Firstly, thank you all for the support, you're all so incredibly sweet and it means everything to me that y'all care so much about my personal feelings as well as my work. I love writing for Hitomi, and I love that it's enjoyed by so many people. It's honestly kinda mind boggling to me, so thank you again, so so much.

Also, Luka-sama, I do read every comment on here, no matter the language it's in (I have google translate as a bookmarked tab lol) and oftentimes come back to reread them for motivation, or a pick-me-up. You've been insanely sweet each chapter, and I just wanted to let you know that I see you, and appreciate you!

Onto the chapter! (I'm sorry in advance)

"If you want me to join your merry band of shitheads, then why is she here?" Katsuki jerked his head toward where Saito was restrained against the wall, her head hanging, unconscious.

Keep them talking. Just keep them talking until I figure out how to get free and—

And… fuck, and what?

Shigaraki sighed wheezily. "A group caught wind of our plan to pick you up, and they offered something valuable in return for the girl."

Katsuki felt a chill. The League couldn't possibly be incompetent enough to be loose-lipped about their goings on— so who the fuck could have pegged them so easily, with nothing to go on?

"We are usually not in the business of that sort of thing, but considering the circumstances…" The warpy bastard trailed off.

"We were already in the area, so, why not?" The magician fucker twirled his cane without a care.

All while Saito was actively bleeding out. Katsuki had to look away when the freaky school-girl started collecting some.

"She was easy enough to get ahold of." The magician finished smugly. "Thanks to convenience we were able to snag her. We wouldn't have taken the deal if we weren't already after you."

…what?

Katsuki swallowed dryly, his eyes landing again on his fr—classmate. One undeniable fact now glaring him in the face.

Saito was here because of him. The League grabbed her, because they were already after him. She was hurt severely, because of him.

Katsuki's stomach rolled, and—

Carmine eyes shot open, a soft gasp escaping his lips. For a second, his heart stopped, not recognizing the ceiling above him. But then the night before all came flooding back.

Dorms. Right. They moved into dorms.

…because of him.

…

Waking up for the first time in her new dorm was disorienting.

The space— despite housing many of her things —didn't smell quite right. Her scent hadn't really set in, and left the room smelling both new and familiar.

So when Hitomi awoke, she was startled for a moment. Shooting up in bed, she scanned her surroundings, and remembered.

The night before, her friends helped her settle in, all on their own accord.

It warmed her chest.

Going through a mental checklist for the day, Hitomi stood and got herself ready. All while admiring her new space.

Her bed was fitted with pastel yellow sheets and pillowcases, and a thick faux-fur white blanket. Crowded around her pillows were many stuffed animals, most of which were recognizable as Zanrio mascots, along with Shinsou's lilac bear. At the end of her bed was a sky blue crushed velvet lined chest, full of the rest of her plushie collection. To the left of her bed was an oak nightstand, with a single drawer. On top was a white-noise machine, and a small lamp with a pink lampshade, which she used when hit with the urge to read when she should be sleeping.

The sliding glass door leading out to the veranda was blocked by opaque curtains. They were one of the only dark things in the room, black to block out any unwanted sunlight. They weren't completely plain, however, with white dots and tiny stars smattering the fabric to give it some more life.

Across the glass door on the opposite wall as her bed, was a simple desk and pink office-chair. Her laptop and textbooks laid out on top.

On the floor was a large round rug, fuzzy and white. It spread across most of the hardwood floor, taking up the entire center of the room.

A matching oak dresser faced her bed on the left wall, full along with her closet. Lined up across the top were miscellaneous items, ranging from pretty rocks she'd found, to expensive anime figurines. On the wall above it hung a rectangular cork-board, brightly colored tacks holding many seemingly random things in place. There were movie tickets, postcards, a couple receipts, ribbons, and the drawing given to her by that little feline-girl— among other things, like her bronze medal from the sports festival.

On the same wall there were three shelves, all lined up, going down vertically. Her manga collection on the first, some memorabilia and figures on the second, and some DVDs and card games on the third. Plastered up by the shelves were a handful of posters, one for her favorite anime, another of the mascots she had plushies of, and one she got for donating to the local animal shelter.

Her flatscreen was set up on a wall-mount, hung across from her bed, so she could lay back and watch. The mini fridge provided with the room sat under it, already stocked with some snacks and drinks.

