"I'm going to miss you kids!" Gina cried, trapping Uraraka and me in a bear hug. 

"Keep up with your training," Gunhead said bashfully, quickly turning around so we couldn't see him. "Come visit us sometime... not that I want you to or anything..."

The man sniffled and I couldn't help but think of a classic Tsundere.

"We will!" Uraraka chirped, both of us finally breaking out of Gina's suffocating hug.

"Thanks for having us," I replied, smiling shyly. "I learned a lot."

"It was great having you!" Gina exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "Call me if you ever need anything!"

After we finished saying our goodbyes, Uraraka and I got onto the train, dragging our luggage with us. We quickly found some seats and sat down, waving to Gina and Gunhead through the window as the train began pulling out of the station. We continued waving until we could no longer see them, both of us sinking into our seats with a sigh.

Both of us were absolutely exhausted, but I was more mentally drained than anything. Although my bruises from training were still fresh and sore, the pain barely registered. My brain was way too occupied with the events that had transpired in the hospital. Nobody except Tenya and I knew what had happened there, and honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted anyone else to know. 

"Tora, are you listening?"

I flinched when I heard my name, quickly snapping my gaze to Uraraka. She was giving me a concerned look, her head tilted slightly to one side.

"Sorry, what did you say?" I replied, laughing awkwardly. "I zoned out for a second there."

"I said, are you ready for final exams?" Uraraka asked. "We won't have much time to study for them when we get back to school."

I shrugged. "I wouldn't say I'm ready, but as long as I don't fail I'll be fine."

"You rely on Midoriya's tutoring way too much," Uraraka sighed, shaking her head. "At least study on your own a little bit."

"Hey!" I protested, crossing my arms. "I'll have you know I study... Sometimes."

"Reading over your class notes once doesn't count."

Both of us burst out into laughter.

~~~~~~~~~~

There was no time to rest when everyone returned from their internships. Aizawa informed us that in addition to our written exams, all of us would be having a practical exam as well. What would we be doing for our practical finals I hear you ask? Pairing up and fighting a teacher, that's what. Seems totally unfair to me, but what could I do? It's not like I make the rules. On top of that, there was a trip to a summer camp on the line for anyone who failed.

Everyone in the class was busy making study groups to prepare for finals and normally I would just study with Midoriya, Uraraka, and Tenya. But things were a little awkward right now, to say the least.  Instead, I got a completely unexpected invitation to a study group.

"Hey Jiji," Kaminari began, leaning up against my desk. "If you're not going to study with Midoriya how about you come study with me? Momo's holding a study group at her place."

I thought about it for a moment before answering with a sigh. "Sure, why the hell not?"

"Great!" Kaminari exclaimed, passing his phone to me. "Give me your number and I'll text you the time and place."

I gave him a suspicious glance. "Why would you need my number? I'll just get Momo's, it is her study group after all." 

"Darn," Kaminari shrugged, chuckling. "I thought that was a smooth way to get a girl's number."

"Fine, you can have my number," I replied, smiling a little as I took his phone. "I have to give you credit for trying to be smooth about it. But seriously, let Momo know I'm coming and text her number to me."

"I'm hurt, you're asking for someone else's number right after I got yours?" Kaminari remarked, pretending to look upset. "How cruel."

I rolled my eyes, passing his phone back to him. "Cry about it."

He grinned, slipping his phone into his pocket and placing both his hands on my desk, leaning on it. "So, what's been going on with you?"

"Nothing," I answered bluntly. "Why?"

"Well," He stalled, giving me a curious look. "You're always hanging out with Iida. You literally never sit at your own desk unless it's during class."

"Butt out," I huffed, unwilling to divulge any details. "It's nothing."

Kaminari's expression changed. He dropped his usual goofy grin and made eye contact with me, lowering his voice.

"I can tell something's up with you two," He stated, his tone completely serious. "I figured you might need someone to talk to, like an impartial third party. If you ever need someone to vent to, I'm here."

I was silent. Part of me wanted to withdraw, to figure out my feelings and move on myself. But there was another part of me that wanted to grab the branch that Kaminari was reaching out to me.

 "Just think about it," Kaminari advised, standing up straight. "Anyway, I'll text you later. See ya'."

~~~~~~~~~~

After Kaminari invited me to Momo's study group I noticed him hanging around me a lot more. It started small, with a simple "hey" in the mornings and saying goodbye to me after school. But before I knew it we were walking home together and now we were going to Momo's place together for her group study session.

"I have never felt so out-of-place before in my entire life." Kaminari said, marvelling at the extravagant mansions that lined the street we were currently walking.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes at him. "How do you think I feel? I'm decked out in thrifted clothes and wearing sneakers that look like they're falling apart and are one size too small."

Kaminari turned his head to look at me, his eyes doing a quick once-over of my outfit.

"Looks pretty good for something you thrifted," Kaminari praised my outfit, nodding once in approval. "What about your jewelry?"

I held up my wrist, jangling the chains and metal bands of my bracelets together. "I thought everyone in class knew that I made my own jewelry."

"Well yeah," Kaminari shrugged, but before he could finish his sentence someone else spoke up.

