Monday wandered around and another video of yours was posted, and you were back to school.

But you had more than your assignments on your mind, more than your father, more than your internship, and much more than the fact that you would be seeing Todoroki for the first time in over a week, after that day in the hospital.

It was starting to look like Lee, your driver, would temporarily (or permanently) leave his job as your butler and chauffeur because his wife developed cancer. How she got it, in this day and age, with the level of technology and healthcare that this era had, you didn't know. But she did. And she wasn't doing well.

That meant that you were going to be the main driver of your family for the next however long it took to either get another driver or get Lee's wife back to full health. Father was often busy and Mother hadn't renewed her license in years. You were the only option left.

Your only issue with the whole ordeal was that the children would have to wake up much earlier than they were used to for you all to get to school on time.

You sighed as you made your way to lunch, trying not to dwell on the past week's stress–let alone the week to come. It was only Monday, you reminded yourself.

You caught sight of Todoroki. He stood with two of his friends. He turned around and saw you walking towards him and you smiled. He wedged his way between them to walk to you.

"Come, sit with us," he offered politely, walking with you.

You blinked. "With whom?"

"Me, Iida, and Midoriya," he said calmly.

You seemed a tad startled by that. "Oh. Alright," you agreed. He didn't really spend a lot of time with people at lunch, other than you. You thought this was odd–but good.

You walked alongside him in silence, the chatter of the students around you prattling in the back of your mind as you tried to take a deep breath and focus on the rest of the day.

"How was your week?" He asked you as you got in line for food.

"Hm?" He broke you out of your train of thought. "Oh. It was fine," you said with a placating smile. "Really. I'm so excited for the internship to continue. I think my new schedule will be coming in this week."

"Hm." He nodded contemplatively. "Interesting. I'm happy for you."

You beamed. "Thank you."

He showed a small smile on his face as well.

"How was your internship?" You asked next. "You know…Aside from…" You didn't want to bring up old memories–bad memories–from the Stain incident.

"I'm thankful for the break," he said, skipping over your comment. "A week nonstop with my father was…" He took a deep sigh. You looked up at him sympathetically. Had he gotten taller since you'd last seen him?

"Was it bad?" You asked, your voice quiet enough for only him to hear your question.

He rolled his eyes. "It was fine."

You pursed your lips. You hoped he was telling the truth and not sparing details just to spare you.

You set your hand on his arm. You didn't say anything else.

He glanced down at you, and you smiled softly, knowingly.

He gave a small smile in return as you moved up in your line. His hand moved to yours. It was cool, and yours was warm. You almost flinched away before relaxing in his firm grip.

You mentally scoffed at your nervous reaction. You're really moving up in life, aren't you, Hanae?

You watched as Todoroki ordered his food and followed Iida-San and Midoriya-San to the table. You noticed another girl with short brown hair–Uraraka-San was her name, you remembered–join the group, chattering this way and that with Midoriya.

You smiled softly at the interaction. Todoroki still had your hand in his. Two other girls walked over with their lunch, complaining about their training. You assumed they were from the Hero course, given they instantly approached the group of them as if they knew them.

Todoroki and you just watched as they talked and laughed. You weren't really surprised that he didn't say much as he chose to sit with the group of friends. You sat next to him and opened your insulated lunch bag, pulling out a bento box with your lunch.

Lifting the lid, you look at the wonderful piece of art you created for yourself. Three onigiri topped with pickled cherry blossoms were your main dish. Resting on a piece of lettuce above it was two slices of tamagoyaki with spicy cod in the middle. Deep-fried crab cream croquette–something your mother discovered on the internet and decided to try that you simply fell in love with–was displayed attractively in the box. Boiled canola and a cherry tomato as a garnish completed your meal.

You closed your eyes and said a silent prayer. You pressed the knuckle of your index finger to your lips, then touched your forehead in a blessing and opened your chopsticks case with practiced ease.

You didn't notice Todoroki looking over until he said something.

"You made that?" He asked, peering as if he wanted some.

You looked up at him and realized two other people sitting near you were observing your handiwork.

"Well, yes," you started, smiling with your eyes. "Kenta wanted bento for his lunch so he could have more energy at school today–so I stayed up late so Mother wouldn't have to–and decided to make myself one as well. Do you want to try some?"

Todoroki seemed startled at that. "Um, only if you want to share," he said as if he wasn't sure how to respond.

"Certainly," you said. "This is crab cream croquette. It's an odd taste, but a good one. I understand it may not be for everyone."

"Okay," he agreed as you transferred a slice of your food to his plate.

"I didn't realize you…made bento like this," he said.

You smiled. "I don't, normally. I've been cooking and cleaning more often, and I've been making bento boxes like this. They're very fun," you said, eating half of your cherry tomato.

He hummed, hesitantly taking a bite of the food you offered him. You moved a strand of your hair behind your ear as you focused on your food before looking back at your fiancé. "Do you like it?"