But admittedly, Hitomi's favorite fixture were the fairy lights. Draped up and around every wall in her room, drooping and stretching in each corner, they glowed a white— somewhat yellow-ish hue. When she flicked the light off, they lit her room with a soft magical ambiance that she absolutely adored.

Once finished getting dressed in her uniform, Hitomi limped to her door.

…

"What do we have here? An A stray?"

Yosetsu sighed through his nose. It was way too early to be putting up with Neito. He had a hard time falling asleep in the new room, and the blonde's borderline neurotic bitterness for Class A wasn't something he thought he had the patience for at the moment.

Where was Kendou when they needed her?

"Hello Monama! Is Awase here?"

Yosetsu rubbed his tired eyes, dragging himself away from the island counter in their kitchen.

"Why do you want to know?" Neito sneered.

Yosetsu nudged him out of the doorway, and was surprised to see who it was.

"Uh, hey Saito. Sorry about him." He mumbled Kendou's usual line.

"Don't worry about it. May I come in?"

Yosetsu nodded, stepping aside. He winced when he noticed the cast and crutches. He had overlooked them, too busy trying to figure out why she was visiting unannounced.

She peered around, smiling and waving at the few others who were up and milling around. Then, she turned to face Yosetsu.

"I wasn't sure what to make, so I went with something I felt was a safe bet." Saito said, balancing on her good leg, and reaching into the tote bag hanging at her side.

Yosetsu blinked when she pulled out a tupperware container, appearing full of melon-pan. When she held it out to him, he took it absentmindedly, too tired to keep up with what was happening.

Neito's condescending cackling was what broke him from his reverie.

Oh shit, was this a confession?! I haven't even ever spoken with Saito before!

"Ah! O-oh, jeez, uh… this is—"

Then, Saito took both her crutches, leaning down and setting them on the floor next to her. After that, she lowered herself to her knees, putting her hands in her lap. Bending forward, she bowed so deeply her forehead brushed the floor.

Neito fell silent. As did everyone else in the common room.

"Awase."

Yosetsu flinched, fidgeting nervously. "Uh, yeah?"

"You saved Momo's life. I can never thank you enough for that." Her voice was soft and subdued.

Yosetsu relaxed, slowly dropping down to sit cross-legged in front of her. "You don't have to—"

Saito lifted her head, and he was uncomfortable to see her eyes were misty.

"Momo's not just my best friend. She's my sister. We've grown up together and I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose—" She cut herself off, pursing her lips. With a sniffle, she lowered her head again. "Just… thank you, Awase. For looking out for her when I couldn't."

Yosetsu smiled weakly, reaching over and putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey…" Usually Yosetsu would say something along the lines of it's no big deal, or no problem, but this felt too serious and genuine for either of those. "You don't have to thank me for helping her. Yaoyorozu's really cool, you know? I couldn't leave her behind. What kinda Hero would I be if I did?"

Saito sat up, eyes wide— almost unnervingly so. "You think Momo's cool?"

Yosetsu grimaced, ignoring Neito's resumed laughter and muttered jabs.

But Saito, probably with her super-hearing, must've caught something the blonde said, because she blinked in surprise and stared at Yosetsu almost eagerly.

"Oh! So you have a crush on Momo!"

A piece of Yosetsu's soul shriveled up and died.

But to his surprise, Saito beamed.

"That's so sweet!" Then, with her smile still in place, she put her hands on his shoulders, a dark and threatening aura swirling around her. "But if you even think of using the fact you saved her as a way to pressure her into a date, I'll rip off both your arms. Okay?"

"I—" Yosetsu shut his mouth, choosing to simply nod frantically.

"Great!" She chirped, picking up her crutches and slowly getting to her feet. "That's all I had to say. Have a nice day, everyone!" She called to the room at large, getting hesitant and somewhat fearful responses.

Yosetsu watched her leave, unsure of how he was supposed to take all of that. She seemed happy that he liked Yaoyorozu, but was also fiercely protective, clearly.

Well, at least he got cookies out of it.

…

"Good morning, ma'am!"

At Hitomi's loud entrance, Recovery Girl shook her head with a fond smile.

"Good morning Saito. Take a seat and we'll get started."

Hitomi hummed an affirmative, eager to finally be able to walk and use her hands at the same time. She hadn't ever realized how much she moved them when talking, only catching it when she no longer could.

"You seem eager." Recovery Girl noted, approaching the cot Hitomi plopped down on.

