Tamaki was always the first one to class throughout his first and second years at U.A. University, usually arriving a good fifteen minutes early. It was something that his classmates were all aware of and had come to expect throughout their time together, and a point of pride. The first morning of Year Three, though, things were a bit… different.

Living with Nejire full-time instead of just occasionally visiting her dorm or having her over was daunting, to say the least. Their morning rituals had already begun to clash in terms of who preferred to do what in what order, and Tamaki hadn't even considered the idea of utilizing the bathroom at the same time for different things. Despite their sudden relationship status, it was still incredibly awkward to be so close and vulnerable in all aspects of life… but Tamaki knew that it was something he would have to rapidly get used to.

He would also have to adjust to the sudden kisses that came with Nejire's usual hugs, as well as her whispered words of intimacy and praise. It had taken them far longer than Tamaki was used to just to get through breakfast on account of all of the cuddling that had gone on throughout the process. He didn't mind, of course… but the ever-present clock in the back of his mind filled him with anxiety all the same. Eventually, he had lost track of it entirely and the pair had ended up rushing out the door together to get to the first day of homeroom… where all of their classmates and their professor were already waiting.

"'bout time. We thought you were dead!"

Tamaki immediately released the hold he had on Nejire's hand as he entered the classroom, though he had a feeling his timing may have been slightly off. They must have seen it. All of them, including the one who had made the comment- the one he wanted to talk about the situation with the least.

One of two transfer students who had made it through their first two years, Moss Oaks was a Brazilian transplant who wore his heart on his sleeve… or golden mechanical arm, as it were. He was loud, honest to a fault, totally unashamed, and someone most others went to for candid advice… which made Tamaki want to avoid him like the plague when it came to anything to do with romance. If Moss had them figured out already, he would never hear the end of it, and his budding relationship wasn't something he was quite ready to discuss with anyone else yet.

Tamaki met the other man's eyes, staring like a deer in headlights. It was almost as though he was seeing his classmate for the first time despite working together for so long. Moss was quite short, standing at 5'2" on a pair of chrome legs that were currently crossed atop the edge of his desk as he leaned back in his chair. His hair was a shaggy nest of dark blue to match the wide goatee that covered his chin while complimenting his tanned, almost bronze-looking skin. Moss' light blue eyes held a measure of understanding in them, and his gaze set Tamaki at ease with the unspoken agreement that the subject of his relationship with Nejire wouldn't be brought up in public… at least, for a split second.

"Guys! They were totally holding hands!" Mei Hatsume, an excitable young mechanic with loose pink dreadlocks and gleaming yellow eyes pointed out as she leaned from her seat to press into Moss' shoulder. "Called it! They're a thing now! That's why they're late!"

"Well… secret's out, I guess," Nejire said sheepishly.

"H-hado, we don't have to…" Tamaki tried in vain, only to receive a shrug from his partner as she seized his hand once again.

"Why not? We're all friends here anyway, right?"

A noise of either contempt or amusement came from the other transfer student sitting in the corner. Shiv Lazuli, a Scandinavian student who had moved to U.A. in the previous year, was keeping his distance from the rest of the mostly female class. The man had two distinguishing features that made him immediately recognizable in a crowd, the first being the patch covering his left eye, partially hidden by his chin-length white hair streaked with light blue. Perhaps even more noticeable was the silky, almost shimmering white fur that covered the majority of Shiv's body peeking out from beneath his sleeves and up through his collar.

"'grats," one of the other two students, a young woman named Setsuna Tokage, added. She had shoulder-length green hair framing her face, the strands curling gently at the bottom. The placement of her hair around her face drew even more attention to her yellow reptilian eyes that were narrowed to slits. Her expression was unreadable as she briefly flashed her pointed teeth while speaking. "Hope it goes well."

"Don't be such a downer," the final member of the class, Itsuka Kendo chided as she gave Setsuna a glare. "It's nice to see us growing closer as a class, even if it's in interesting and unexpected ways…"

"Perhaps," came a raspy, almost ethereal voice from behind the desk at the front of the room. "Though I was expecting the third of your team to be with you two…"

Professor Ectoplasm- his real name unknown even to his students- stood looming behind the piece of furniture that was comically small by comparison. He wore a simple brown full-length coat cinched together in the middle with a high collar ending in points. The man's face was pulled into an eternal wide grin that complimented his pure white, pupilless eyes. A black mask with a few simple lines upon it completed his look, giving off a very strong, threatening vibe along with his voice. Curiously, none of his students seemed afraid of him despite his foreboding presence.

All eyes in the room turned to Tamaki and Nejire, expecting an answer. Emboldened by having Nejire at his side and squeezing his fingers, Tamaki was the first to speak. Everyone seemed surprised to hear from him instead of his partner… Tamaki included.

"…Togata is… on his way," he said quietly. "He has been having difficulties, since his… situation with Sir Nighteye, and taking odd jobs to stay afloat. So far as we know, he will be here soon. He did contact us this morning."