He gave a slow nod. "It's not bad."

You gave a small smile. "I'll take that as a win."

He huffed a laugh before composing himself.

The same pink-skinned girl you kept seeing around was suddenly standing in front of you. She let out a gasp and got into your personal space. "Oh, my gosh! I think you broke him!"

You leaned back, amused but a little startled. "What do you mean?" You asked.

"He laughed! I swear, this guy's as straight as a stick when it comes to humor, but I think you managed to crack the code." She rolled her eyes, leaning nonchalantly against the table.

You blushed a little under the layer of your clean foundation as you laughed at her tease. You looked up at Todoroki to see he was just as flushed as you.

"By the way, show me the ring." The girl leaned over the table again, her dark sclera and golden irises mesmerizing you. Quirks like hers were something you weren't often around, growing up in a mostly mutant-shaming community.

"I'm sorry, I never caught your name," you segued playfully. "I'm Nazumi Hanae." You held out your left hand to shake–intentionally.

The girl gasped–and Uraraka-San leaned over to look at the ring. They gaped over it, ooh-ed and ahh-ed, glancing up at Todoroki every so and often.

"It's literally so pretty," the pink girl enthused. "By the way, my name's Mina. Pleased to make your acquaintance! Now, Todoroki-Kun." Mina-San looked at Shoto. "With this ring, you doest vow to spoil this princess rotten until the day you die. No excuses or exceptions."

You laughed aloud, caught so off guard by Mina's forwardness and extroversion. You facepalmed as you saw people looking over, and several more classmates of Shoto's you recognized coming over to your table.

"But of course." Of course, Shoto had to make the situation that much worse.

"Oh, Gods," you breathed with a laugh as Mina set your hand down on the table, blushing furiously.

"Oi! Hanazmae!"

You turned to see the blonde that tried to hit on you not a month ago come and trap your means of escape as he leaned against the table. "I see you're more than friends now with the bipolar one." He made a face, and you could only assume it was his attempt at a smolder.

You smiled. "Indeed I am."

"Well damn! What a catch, Todoroki!" He suddenly shouted.

You were literally melting from all the attention. You put your head down on the table and hit it with your arms.

"Please, Mother," you prayed to your Goddess. "If you love me at all. Please help me."

He sat down next to you permanently and you groaned, sitting up and eating some more of your food as you decided to ignore them talking about you while you were right there. Almost all of Shoto's class was gathered at your table, talking and chattering and offering congratulations.

Kirishima-Kun was sitting behind you, talking and laughing, and you engaged in conversation with him at times as well. He turned to Bakugou-San. You couldn't help but feel tense.

"Oi, Bakugou! Aren't you going to come join the festivities?" He asked, a bright grin on his sweet face.

Bakugou-San only glared. At you.

"What for?" He hissed, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Nothing but a bitch getting the attention she doesn't get at home."

With that, he stood aggressively and left the room.

The whole mood of the room shifted. Everyone, including yourself, was so stunned that no one spoke for a moment.

You turned back around to face the table, pursing your lips. Anger and humiliation flooded through you.

"Hey!" Mina shouted. "That was uncalled for, you jerk!" She shouted at him.

"I don't give a shit!" he shouted back.

"You'd better! I'll kick your–" Mina cut herself off, seeing Bakugou-San give a vulgar gesture. She let out a frustrated growl. "That guy is just asking for it!"

"Hey," Uraraka-San said gently. "Are you okay, Hanae-San?"

Your head was bowed. It took everything in you to compose yourself enough to look up. You breathed your tears away and put on a smile. "Yes, of course," you tried to laugh. "I get comments like that all the time, with my career and all. You learn to brush it off."

Except you never did. Not in person–not when they were sitting right in front of you and hated you with every fiber of their being. Not when they remind you so much of your Father's wrath that you're nearly sent careening down a path straight to a panic attack just by hearing their voice.

But you're fine.

You didn't even dare look at Shoto. Even as you saw him tilt his head and look at you, concerned. "Are you alright?" He inquired quietly.

You only nodded. It was all you could do to prevent yourself from divulging into tears that very instant.

Pathetic.

"If you need to talk about it–"

"It–It's fine," you interrupted him with a soft laugh, choosing to smile at him. "Really. It's not that big of a deal."

"Hanae."

You took a breath and stopped defending another one of your abusers. You took another bite of your food.

You really didn't want to be talking about this any longer, so you didn't. But everyone else seemed to be.

"I'll have a discussion with him about this. As Class President, I'm appalled at such vulgar behavior."

"That was so unmanly. He should be forced to apologize."

"I probably could have stood up for her sooner…"

"Why does he have to be such a jerk? I mean, it's not her fault he almost lost to her at the Sports Festival and that she makes more money."

You let out a deep sigh.

"How did your interview go?"

You looked up at Shoto, surprised at the sudden question. He looked back to you.