"Mm! It feels like it's been on me for forever!" She whined, more than happy to set aside the crutches with the intent to leave them in the infirmary.

Recovery Girl nodded. "I can imagine. Now, I can't help but notice, you're still wearing a bandage."

Hitomi flinched, hand instinctively shooting up and covering her right cheek. "Ah, well…"

The old woman frowned sympathetically. "I understand. But you know at some point it has to come off."

Hitomi looked to the floor. "Yeah…"

But not yet.

Recovery Girl puckered her lips, and kissed Hitomi's right knee. The skin in that area glowed, and the pinkette felt the fatigue that came at the price of her healing.

With the bone now completely healed, the woman got out some tools and got to work cutting the cast open.

Much to Hitomi's disappointment, a large starburst scar marred her shin, from where the bone had broken through, and was uncaringly shoved back in.

The memory made her shudder.

"There. Good as new." Recovery Girl announced.

Hitomi nodded along with a forced smile.

Sure. Good as new. Just with two scars, an anxious family, and plenty of guilt.

…

"Man, these tests are killing me! I don't know how you do it, keeping your grades up all while training to get into the Hero course." Matsuda groaned.

Hitoshi shrugged awkwardly, still getting used to his classmates being so at ease talking to him.

"It's tough. Mr. Aizawa is working me to the bone—"

"Shinsou!"

Before Hitoshi could turn around, a weight barreled into him. Two slender arms wrapped around his neck from behind, and his face blazed red when he felt a pair of soft… things press into his back.

Matsuda gawked in front of him, pointing and flapping his mouth uselessly.

Hitoshi could understand why.

The weight dropped, and he cautiously turned to face her.

Saito glowed, bouncing in place excitedly.

"I'm so happy to see you! Nori told me about you stopping by the house, and I thought it was super sweet!" Her expression suddenly shifted into pouting disapproval. "But why didn't you visit me when I was in the hospital? I know you were there, the purple bear smells like you."

(Coming from anyone else that would sound so weird.)

Hitoshi for the life of him couldn't take her seriously. The way she was pouting, with her fists clenched by her chest, she looked like an irate toddler.

It was typical Saito behavior to be overly animated and emotional. But something felt off.

"I didn't want to bother you." He admitted, scratching the back of his head.

Saito blinked, brows furrowing.

"You could never bother me, Shinsou."

Hitoshi swallowed, feeling his cheeks warming again. Did she have to make it sound so—

"You're my friend, after all!"

Ah.

Matsuda snorted, and whispered a snide "Oof." The traitor.

Desperate to change the subject, Hitoshi cleared his throat and asked something he hoped wouldn't upset her.

"So, uh, how was the camp before… things changed?"

Saito rocked on her heels, humming faintly, and he didn't miss the way her body gave a minute flinch. "Well, pretty great, actually. I made some progress with my Quirk— a lot of us did. And it was really fun when we were able to goof off." She perked up, giggling. "Oh yeah! All us girls had a sleepover, and it was great!"

Hitoshi smiled slightly, relieved to see her being her normal self. In all honesty, part of the reason he didn't come to see her was because he was afraid. He didn't want to see her… broken. It was cowardly, and he was ashamed of it, but all that mattered was that she was here now, chipper as ever.

…Almost too chipper, all things considered.

"—Then the girls said some pretty ridiculous things. Like— do you remember me telling you about training with the Isami students?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, they for some reason think that one of the guys has a crush on me."

What.

"What… guy?" He asked through his teeth before he could think better of it.

"Oh, his name was Fujimi! I liked him—"

Hitoshi twitched.

"—he was really passionate! Actually, he was a lot like Katsuki in that way."

Hold up—

"Katsuki?" The name tasted sour on his tongue.

This was all derailing way too fast.

Saito blinked, then beamed— this one feeling more genuine than the rest. "Oh, yeah! I've been calling him Katsuki." After a second of contemplation, her tail wagged twice. "Hey, I'm fine with you calling me by my first name too."

Hitoshi tensed. He humored the thought for half a second, before his cheeks burned bright once again.

"Uh… I'll just stick with Saito."

Saito's smile faded, and her ears drooped.

"Oh… Okay."

Shit. Shit—

"B-but, you, uh… You can call me Hitoshi, if you want."

Saito perked right back up, her tail blurring behind her (slower than normal, he noticed.)

