A/N: So originally, I was gonna do two updates this week. But I've been a bit slow drawing the art for one of the future chapters, so I'm doing only one this week to keep a good pace. Also because I've started doing artwork for people on Instagram, so I've been a bit busy. If you want one from me, you should go over there at hitomi . mimii and check my pinned post ;D

Also I saw Across the Spider-verse yesterday. It was so good 😭

Art -

[Complete Gallery] Add /21axlkt3bolc to the DeviantArt Stash URL.

[Ch. 77] Add /227g4zhlzvcp to the DeviantArt Stash URL.

Earlier in the week -

Hitomi lingered by the doorway of the teachers' lounge for a moment, finding Aizawa slumped over a computer. She made her way over to her homeroom teacher, feeling a bit anxious.

"Aizawa-sensei?"

The tired teacher halted his typing, grabbing some papers to sift through as he glanced at her. "What do you need, Kanetsukabe?"

Hitomi wrung her hands together, looking away. "I was just wondering… Would it be alright for me to come along the next time Bakugou and Todoroki have their provisional license course...?"

Aizawa raised a brow, an unreadable expression on his face.

"What for?"

Hitomi fiddled with her hair, her eyebrows furrowing. "I just wanted to observe… see what they do there and how they're doing. It'll be a learning experience…!"

I can't say the real reason is just to see someone…

Aizawa sighed, turning back to his papers. "I'm a bit swamped with work right now, but as long as you promise not to be a distraction…

I'll see what I can do."

That Friday -

Hitomi made a beeline for Kirishima as soon as he, Midoriya, Uraraka, and Tsuyu returned to the dorms, nearly tackling him as she wrapped her arms around him.

The entire class had gathered behind her, all voicing their concern for the four interns.

"Is everyone okay?!"

"That looked like some nasty business!"

"We saw everything on the news!"

"We were all super worried."

"Kirishimaaaa…" Hitomi mumbled into his chest.

Kirishima patted her back, smiling at her. "Hey, I'm okay…"

"Everyone!" Iida exclaimed as Hitomi stepped back. He stood in front of the four interns, blocking them off from the rest of the class. "Yes, they know we're worried about them! But calm down! You saw on the news, didn't you? A lot has happened to them. As their classmates, you should console them and let them rest quietly. Because I'm sure it's not just their bodies—their hearts must have also been worn down by everything that's happened."

"Hey, Iida-kun…" Midoriya started, halting the class rep's lecture as he gave Iida a soft smile. "Thanks, but… I'm fine."

Iida stared at him bewildered for a few seconds, before pushing up his glasses. "...Then, if I may." He suddenly grabbed Midoriya by the shoulders, shaking him rapidly. "I was extremely worried about you guys! Jeez, you guys! You guys!" he yelled.

"You're worse than any of us," Hitomi laughed.

Yaoyorozu turned away, running towards the kitchen. "I'll make some lavender herb tea! It'll help ease your spirits."

Sero suddenly swung his arm around Kirishima, pulling him down as the Bakusquad (save for Bakugou) crowded around him.

"Why didn't you say anything?!" Sero exclaimed. "We were super surprised, too!"

Kirishima held his hands up in surrender. "Sorry, there was a gag order..."

Mina tilted her head to the side, Koda's bunny in her hands. "You're good though, right?"

"...I'm not there yet."

"I see," Mina said, nodding in understanding.

As Uraraka and Tsuyu approached Mina, the pink girl offering to let them hold the bunny, Hitomi looked up sadly at Kirishima. "Disappearing to go on a mission, and then hearing you were all hospitalized... it really scared me, y'know…"

Kirishima patted her head, giving her another soft smile. "Sorry for making you worry, 'Tomi. But I'm here now, a-okay!"

They all suddenly turned to the sound of Kaminari's yelling, seeing Bakugou had flipped him onto the couch as he walked away.

"You're going to sleep already?!" Hitomi heard Kaminari cry. "What are you, an old man?"

"Unlike you people, I don't have that much time on my hands."

Todoroki appeared in the doorway, holding his phone. "Sorry, I've got to go to sleep as well."

Hitomi stared at the two of them before her eyes suddenly widened, the girl slapping her cheeks in alarm. "Oh, shit!"

She turned back to the Bakusquad, ignoring their looks of surprise. "What time is it?"

"Uhh… almost 8:30," Sero said.

"Crap!" Hitomi ran to the kitchen, looking distraught as she pulled out some bowls and cooking utensils.

"What's wrong, Hitomi?" Yaoyorozu asked, setting down her teapot.

"I was supposed to make something for tomorrow!" Hitomi stuttered, nearly dropping a measuring cup.

"What for?"

Hitomi didn't say anything back, distracted and mumbling to herself as she ran around the kitchen. Yaoyorozu watched as she placed various bowls and utensils on the counter, before rummaging through the cupboards to pull out the flour and cocoa mix Sato had just put away.

Hitomi plopped them onto the countertop, swiveling around only to trip on her own feet.

"Ah-!"

Yaoyorozu grabbed her arm, steadying the bluenette. "Careful, Hitomi!"

She waited until Hitomi had righted herself, sighing in relief. "Slow down. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Hitomi's eyebrows furrowed, the girl mussing up her hair. "I was supposed to make a surprise for someone tomorrow. And… I need to sleep early tonight too, since I'll be leaving in the morning."

"What are you making?"

Hitomi scratched her head, looking at everything she'd brought out. "Just some chocolate cookies," she sighed.

Yaoyorozu grabbed her tea tray, walking out of the kitchen. "One moment, Hitomi. I'll be right back."

Hitomi sighed as Yaoyorozu left, leaning over the counter and pulling out her phone to check the recipe she'd saved a few days prior. She read through it, frowning at the 2 hour time it would take to make the cookies.

That's too long…

"Someone say they were baking cookies?"

Hitomi looked up from her phone to see Sato and Yaoyorozu entering the kitchen, the two smiling at her.

"Oh! Yeah, I am…"

Sato cracked his knuckles, grinning at her. "What kind?"

Hitomi put her phone away, waving her hands at the two of them as she blushed. "You guys don't need to help me! I can do it myself!"

"Hitomi, you said you needed to sleep early tonight, didn't you?" Yaoyorozu smiled softly at her, placing a hand on her chest. "We don't mind helping if it'll get your cookies done faster." Hitomi saw Yaoyorozu look away, the taller girl beginning to fidget. "Not to mention the learning experience it'll be…"

Hitomi felt herself grin.

Ah. The rich girl wants to try baking.

"Okay. Thanks for your help!" she exclaimed.

A/N: Sorry to anyone who was hoping Hitomi would be in the Shie Hassaikai arc 😅 I never planned for her to be part of that, and the class birthday trip is kind of what serves to replace that in Hitomi's storyline. Again, when it comes to what I like writing I personally enjoy romance over action so yea

ALSO I know y'all are probably wondering what the conversation between Hitomi and Bakugou was about. It will be addressed soon! But with the way I initially structured the original drafts, it ended up being in a later chapter instead of being directly after 76. Hope it's okay to ask you guys to have a bit of patience regarding that cliffhanger, I promise it'll be brought back up :)