"Oh," you said. "That's right. On Saturday. It went well." You smiled. This time, the smile was genuine. "It was very fun and entertaining. We mostly talked and joked and told stories. It airs on Wednesday and it'll be up online the day after."

He nodded. "I'll have to watch it. And you said your internship was good…How's your mother?"

He really could be very sweet sometimes. It made your heart swell. "She's doing really well. She's starting to show, so she's getting more tired in the evenings, which is where Shina and I come in. She handles the babies and I handle the housework and we tag-team it pretty well."

That reminded you of your driving situation. "Speaking of home life…my driver is essentially quitting his job because his wife is ill."

He straightened a little. "That's awful. Please send my condolences."

You nodded. "Thank you."

You told him of the situation, the fact you were going to be the primary transportation, and how it would affect the children's sleep schedules.

He nodded again, thoughtful. It was as if he were trying to think through your situation as you were.

"And your mother can't take them?" He asked for clarification.

"No, she can't. She doesn't have a valid license. And I wouldn't want her to, anyway. She's…well, she's a little spacey."

"Hm." He hummed. "I wouldn't know."

You smiled, thinking fondly of your mother. "Yes. A great cook, and a wonderful mother, but not great when it comes to time management. It's sometimes very irritating."

He smiled again. You were glad the tension of the situation was lifted, even just a little bit.

Even so, you found yourself putting your food away after eating just one crab croquette and one onigiri. You stood up and packed your food.

Todoroki asked again if you were alright. You smiled and nodded. You simply excused yourself by explaining there was work you needed to do before you headed back to class that you didn't remember until then.

Shoto was suspicious. He let you go though. He promised to text. You smiled.

You put your food away, spotting Bakugou-San talking with another student. You avoided his gaze and hurried to the restroom.

You made sure you were alone before your breath became heavy, quick, and ragged. You braced yourself on the sink, your arms and legs shaking.

Tears started to stream down your face. You didn't know why you were losing control so viscerally–so horribly. Sobs shook your body–a body you weren't in control of.

You were a wreck. This experience… You felt like you were watching yourself fall apart.

You knew you needed to get away, you needed a moment to yourself, just to calm down and compose yourself, and try to suppress the lies that your father plagued you with since you were six–but you didn't realize that this would happen.

You could not gain control. You could not breathe. No matter what you did. No matter how hard you tried to talk yourself out of it, think your way out of it–it was too much. It was all too much.

The strain, the worry of how your father would react each day you walked through the door, the fear for your mother, the pressure of now being responsible for transporting your siblings to school and back home, your channel, your art, your deadlines, your bills to pay, your engagement, your father–even this new internship, which you knew was a good thing!

…it was too much.

You slipped down from the sink and curled into a ball in the corner of the bathroom. Your tears couldn't stop–they wouldn't stop.

Your mind was rational. It wasn't panicked. The rest of you was–you were shaking, trembling, hysterical, weak. Nothing but a bitch looking for the attention she doesn't get at home.

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

What do you fear, Hanae?

I fear that I am nothing. Nothing at all. Nothing but a helpless girl. Meant for nothing but cooking and cleaning.

What do you want, Hanae?

I want to be great. I want to change the world. I want to make people feel safe.

Safer than I've ever been.

Who do you love, Hanae?

Do you even love anyone?

If you loved someone, anyone, you would be better. You wouldn't break down. You wouldn't lose control. You wouldn't be weak.

Weak.

Useless.

Helpless.

Worthless.

Bitch.

Nothing.

Your body was still shaking as you argued with yourself. You pushed the fears away, the lies away, the thoughts away, over and over again–and it didn't help. It only made you cry harder. You could only pray someone didn't come in and see how pitiful you really were.

You shook and trembled as you cried and hyperventilated–unsure of what was really happening. Your voice and shaky breaths echoing off the tile walls in the bathroom were your only company.

You didn't know how long you were in there, or how long you were alone. Your body finally stopped wigging out. You started to breathe normally. Your will and mind started to come alive. You started to feel like yourself again. You started to gain control.

You slowed your breathing and controlled your blinking. Your slow blinks made your body calm. When you felt secure and steady, you stood and looked in the mirror at the damage done.

You almost visibly cringed as you stared at your tear-streaked makeup, your red eyes, nose, and lips. Somehow, your hair came undone.

You sighed deeply and closed your eyes, composing yourself. You refused to fall into self-pity. You refused to let it stop you or get you down.

You needed to get to class. You needed to compose yourself and fix your appearance.

You fixed your hair and washed your face, splashing it with cold water after your makeup was removed. You would fully cleanse your skin that evening. You didn't have time to reapply it. You had no doubt your teacher would be curious as to why you were late to class.

You left the bathroom, straightened your tie, and put on a smile. You came up with the perfect excuse you would tell him if–and when–he asked where you had been.

.o0o.