"Really!" She gave a happy giggle, cocking her head with a closed-eye smile. "Hitoshi it is then!"

Hearing her say his name almost made him disregard how… hollow her laughter sounded.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Before he could mention any concern, Saito rummaged around in her tote bag, retrieving a container.

Hitoshi stared wide-eyed as she held it out to him.

"As a thank you for worrying about me!" She chirped cluelessly.

The cookies inside looked homemade. She had to be doing this on purpose, right?

...No, no Saito wouldn't mess with him like that. It was just Hitoshi's luck that he had to fall for the densest girl in Japan.

"T-thanks." Despite his best efforts, he couldn't help but stutter when taking the offered sweets.

"Mm! Well, see you later!" She sent a merry wave over her shoulder as she skipped away.

But he caught her ears rotating vigilantly atop her head, keened to pick up on the smallest sound.

As soon as she was out of sight, Matsuda turned to him with a somewhat pitying grin.

"Dude."

Hitoshi sighed through his nose, closing his eyes and slumping his shoulders.

"Yeah. I know."

The cookies felt heavy in his hands.

…

"I believe I mentioned this already, but your main focus this summer is obtaining provisional Hero licenses." Mr. Aizawa's tone and expression were equally serious.

"Yes, sir."

"Do not take this lightly. A Hero license means that you're responsible for human lives. You can imagine that the exam to receive one is very difficult. Only fifty percent of students pass the tests required for these permits each year."

"It's that hard to get a provisional license?" Mineta sputtered.

Hitomi stared at her desk, fists clenched. Of course it was going to be brutal. Was she… was she strong enough for it?

(Her right cheek burned.)

Mr. Aizawa's eyes narrowed. "In order to prepare, today you'll concentrate on creating something new."

The door slid open, revealing Midnight, Cementoss, and Ectoplasm.

"Two ultimate moves."

"Ultimate moves?!" Eijirou and Kaminari exclaimed.

"An exam is a normal school thing!"

"But this is total Hero work!"

Hitomi sat unsure, faced with a dilemma.

"When we say ultimate, we mean a move that will ensure you win against your opponent." Ectoplasm said.

"An action so unique to your identity, that no other person can hope to copy it." Cementoss added. "Simply put, you must lean in to your strengths."

"Your moves represent who you are. These days, most Pro Heroes have an ultimate move. Those who don't are fools." Midnight finished.

Hitomi winced.

"This may sound abstract, but we'll explain more as the day goes on. For now, change into your costumes and meet in Gym Gamma." Mr. Aizawa instructed.

…

Akita Inu wasn't versatile.

It wasn't like her mother's. For Hitomi, her Quirk was all or nothing. To be blunt, there was no way for her to make an ultimate move. But that didn't seem to matter to the teachers. Not even Aunt Nemuri was showing any sign of acknowledging the hang-up.

But there was another problem. One she didn't know how to explain to her teachers.

Her Quirk wasn't working.

Ever since she got her cast off, she had been unable to activate Akita Inu. No matter how hard she tried, she remained the same size and shape. It left her panicked and confused. She speculated on if it had anything to do with her trying to use it when she was still injured, and this was the rebound effect. A punishment by her own body.

But Hitomi was hesitant to bring it up to anyone, because there was also another likely reason.

It could be a mental issue. Just like after her parents died. While she grieved, for a total of five months she had been unable to shift. What if that was what was happening now?

Hitomi was hit with the dizzying and dread inducing thought, what if she was taken out of 1-A? Without her Quirk, what use was she?

Suddenly, Hitomi recalled something she and Yu had sketched up while working on her new costume design.

She latched desperately onto the shred of hope.

…

The cafeteria bustled with students eager to catch a needed break. It was almost strange to be back. Comforting. But strange.

"Awase!"

The boy jumped, nearly throwing his food tray in the air, and turned to her almost cautiously. "Yeah?"

"Do you have plans to sit with anyone?" Hitomi leaned in eagerly.

Awase awkwardly shuffled back to put some distance between them, noticeably tucking his arms close. "Uh, well— no?"

"Great!" She chirped, effortlessly grabbing his wrist and dragging him along. In a blur she ran up to Momo's table, and put Awase down in the spot next to the ravenette. "Have fun!"

Momo and Awase stared at each other in shock. Once it wore off, they were both flushed, with Momo profusely apologizing for Hitomi's behavior, and with Awase sheepishly admitting that he didn't mind.