"Damn," Moss said, letting his mechanical feet drop to the floor with a harsh clank as he leaned forward. "Mirio's a stand-up guy. He doesn't deserve this shitty situation, no matter what the fallout with Nighteye was about. I think we're all worried about him at this point. He's barely even been returning texts…"

"He hasn't reached out just to check in all summer," Itsuka added with a nod. "That's unlike him. You two would know best- is there anything we can do to help?"

"If there is, he sure as hell isn't going to tell us," Setsuna grumbled. "What can you tell us while he's out of the room?"

"Not much," Nejire jumped in as she lingered before the other students with Tamaki. "We… do know a bit more than the rest of you, but it's not a situation we can discuss openly. Please try to understand, and just… be patient with him? That's all we can really ask. He's going through a lot right now."

"His mentor's death weighs upon him," Shiv commented without bothering to look at Nejire. "We spoke once over the summer, during a chance encounter. He seemed entirely different from last year."

"Yes," Tamaki confirmed. "He does…"

Mirio Togata made his way into the academic tower at high speed, well aware that he was already late for class. Just getting back to campus had been an ordeal, and he was exhausted from both lack of sleep due to worry and the number of things on his mind before the journey had even begun. Upon reaching the lobby, he had to pause- he had already forgotten where the new homeroom for Year Three was supposed to be. So much had gone on that he hadn't even bothered to double-check the syllabus for the course, and by the time he had dug it out of his bag, he realized he simply could've sent a text to either Tamaki or Nejire and asked.

With a sigh, Mirio wiped his hand down the side of his face and put the paper away, feeling incredibly tense. While arriving a bit late would be no issue with Professor Ectoplasm, he knew that the others were already asking questions about him. He could feel the eyes on his back whenever he made brief appearances around the dormitory tower and blew off his classmates in a rush to go and get something done. Just a year ago, he was beloved by all and top of the class. At the start of Year Three, Mirio was a constant concern for everyone around him and at rock bottom. It wasn't a sensation he enjoyed at all.

Deciding not to linger any longer, he made his way for the staircase and began hurriedly climbing the steps. By the time Mirio got to the second landing, he realized that in his frenzied rush to get back to campus and head to class he had entirely ignored his desperate need to pee. Despite being a few floors below his destination, Mirio pushed open the door to the second floor and strode into the hallway in search of a bathroom. Upon finding one just to his left, he made is way inside and froze in the doorway upon hearing a familiar noise.

The unmistakable sound of someone throwing up came from one of the nearby stalls. Mirio tensed up and strode forward without hesitation as he tried to find the source.

"Hello…?"

Another retching sound followed by coughing was his answer, and he soon managed to pinpoint which stall was responsible. Katsuki was on his knees and leaned over the toilet bowl within, hanging his head and seemingly unaware of Mirio's presence. The older boy knocked on the side of the stall to get is attention, and Katsuki looked back over his shoulder.

"…I'm fine…"

Mirio couldn't help but roll his eyes as he removed his backpack and set it down beside the stall.

"You don't sound it. Are you sick?"

Katsuki took a moment to breathe as he turned back toward the toilet.

"…I don't know," he admitted as his stomach churned and he closed his eyes. "I think it's… something else."

"Stress?" Mirio suggested. "We probably shouldn't talk here, but is it about… you know. The big thing?"

"…yeah," Katsuki let on. "Yeah, it is. Shouldn't you be in class?"

"Shouldn't you?" Mirio countered as he leaned on the side of the stall. "Some things are more important, like checking in on friends. I'm sure first-day nerves aren't doing you any favors."

"…we're not friends," Katsuki denied. "We barely know each other, and you didn't come here to check on me unless Mineta sent you in after bothering me."

"Fine, fine, I came here to pee," Mirio admitted. "But I'm not just gonna leave you like this. The three of us are here for you and Midoriya if you need us. In fact, our entire class is supposed to be taking on a pretty big role for all of you this year."

"What?" Katsuki asked as he slowly got to his feet.

"…forget I said anything," Mirio dismissed as he walked out of the stall and toward a urinal. "Are you sure you're good to stand?"

"…I'll make it work," Katsuki snarled as he flushed the toilet and headed over to the sink. "I have to get back to class. Aizawa is probably gonna give me a ton of shit for just walking out…"

"You might be surprised," Mirio offered from his spot at one of the urinals. "He's got a reputation, sure, but he also gets it. I'd suggest just being honest with him. If you show that you care, he'll feel like he has a reason to care. If you don't… it might not end well."

Katsuki washed his hands and took a few deep breaths, feeling rather annoyed by the advice. He did care, and his efforts throughout class should be more than enough to prove it once things got going.

"…yeah. Whatever. I'm leaving."

"Wait!" Mirio called as he zipped up his pants, only to turn around and find the bathroom door swinging closed. "Damn it…"

With a sigh, Mirio went to wash his hands and contemplate his next move. Somehow heading up to class didn't seem like a priority anymore.

Author's Note:

Their paths cross, however briefly. It'll happen more and more in time…

-RD