her.

"Then tell me, what did you say to my father? If you want to work with me, I expect no secrets."

Ayame gaped again. He was bringing that up now?!

"It—It was nothing!" Ayame barely squeaked out.

His crystal eyes narrowed more at her flustered expression.

"You're lying again, Sasaki."

Ayame clenched her hands. This boy—he's so unreasonable! She's actually trying to do him a favor and yet—he's still rejecting her!

"I give up!" Ayame was exasperated; what was the point in her trying if they always end up arguing? "Come find me when you decide to descend from your throne and learn how to be civil!"

Ayame turned to walk away, not bothering to speak with him any longer. Noeru stared at her retreating back, unrelenting with his decision before—his eyes met grey and turquoise. With a small tilt of his chin, Noeru returned back the challenge to him just as persistent.

As for what the challenge was exactly, neither seemed to know.

Since Ayame was not required to help Aizawa for the next two weeks, she focused on her studies rather than visiting class 1-A. Hotaru was more than welcomed to help Ayame study, nearly bringing the brunette to tears by her friend's consideration and worked just as hard.

What she didn't expect, however, was for Shimizu Yuu to join them on the little study session.

"Well, it's because we're partners," Yuu smiled at Hotaru in his usual princely smile.

Ayame didn't believe that to be the only excuse but kept to herself. Yuu had returned back to his elegant kind self but sometimes, Ayame could see the teasing in his eyes as he regard her. Not many others knew of Yuu's dual personality and Ayame wasn't going to be the one to point it out. Yuu was a great actor; he can easily dissuade the claims with a smile and eloquent words.

But since Yuu had joined them, many other classmates also seek guidance from the second in their class. Their little group of three suddenly turned into ten but, Ayame wasn't complaining. Everyone was obviously worried about their own grades and it was not like they were terrible on all subjects.

But, it had been a taxing few days already and Noeru still won't approach her.

Time and time again, Ayame thought about apologizing to him first. But even if she did, Ayame felt it was unfair! Why should she be the one to apologize when he was the one being rude?! It was only because she did not want to fail the final exam or else she would have to stay behind for supplementary classes! It left Ayame feeling distressed and annoyed at their class president, often staring—then glaring at him to do something!

Noeru, of course, ignored her.

Ayame groaned, brushing back her tan hair from her face as she walked through the first year's hallway. There's three days left until the written exam and she was simply tired. It wasn't like she slacked off or anything. There were a few minutes left before class began and she was going to see how the students were doing.

"Yo!"

The door opened to reveal Ayame, startling the students within as they stared at their upperclassman. It had been awhile since she visited 1-A and everyone was preoccupied with studying for their own exams. Briefly, Ayame scanned the classroom to see Todoroki missing but—she wasn't about to center on that little detail.

"Morning, senpai!" A few of them had greeted with bright smiles yet tired eyes. Looks like she's not the only one dreading the exams.

"What are you doing here, senpai?" Ochako asked curiously when Ayame hopped in.

"Checking to see if you're as miserable as me," Ayame grinned back when a few others moaned about the upcoming finals.

"Training camp! This is all for the training camp!" Kaminari and Ashido shouted together in determination.

"Yaomomo has been helping us study," Jirou smiled at their tutor, "I think we'll manage."

"It's my pleasure!" Yaoyorozu was enthusiastic before looking down dejectedly. "At least—I was able to help somewhat."

Ayame blinked at her change in mood but she didn't have to do anything when Jirou and Ashido went to cheer her up. She smiled to herself and walked inside, searching through her book bag briefly and pulled out a plastic cover.

"Well, I'm not here for long," Ayame stopped by Midoriya's desk while the younger boy looked at her curiously. "Here, Deku-kun! I saw this and thought of you!"

Midoriya gawked at the All Might book cover, looking at Ayame in a mix of gratitude and uncertainty before the latter won over. He waved his hands around, blushing from the sudden gesture and refusing to take the small present.

"N-no! I-I can't—! Y-you didn't have to—senpai—!" Midoriya fumbled.

Ayame laughed, bright and cheerful just as they remembered and put the cover on his desk. She brought her hands behind her back, a small gesture to refuse any returns, and smiled.

"Don't worry about it! It wasn't expensive. Besides, your notebook is all worn out, right?" Ayame reasoned.

Midoriya's blush grew darker, thinking back to his hero notebook and the ripped cover. Bakugo grew irritated in his own chair for the conversation behind him and turned to glare at the brunette.

"Are you done yet? Leave!"

"Oh, Kacchan, you're always so charming," Ayame rolled her eyes. She looked at Bakugo's annoyed expression and grinned, leaning down slightly to pat his spiky blonde hair. "Did you want a present, too? I didn't see anything to your liking yet but—"

Bakugo slapped her hand away with another glare, shooting out of his seat to wave his fist angrily at her.

"Who wants a present from you?! I'll trash that and then you if you do!"

"How mean!"

The students left Bakugo and Ayame to argue with each other yet it became a normal scene for them. There seemed to never be a dull moment with their upperclassman around; they hadn't realized how used to they were with Ayame. It felt as if she became a part of the class.