Hitomi bounded back over to her usual table, pleased with her work. She sat down between Sero and Katsuki, across from Kaminari, Mina, and Eijirou.

"Wow. The densest girl in the school is playing matchmaker." Mina shook her head at the display, though she wore a smile.

Hitomi hummed questioningly. "What do you mean? I'm not dense."

Mina gave her a deadpan stare. "Shinsou and Fujimi."

"What about them?"

(Her ears flicked, catching the sound of Izuku sneezing on the other side of the cafeteria.)

"Yaomomo and Awase?" Eijirou said skeptically, watching them at their table.

"Mm! Momo's been wanting to thank him, but has been too shy to approach him, so this is killing two birds with one stone." Hitomi proudly explained, opening her bento and taking a meager bite of some tempura.

The bandage crinkled irritatingly as she chewed.

"Hey, Saito. I've been meaning to ask, but, what's up with the bandage?" Kaminari gestured to his own cheek.

Hitomi stiffened. Her chopsticks splintered.

"Dude." Eijirou hissed in warning at the blonde.

"I've kinda been wondering the same thing." Sero admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "You've been wearing it awhile. Shouldn't it be healed by now?"

Hitomi swallowed— the bite of food now tasting like ash —and put on a hollow smile.

"It's just better if I leave it on."

"But—"

Hitomi stood, closing her bento and stowing it away in her bag, only having taken the one bite. "I just remembered, there's something I need to take care of."

Kaminari winced. "Wait—"

She didn't, shrugging on her backpack and leaving, practically running out of the cafeteria.

…

"Shit." Sparky hung his head.

"Shouldn't have pushed it." Tape mumbled, both to Sparky and himself.

"You guys didn't see it." Kirishima grimaced at the reminder of that night. "The cut was bad."

Not a cut. A cut is what you get from a cat, or a piece of paper. Her face was slashed.

Katsuki closed his eyes for a fleeting second, working to banish the crimson soaked memory. Her pained cry rang in his ears.

There were so many things that happened in Kamino that Katsuki deeply, mournfully, regretted.

(I ended All Might. I was weak. Not strong enough. My classmates got hurt because the League wanted me. Wanted us. They took her because of me. She was hurt and couldn't fight. I was too powerless to do anything. All Might is gone. Deku's arm is fucked up even more. Saito's not alright. How can no one else see she's—)

The redhead sighed. "There's no doubt that it…"

"Scarred." Raccoon Eyes finished for him weakly, poking around at her food with an unsettled expression.

"If she wants to wear the bandage, I say let her. I mean, I get self-conscious of this sometimes." Kirishima chuckled mirthlessly, rubbing the small scar above his right eyebrow.

But they all knew it was a lackluster comparison.

"Not to be insensitive or anything, but don't a lot of Heroes wear their scars with pride?" Kaminari mentioned hesitantly.

"This is different."

The rest of the table looked up at him as Katsuki stood. He didn't say anything more, taking his hardly touched bento and leaving.

…

"Hello?"

Hitomi sheepishly shuffled into the room, looking around in wonder at all the machinery and devices littering every table or counter. The air smelled of oil and metal most prominently, with some individual scents underneath.

She was using lunch as an opportunity to take care of another task on her list (while also dodging any more questions about her bandage) quickly making her way to the Support course's workshop. Thankfully it wasn't empty, a singular student still working diligently.

Hitomi recognized her as the girl who had made Tenya into a living commercial.

The girl— Hatsume, right? —didn't seem to notice Hitomi's presence. Not looking up from the item she was working on until Hitomi cautiously tapped her on the shoulder.

Hatsume's head shot up, and Hitomi blinked when faced with a large and intricate pair of goggles.

"Um, hi?" Hitomi waved awkwardly.

Hatsume stood, slipping off the goggles— revealing lovely and interesting yellow eyes.

Those, combined with her hair, almost made her look like she could be Hitomi and Nori's sister.

"Something you need?" Hatsume put her hands on her hips, grinning proudly.

"Oh, uh, yeah." Hitomi was a little hesitant to request something from the girl, but she hoped Hatsume's love of building things would win-out. "I'm getting a costume upgrade soon, and I was wondering if you could make a couple support items to go with it?" She held out a piece of paper.

