End of Semester

Estelle watched some of her classmates mourn the loss of their final exams. She was resting in her seat with fatigue as she spent most of yesterday recovering from her episode and training with Shinsou. The boy was improving a lot, and his training with Aizawa had benefited him immensely. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Kaminari's moaning.

"They said whoever failed the exams would have to skip training camp and live in summer school hell. We didn't pass the practical's, so we're doomed. Don't you understand, Midoriya!? Or did All Might knock the brains outta you?!"

Estelle snickered at Kaminari's words, watching as he stuck his finger in Midoriya's eye in a fury. She quickly stifled it when everyone turned to glance at her. She couldn't help the slight grin from resurfacing whilst she looked away from the others. The picture now burned into her brain.

"Calm down, Kaminari!" Sero exclaimed in hopes of putting out the fire.

She ignored Kaminari following words in favour of watching Midoriya holding his eye in pain. The grin that she was trying to hide now in full view again. She was totally a sadist.

'Is this seriously bringing her joy right now?'

Hell yes, it was.

Her contentment was cut short by Aizawa storming into the classroom with the slam of the door.

"Once the bell rings, you should be in your seats! Morning, unfortunately, there are a few of you that did not pass your final exams. So, when it comes to the training camps in the woods...Everyone is going!" Aizawa finished with a creepy wide grin.

"It's a last-minute twist!" The group who failed shouted out in glee.

"The good news is that no one bombed the written exam. Five failed the practical badly. Two teams, of course, and then Sero failed as well."

"Awh crap, I knew it", the tape boy cried out.

"Allow me to explain. For the practical battles, the teachers made sure to leave a way for the students to win. Otherwise, you never would have stood a chance. We were interested in observing how you each worked together and approached the task at hand. Of course, Estelle's was a little different, but I have already explained that."

Ojiro was the next to speak up. "But didn't you promise that the teachers wouldn't be holding back?"

"That was just to get you on edge. Besides, the training camp will focus on building your strength. Those who failed need those lessons the most. We were never going to separate you. That was just a logical deception we used." Aizawa responded, once again finishing with his broad, creepy smile.

"Mr Aizawa! This is the second time you have lied to us! Aren't you afraid we'll lose faith in you" Iida shouted as he raised his hand. Estelle groaned into her palms at his voice. He may be helpful, but he was also a pain in the ass.

"I'll consider it, but I wasn't lying about everything. Failure is failure. We have prepared extra lessons for the five of you," Aizawa confirmed towards the losers.

Estelle disregarded everyone while she packed up her things when she overheard Hagakure yelling out, "Guys! I have the best idea! Why doesn't Class 1A go shopping together?!"

Estelle decided it was time to leave while most of the class agreed to go.

She shuffled on the outskirts of the classroom walls in hopes of avoiding attention and making a break for it. She, unfortunately, failed since Ashido hollered out in front of the class, "Estelle! You coming!?"

Estelle quickly responded with her body halfway out the door, "Oh, I'm working. Bye."

"You have a job!?" Ashido screeched out in surprise. Estelle could only faintly hear her reply since she had hurriedly left.

Unfortunately for Estelle, she wasn't there when Kirishima walked up to the energetic Ashido and whispered, "I have an Idea!"

She was in for a ride.

Estelle was not pleased.

She was working her shift as she does most days.

This time though, Estelle was visited by members of her class.

Most of Class 1A, to be exact.

They all timidly stood at the door, shifting their feet like they were about to make a run for it. Ashido and Kirishima stood at the front of the pack with big grins. Their eyes betrayed their apprehension.

Estelle slowly walked up to the group, and she was not smiling.

"Why are you all here? Do you all want tea or something?"

"Uh, so." Kirishima started and rubbed his neck in awkwardness.

Ashido interrupted him quickly. "We figured we would pick you up for shopping!"

Estelle scowled.

The class slumped at their failed attempt.

Before Estelle could provide a sharp response to shut the invitation down, she was hindered by Nona's voice.

"Oh, Estelle! Have you brought more of your friends?!"

Estelle glowered.

The class chuckled nervously.

"No, Nona, they were just leaving."

"Nonsense! They all wouldn't come here for nothing! What were you looking for, dearies?"

"We wanted Estelle to come shopping with us! Can you get her to go?!" Hagakure yelled out in hopes the only lady could persuade the distant girl.

"Of course! Estelle, take the rest of the day off! Get some stuff for your trip. I'll see you at home!"

"But Nona-"

"Go on, Estelle."

"Ugh. Fine."

Estelle lifted her apron from her body and placed it on the counter before turning to follow her classmates. They all brightened up that their mission was a success and walked with her to the mall. Luckily the Beanery was only ten minutes away, and they all arrived pretty quickly.

Estelle was stuck with her class whilst they discussed their plans for the mall. They had finally decided to part ways in groups when Estelle was left behind with Midoriya and Ochako.

'Why even ask me to come along if you guys are just going to leave me here?' Estelle thought as she watched Midoriya and Ochako talking.

Clearly, Midoriya said something to cause Ochako to run a mile an hour away from the green-haired male. Estelle chuckled at the sight before she was dragged along behind the bubble gum female.

"Hey! What! Where are we going?"

"To get some bug spray!"

"Oh. Okay." Estelle responded, accepting the position of following behind her until she could go home.

Estelle ignored Ochako insistent muttering in favour of looking through the glass of various shops. She then waited outside for the girl to get her damn bug spray.

When she finally arrived, she asked, "should we go back to find Midoriya? I feel bad that we just left him behind."

"Not we; you left him behind."

"Yeah..." Ochako whined in despair. Estelle sighed at the expression on her face before turning back in the direction they left the male.

"What are you waiting for? Come on, let's find Midoriya."