At that time, the door to the classroom opened. A few looked towards the entrance before—a stunned silence washed over the class at the student leaning on the door. The only sound in the room was Ayame and Bakugo still arguing pointlessly over presents that doesn't make sense anymore.

"S-s-senpai…!"

"Hold on, Deku-kun," Ayame did not break her glaring contest with Bakugo, "Lemme finish this with Kacchan then—"

"Sasaki."

Ayame gaped, whirling around to see the impassive face of her class president leaning on the open door. Bakugo clicked his tongue and sat back down, ignoring them again with arms crossed over his chest. Meanwhile, the class looked between the two upperclassmen. Some were amused, some confused, and a few were openly admiring the tall frame and clear aristocratic features of the Takarada heir.

"We were supposed to meet at the gym," Noeru stated.

"Oh—!" Ayame snapped out of her shock, but just barely. Ume did mention for the class to meet up in the gym in the morning.

But why was he the one informing her? Her mind was racing with possibilities of Noeru having a change of heart. Was he here to confront her? Here to apologize? Maybe they can finally be proper teammates?

A grin emerged on her lips at that thought as she hopped over to the door. Ayame ignored the teasing looks from a few of the boys, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at the way Kaminari, Sero, and Kirishima was looking at them, and looked behind her to wave at the rest of the class.

"I'll be going now! Good luck on your finals!"

"Have fun, senpai!" The boys snickered behind her.

Noeru did not bother to wait and turned around to leave. Ayame walked a step faster, catching up to him and peering at his emotionless face.

"Oi, Takarada!" Ayame caught his attention, "I know you're not completely heartless. Let's try to be teammates, alright?"

He paused in his steps when Ayame went ahead of him, turning around and offering one hand up to shake. She was smiling at him hopefully and must have reached a ridiculous conclusion if she was this kind to him.

"As soon as you tell me what you've said to my father, then we can," Noeru bargained coolly.

Her hand dropped, mouth opening in shock as he stared down at her. She thought he had changed!

"Why don't you ask him yourself?!" Ayame was really confused; why would be pester her like this instead?

Noeru frowned. He wasn't desperate enough to ask his father that. They were still distant as before but at least, his father would not provoke him into leaving U.A. All because of this girl in front of him.

"Then we have no deal," he did not bother to answer her question.

Ayame fumed. Of course Noeru would be the one to anger her the fastest. There goes her good mood!

"Not even for a day?!" Ayame clenched her hands, "I don't want to fail if we can't work together!"

"We won't fail," Noeru replied in a haughty manner. "As long as you listen to my directions, we won't."

She glared at him this time, causing crystal eyes to return the glare fully. Ayame had already proven her worth to him. She had beaten him fair and square!

"I may have some ideas too, you know," Ayame seethed.

"Like your idea to fight against the Hero Killer yourself?" Noeru hummed. Ayame froze. It wasn't like she was alone! And—he doesn't even know the full story! "Can you create that giant All Might by command? Can guarantee you would not faint after your Quirk overuse?"

Ayame can hear his accusations even if he does not say it clearly. Noeru doesn't trust her. Simple as that. No matter how much she had improved, in his eyes, she was still the same girl he met during their entrance exam.

"You're impossible," Ayame glared; she has no reason to argue with him any longer if he continued to point out her past. "I was really hoping we could be…teammates if not friends." Ayame turned around to walk away. "Guess I was too optimistic."

Noeru stared at her back, an itch rubbing itself in his stomach at her quiet murmur. He does not want to get close to her yet he called out to her as soon as he saw her in 1-A. Noeru wanted to ignore her and yet was always aware of her stares. His goal to be in U.A. was to become number one; to become a hero. Now that the restrictions were lifted from his shoulders; Noeru does not know how to be anything else.

He took a step forward and his hand lifted up, wanting to prove her wrong and try—really try—to apologize. Yet, Noeru couldn't even reach her when that damn half-and-half boy appeared out of nowhere, bringing Ayame's attention to him while Todoroki gave a suspicious glance to the hand in midair—then back to the brunette.

Noeru saw the way his eyes softened just the slightest, greeting her with a slight upturn of his lips while Ayame's bright laugh echoed the hall. She was back to her cheerful self, as if none of their argument even happened. Noeru's hand dropped back to his side quietly only to have it tighten into a fist.

A/N:

Some time skip happened in the middle of the chapter to get to the final exams. I wanna write more cute high school scenes but I'll leave that for their summer break. Noeru and Yuu are back in the picture again with the 2-A finals! The former is obviously there to stir trouble and Yuu is there to look pretty—nojk.

OH! So I did test out writing 'Shoto' in the chapter and how do you guys feel about reading that? I know mostly everyone is referred to their surname in Japan/BnHA but I was just wondering I should stick to it in the later chapters. Sorry for all the train scenes or so! I did go to Tokyo, Japan, awhile back and really enjoyed experiencing life there. A bit of that may have been thrown into this fic ahaha

I've been feeling a bit burnt out writing so much lately; every chapter since ch6 ranges from 7k words to 11k. I think I also need to focus on my other 2 stories as I've been neglecting them in favor of BnHA. I'll still try to update often of course! Reviews would be a huge motivation /winkwink

Visit my Instagram (PrivateCardy) for cute art of my lone AyaSho ship!