Hatsume snatched it up, scanning the illustration and notes. Then, as fast as she had taken it, she thrusted it back into Hitomi's hands.

She deflated, assuming this meant Hatsume was rejecting her.

But then, the somewhat manic girl grinned toothily. "Child's play! I'll have your babies finished within four days!"

Hitomi gawked. "Four days? You can actually make them that fast?"

Hatsume nodded surely. "Yep! Would be quicker if I didn't have other projects to work on as well."

Hitomi opened and closed her mouth, at a loss.

"T-that's— I mean—"

Hatsume started pushing her toward the door.

"I know, I know. Now, shoo so I can get working!"

Hitomi stared dumbstruck at the door that was slammed in her face.

Hatsume was quite a character. One that Hitomi both respected, and now somewhat feared.

…

The girls' bathroom was empty, save for the pinkette.

Lunch would be ending soon, so she took care of things quickly, hoping she wouldn't miss the bell.

She was still stuck in her own head, trying to look at her Quirk from every angle, all to think of something she could jerry-rig into an ultimate move. But it all felt pointless.

With a sigh she stepped out of her stall, walking up to the sinks and wall-mirror.

Turning on the tap, she put her hands underneath the stream. But she made the mistake of not rolling up her sleeves.

Her right hand overshot, the hem of her sleeve getting doused in the cold water, soaking the material. She snapped her hand back, staring at the darkened fabric.

…Something warm and wet rolled down her cheek. Then another, and another.

Huh.

Her body rocked with a choked gasp for breath.

Everything just felt so heavy all of a sudden. Physically, emotionally, it was like she was sinking through tar, with no motivation to try to dig her way up. This all had been building since she and Katsuki were taken, but she had been ignoring it. Shoving it aside and putting all her focus into anything else she possibly could.

All it took was a tiny, inconsequential problem for the dam she worked so hard constructing, to come collapsing in. With the twin batons being made, that wrapped up her list. She was out of distractions, and the weight of her exhaustion, fear, and shame was suffocating, and impossible to put out of her mind.

Hitomi turned her back to the mirror, sliding down and curling up in a ball on the floor.

Suddenly, her right cheek seared, as if she was being slashed all over again. Gasping for breath, she desperately ripped the bandage off in an effort to get the burning to stop.

It didn't work.

Hitomi gripped the sides of her head, rocking and struggling to breathe evenly.

Turn it off. Turn it off. Turn it off. She internally repeated the mantra, praying for the buzzing in her scalp and limbs to stop, and for the ringing in her ears to silence.

Make it stop. Make it stop. Make it stop. Make it stop. Make it—

She threw herself forward, tensing and vomiting on the floor. She gasped and cried between heaves— only bile coming up, after days of hardly eating.

Then, a slender hand carded through her hair, gently holding the long locks back. The other hand settled on Hitomi's hunched and quaking back, rubbing soothing circles.

"It'll be okay." A sweet female voice assured Hitomi.

Poppies and mint gum. A strange combination. But nice nonetheless. Focusing on the unfamiliar girl's scent was a much needed distraction from the puddle on the floor.

The girl continued to hold Hitomi, humming and rubbing her back. Helping the pinkette ride out her episode.

…

"Excuse me?"

Katsuki glanced up from where he had been absently staring at the empty desk in front of him.

A girl stood in the doorway, with pastel pink hair cut in a choppy bob, and grey eyes with flower-shaped pupils. She looked older, perhaps a second or third year. She was frowning, and held up a slip of paper.

"I have a note from Recovery Girl, excusing Saito's absence." She passed it off to Mr. Aizawa.

A pit sat uncomfortably in Katsuki's stomach. He ignored it.

"What happened?" Of course Ponytail was the first to ask.

Mr. Aizawa read the note and frowned, sighing through his nose. "Thank you, Fuwa. You should get back to class." He addressed the girl.

She nodded, leaving and presumably heading back to her own homeroom.

"Is Hitomi okay?" Tentacles asked next, voice tight.

"She's fine." Mr. Aizawa gave them the short answer, tucking the note away and continuing on with the lesson.

The class shared some looks, each one heavy with concern. Sparky seemed especially guilty, whispering behind his back to Kirishima, about whether he thought what he said at lunch had something to do with it.

Katsuki stared straight ahead, into the space that Saito's head would be if she was in class. His right thumb absently ran over the fresh scars lining his left palm.

He continued to ignore the pit.