"Hey guys!" Jirou called out, jogging to catch up with us.

Kaminari and I slowed down for her, waiting for her to catch up before we continued walking.

"This sure is a fancy neighborhood," Jirou sighed, taking a look around. "I feel like I stick out here."

"We were just saying the same thing." I chuckled, pointing to my ripped jeans. "I was just telling Kaminari about how most my closet is thrifted."

"Nothing bad about that, I do the same thing. I mean have you seen how much brand new ripped jeans cost?" Jirou asked, causing both of us to shudder. "Anyway, you two sure have been hanging out a lot."

Jirou's gaze turned to me and I shrugged. "I guess so."

"Jiji's pretty chill," Kaminari butt in, slinging an arm over my shoulder. "We've just been hanging out a little more lately."

"Well usually you're with Iida," Jirou said, twirling one of her earphone jacks around her finger. "I was just wondering why I haven't seen you hanging out with him and Midoriya."

"Don't wanna' talk about it." I blurted out, inwardly cringing at how rude I sounded as I shrugged Kaminari's arm off of me.

"Anyway!" Kaminari exclaimed, dispersing the awkward silence. "I think Yaoyorozu's place is right ahead of us!"

Kaminari ran ahead of us and Jirou gave me a look before jogging after him. "Slow down you idiot!"

I couldn't help but flinch at her gaze. It almost looked like she had glared at me. But I thought we were on good terms, I didn't think I had done anything to upset her.

Shaking my head, I ran after them. I guess I'd have to ask what that was about later.

~~~~~~~~~~

"How about we take a short break," Momo suggested, snapping the textbook she was holding shut. "I'll bring us some tea and snacks."

"Thank God..." Kaminari groaned, slumping over onto the table.

"You can say that again," I agreed, leaning back in my chair beside Kaminari. "My brain needs a break."

"Thanks, Momo!" Mina chirped.

Momo then left the room to get our refreshments, leaving Kaminari, Jirou, Sero, Ojirou, Mina, and me in the massive dining hall by ourselves. The silence between us was a little awkward, but I hadn't interacted with most of the people in this room more than once. I've teamed up with Momo before for class, and Ojirou helped me out in the sports festival, but I've never really spoken to Mina or Sero. They were usually hanging around Bakugo at school and everyone knows I can't stand him.

Mina couldn't take the silence any longer. "So Jiji, what's up with you and Iida?"

I couldn't help but cringe. There was something about people I wasn't close with using my nickname that rubbed me the wrong way. I know everyone in class knew my nickname, but unless we're good friends I would rather people call me Tora.

"Nothing." I replied, crossing my arms.

"Well you've been hanging out with Kaminari a lot lately," Mina continued. "What's up with that?"

I took a deep breath. "Am I not allowed to hang out with him or something?"

"No, of course not," Mina answered. "You just never used to hang out with him because you were always with Iida and Midoriya."

My chair scraped against the floor, making a screeching sound as I stood up. I slammed my hands onto the table as I got up, causing Mina to flinch.

"Last time I checked we weren't buddies," I barked, picking my bag up off the floor and swinging it onto my shoulder. "It's none of your business who I decide to talk to, so would you please butt out."

I gathered all my books and shoved them into my bag before walking away, stomping towards the door in my socks and passing Momo on the way out.

"Jiji, where are you going?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Sorry, something came up," I replied, attempting a polite smile. "Thanks for having me over, I'll see you at school."

I walked past her, somehow managing to find my way back to the front door. A maid stood by the door and held out my sweater as I got closer. I snatched the sweater from her and threw it on, mumbling a 'thanks' as I pulled on my hideous pair of old sneakers. I bowed slightly to the maid in thanks before I bolted out the door, determined to make sure I was out of there before anyone could follow me.

The walk home was going to be long but I was a little thankful for that. I needed to calm down and clear my head a bit. I'm sure Mina didn't mean to upset me, but I still couldn't help but feel angry.

Why was it that the moment I stopped hanging out with Tenya, everyone suddenly wanted to talk to me? It felt shallow. People who I have never spoken with were now acting like they knew me so they could squirm their way into my life for a sliver of gossip. Tenya and I were seen as a duo, so now that we weren't together everyone noticed.

Realizing that made me so irritated.

I want to be my own person and I want people to talk to me because they're interested in me. The people around me aren't what makes me who I am, and feeling like I'm not being seen as an individual is frustrating.

Maybe it was for the best that I stayed away from Tenya and the others for a little. The people around me are all so impressive and talented that they make me seem insignificant. Was I jealous of them? Maybe a little, but they deserve their talent and strength. They all work so hard and have had goals that drive them for years. I decided on this path no more than a year ago.

I would continue to support my friends of course, but maybe putting distance between us would be a good thing. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in the shadow of the people around me.

A/N

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I know updates have been really spaced out but I've been super busy. Just know that this book isn't on hiatus, I have a plan for it, but not much time to write. Anyway, the next chapter will be #50 which is super exciting! I'm thinking of doing some one shots soon to celebrate both reaching over 100k reads and chapter 50, but we'll see.