"Right!"

The two girls walked their way back and talked amicably about the training camp taking place roughly a week into the summer. Once they finally reached the area they were looking for, they scanned for green tipped hair. The two girls squinted when they saw Midoriya with another person that they couldn't recognise from a distance.

They looked at each other in understanding. This isn't going to be good; the girls could just tell.

Quickly making their way to Midoriya, they stopped in front of the pair.

Estelle wasn't shocked to find Tomura Shigaraki just chilling with Midoriya in the middle of a shopping centre.

What even is her life anymore?

Ochako spoke up and inquired what the villain was doing here. The hand wrapped around Midoriya's neck was prominent, and Estelle scanned for any way to break him out of the hold safely.

Alas, every option that she could think of was futile.

"Me and Midoriya were just having a friendly chat. I'll be going now," Shigaraki stated as he let go of his neck. Midoriya choked out multiple coughs to regain his breathing whilst Ochako ran up to him to ensure he was okay. Estelle didn't take her sights off the villain.

"Hold on, Shigaraki! I have a question too. What is All for One after?"

'All for One?'

"Who knows, really. But here is a little word of advice, friend. Be careful. The next time we meet, I'll likely have to kill you."

Estelle took a step forward towards Shigaraki, the plans forming in her head. The only issue was the civil-

"Ah-ah, don't do anything rash. There are a lot of civilians here. We don't want any casualties, do we?"

Estelle frowned at the blue-haired male and shook her head in disgust. The villain laughed out loud.

"Oh, I missed you, pretty girl. You should come by sometime. It's a real shame that we are on opposite sides. Until we meet again."

Estell snarled in annoyance when he disappeared into the crowd. She finally allowed herself to look at Midoriya, who was still recovering from the villain's grip on his neck.

The three stayed together as Ochako called the authorities. They arrived in record time and began to speak to the class about the events that had taken place. Estelle felt irritation rise in her gut when she realised she would have to go to the station with Midoriya. Just her luck.

Estelle sat by Midoriya whilst he explained the events of the day with Detective Tsukauchi. Estelle didn't have much to add, but with Shigaraki and his words to her in the USJ attack. They figured it was easier if Estelle came along.

Once the talking was done, Estelle walked out with the two males to the outside. All Might stood waiting and strolled his way up to the trio. Ruffling Midoriya's head, All Might expressed his relief at the two student's safety.

"Hey, All Might. Do you ever have times when you can't save all the people you want to?" Midoriya asked anxiously.

Estelle froze at his words.

"Yes, I do. Often. Someone could be yelling out for help anywhere in the world right now, and I would never know about it. I know it's frustrating, but we're only human. There will always be people beyond our reach that we can't protect. That's all the reason to stand and smile, to show that the justice of peace is always there."

'What about people you could've saved?' Estelle inwardly asked. To her wonder, the detective answered her thoughts.

"All Might has never failed to save someone after arriving at an emergency."

Estelle was mute at his words. The pain in her heart grew heavy with her burden. She felt more disconnected than ever. Is it the right thing to do to become a hero if she couldn't save the ones closest to her? Estelle gazed at the wall in melancholy; she wasn't enough. The three males noticed her expression but didn't comment. Midoriya's heart pinched at the pain he could see in her eyes and wondered what had provoked it.

Estelle was broken out of her thoughts when Midoriya's mother arrived. With teary eyes, his mother expressed her fears for her son.

"I'm sorry, everything is fine. I'm okay, mom. There's no need to cry."

Estelle felt a pang in her soul watching the scene before her. She felt like she was having a pity party for herself. The fear the parent held for Midoriya was a mother's love. A love she never got to experience.

Snapping herself out of it. Estelle internally scolded herself; She had Nona! That was enough.

Estelle had a few questions to ask Midoriya about All for One. She had decided to hold off on that for now since Midoriya's mother was there. Getting into the car with the two of them. Estelle headed back home.

Summer had begun with a rough start due to the incident that occurred yesterday. Estelle's focus was to spend the beginning of summer vacation with Nona and the cafe.

To her frustration, Estelle had been bombarded with warnings hidden on napkins at work or hidden in her room. The increased amount of them just showed her that things were just going to continue to get worse. Estelle was worried about what they might be, who they might be and why they had followed her.

It was another quiet day of Estelle working alone when she received another. Instead of art, Estelle was met by the sight of a dead animal in the middle of the cafe. Estelle froze in alarm at the violent show before her. Whoever this was - was more vicious in their actions. This wasn't just an omen anymore; it was a declaration of war.

'But against who?'

Estelle had too many things on her list and nothing to narrow it down. She took the animal out to bury. Estelle held increased irritation at the situation she was in. There wasn't anything she could do. Nobody to tell; Estelle was alone. Like she was always would be.

Burying the cat quickly on the plot of land near the cafe, Estelle opened up shop, slightly shaken. Most of the day dragged by with various customers. Estelle was startled when she was nearing closing time to find Kirishima standing by the counter with a sheepish grin.

"Hey, can I buy a pumpkin latte to go?"

"Sure."

Kirishima waited apprehensively at the counter whilst Estelle made his order in the backroom. Once she had created his drink and handed it over, Kirishima spoke up once more.

"You know, you did great in the final exam. I'm sad I never passed the practical even with yours and Bakugo's help."

"Hey, don't worry about it. You still passed the written portion, did you not? That means you learnt all we taught you. Don't beat yourself down. You still have remedial classes."

"That's true. Thanks, Estelle."

"No worries."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I dunno, you just don't talk to the class much. I just wanted to make sure. You seem a little shaken up."

Estelle gazed appreciatively at the redhead. "I'm fine, thank you for asking."

"Great! I'll see you around, Estelle."