Author's Note: In Japanese culture, surnames are the proper form of address, while first names are reserved for those who are very close, usually close friends or lovers. This is important to note when observing the relationship between Itsuka Kendo and (F/N) (L/N).

The boys and girls involved were punished when things came to light the next morning. The younger ones receiving probation while those eldest amongst them were taken by the police to be transferred into juvenile correction houses. A doctor came to assess the extent of any physical injuries. A handful of the perpetrators had some scratches and bruises. (L/N) suffered from a broken arm and a concussion. Kendo had five broken ribs.

They were kept in isolation for a few days. For their own safety, Ms. Sasaki had said. Afterwards, he had tried to approach Kendo to apologize for what he'd done, but she became aloof. Distant. She was always surrounded by other children at all times of the day, and when he tried to get close several of them would stand and prevent him from getting any closer. 

Perhaps she just needed time. After all, a nervous tension had filled the gaps the expelled children had left. It would take time before things would return to normal. So he sat and he waited. One week passed. Then two. He thought she would have come to see him after a few weeks, but his arm was fully healed and free of the sling and he still had yet to hear from her. But of course, ribs take much longer to heal than a broken arm. She must still be recovering. At least, that's what he told himself. But after three months they still hadn't spoken.

He must have scared her. Maybe she thought he would hurt her again if alone with him. All he wanted to do was apologize and for things to go back to the way they used to be. He decided that if she would not see him in person, he would write her a letter. A letter that told her how sorry he was and how much he missed her. How much he needed her in his life. He sealed it in a plain white envelope and asked Ms. Sasaki to deliver it to her.

"Itsuka?" The woman asked. "Oh, you mean Kendo. I'm sorry, but she's no longer here. You see, she was adopted by a nice young couple. Well off, too. How long ago? Well, they filed for her adoption about a month ago. Of course, she had to pack her things, but she's been gone for about two weeks now."

One month? But she'd only been gone two weeks, which meant for two weeks she knew she would be leaving. Why didn't she say goodbye? Why did she leave him without saying goodbye? He knew he scared her, but... they were friends. He thought they were friends. Three years. And she knew for two weeks. Why did she leave him without saying goodbye? Why did she leave him without...? Why did she leave him?

It was dark without her light. No, it had just always been dark. A white cloth blindfold covering his eyes. His life had always been dark. That night he sat with his legs dangling off his bed, his hands resting in his lap holding onto a small stuffed bear too nice to have belonged to the home. Wisps of white smoke escaped from behind his blindfold, briefly illuminating the dark room before disappearing into the ether, leaving him once more in the dark. Just like her.

"What do you want?"

The Sports Festival had concluded just a little over an hour ago. There was an awards ceremony and All Might had made a grand appearance, draping a bronze medal over his neck as he stood on a podium like a show dog. He'd lingered in the showers, the medal finding its place in the locker room trash as he left. He found her waiting for him just outside, eyes guiltily downcast, unable to look at him. She whispered something about hoping they could talk, to which he reluctantly agreed. They found themselves sitting across from each other in a corner of Lunch Rush's café, the other students passing them by, filling their bellies and talking cheerfully about the day's events.

"I-I... uh..." Itsuka bit her lip uncomfortably. "H-How have you been?"

His brow furrowed in response, head turning away from her ever so slightly.

"Sorry." She said hastily. "I don't know why I... To be honest I don't really know what to say."

"Then we're of the same mind." (F/N) said, moving to leave. "We have nothing to discuss."

"Wait!" She cried, desperately reaching out to stop him. "I... please, just... don't leave."

A dark look flashed across his face. It was brief, barely lasted even half a second, but it was there. Regardless, he sat back down.

"I'm sorry." She said. "I hurt you, and I'm sorry. I never should have left things the way I did, and if I could go back in time and change things, I would."

"There's nothing to be gained dealing with hypotheticals." (F/N) said. "What happened, happened. There is no point dwelling on it."

"But... aren't you mad at me?" Itsuka asked.

"No." (F/N) said simply. "Why would I be?"

"Because," She said incredulously, "I... I hurt you."

"If I recall, I'm the one who hurt you."

"You know that's not what I mean." Itsuka said. "You were my best friend, and I left without even saying goodbye. You should be furious with me. So why aren't you?"

(F/N) gave her an inquisitive look. "Do you want me to be mad at you?"

"I... I don't know." Itsuka said quietly. "It's what I deserve."

(F/N) sighed and hung his head, bangs falling over his face. "I'm not angry with you." He told her. "I was never angry with you. All you ever were, was kind."

"How can you say that after what I did?"

"Because it's true." He replied. "No one ever cared enough to stay before. No one except for you. And I know I didn't make it easy. But if I was ever cold or... or distant, it's only because I never expected anyone to stay as long as you did. So, thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?" Itsuka cried. "Why don't you hate me?"

His expression softened to almost one of pity. Leaning forward, he reached across the table and gently wrapped one of her hands in his own. "I think," he said carefully, "that you want me to hate you for leaving. But you weren't the first person to promise me that you would stay. You were just the first person I believed. And that... that's on me. But you taught me an important lesson, I think. The very same lesson the other children tried to teach me that night."

Tears fell freely from her eyes now, her guilt sharpening the words he spoke, so they cut at her heart. "(F/N)..."

"No." He said, releasing her hand. "I will always be grateful for what you did for me. Itsuka and (F/N) will always be friends. But I am (L/N), and you are Kendo. And (L/N) and Kendo have nothing more to discuss."