I stretched my body out and opened my eyes groggily before smiling. It's Friday! The week had shot by. It felt as though I hadn't made the best progress. But I was having fun doing it! Each time I practiced Shatter, I'd gotten closer and closer to my end goal. In fact, tiny little cracks would appear sometimes. Then, after lunch, I'd mirror Father's quirk and we'd race to erase each other's quirks first. We ended the day on some quirkless sparring. My parents both seemed pretty pleased with how I'd been doing. So I guess I should be happy too!

Things had been pretty awkward between me and Katsu. And I'm not entirely sure why. I know that I fell asleep in his room and he put me to bed. But after that night, after me stupidly thinking that I had made some sort of breakthrough and gotten closer to him, he pushed me away and treated me even colder than he did before. We're meant to be cooking together tonight. How fun...

"Morning, Hinami! Sleep well?"

"Yup. What about you?"

"Like a baby!" Mina grinned, running conditioner and a brush through her wild pink hair. She had a crazy hair care routine.

The rest of the day went pretty normally. We had our morning jog, ate breakfast together - Katsuki was still making me food every morning despite his sudden standoffish behaviour - then trained.

"Ready, young Hinami?" My Uncle boomed.

"You got it." I took my stance and prepared my quirk. Today felt different, and I had a good feeling. "Shatter!"

My Uncle's outline sharpened for a second, before cracks swept over his figure. He didn't shatter completely, but it was a step in a very good direction. Now to get him back. I flicked the mirror upwards, so that he was no longer in the frame, and the effect subdued slightly. Toshi attempted to move, but it only made the cracks worse, a gross crushing sound coming from his joints. I didn't miss his wince. With a small smile, Father activated his own quirk and Uncle went back to normal.

"That was good."

"Brilliant! What progress you've made! And you were right; it doesn't hurt one bit."

"Are you just saying that?"

"Of course not! I'm almost offended you'd say such a thing. It's an odd sensation, but not a painful one at all." I breathed a sigh of relief. If it was hurting him, I wouldn't want to use him as a guinea pig anymore. I wouldn't be able to practice on anyone. Morally, anyway.

"Do you reckon you could do it again?" Father asked, throwing back his head and putting in some eye drops. It had been a long couple of days for him and his quirk. He called it 'good practice for him too'.

"You bet!"

We tried the move a few more times, each time with similar results. The cracks had been getting smaller each time as I tried to put my uncle back to normal, but I hadn't managed to completely reverse the effects yet.

"Just one more try, and I think I'll have it." I pleaded with them as my Uncle practically dragged me in to have lunch.

"You've gone from cursing Aizawa for making us have morning jogs, to being forced into stopping your training. I feel like we should be proud of your progress." Kiri chuckled as I sat down, a sullen look on my face.

"I was just getting the hang of it! I was so close! I feel like by the time I come back after lunch, I'll have lost my streak, or forgotten how to do it, or something like that..."

"What makes you think that? You've had no problems so far today. It feels like you're purposely thinking of ways you could fuck up." Katsuki grunted as he sat next to me.

"Oh, here comes Katsuki. We all know what wonderful advice he gives, and how well things went the last time I listened to him." I announced to the rest of the group sarcastically. He seemed surprised at my response.

"What's gotten into you?"

"I could ask you the same question." I replied. Everyone looked around at each other uncertainly.

"Uh... Something happen with you two?" Todo leaned forward, his eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"Ask him. I'm only miffed because he's been treating me shittily recently. Well... More so than usual, anyway."

"No I haven't!" He snapped. I ran my tongue along my teeth, then started eating my lunch. "What does 'more than usual' mean? I'm a great friend!" I recalled how he had threatened to blast my face off as soon as I said good morning to him yesterday and carried on silently eating my food. When he saw he would not be getting a response, he stopped glaring at me, growled angrily, then started to eat his own food. Everyone shared another quick glance before splitting off into their own conversations. I had hoped that my outburst would have made Katsuki realise that he was being different, apologise maybe? Who was I kidding? He wouldn't do any of that. I stayed quiet, focusing on my food, trying to ignore the people around me.

As we all started to make our way back out to continue our training, Katsuki caught a hold of my arm and pulled me back.

"Good luck." Then he stalked away. Was that his way of showing that he was sorry? Was he really being nice, or just trying to appease me? I shook my head empty of all Katsuki Bakugo thoughts and made my way back over to my usual spot, where only my father was waiting for me.

"Where's Uncle?"

"He had to lie down for a little while. He's coming on with a cough." We nodded at each other knowingly. "He told me to tell you not to worry. He would have been like that even if he wasn't training with you." He added cryptically. All Might knows me so well.

"Okay then. What should I practice now?I wanted to carry on with Shatter, really. Then again, it's probably best to relax my quirk and spar for a while."

"Then let's do that. Come punch me." He started tying his black hair up in a messy bun, a smug look on his face. I threw my jacket off and grinned.

"You'll soon regret saying that."

"You two are ridiculous!" My dad scolded us as he dabbed at my bloody, swollen lip, and Father held an ice pack against his nose.

"In my defence, your husband was the one that told me to punch him." I stuck my tongue out teasingly.

"Well in MY defence, your daughter said something along the lines of 'don't hold back, because I won't be', if I remember correctly." He gave me a mischievous smile. Dad whacked his arm.

"I can't believe you two!" So, we may have taken our sparring a little too far. Again. Almost every time we fought, we'd both end up pretty battered. We can't help it! We always get too into the fight and forget that we're only meant to be having a friendly match. And after being on such a solid streak of only being injured an appropriate amount this week, we had done it again. But it's made me a pretty good fighter, so I don't complain. In fact, it's some of the most fun I have with my father.

"Every time! I'd scold your father, seeing as he's the adult here, but you're honestly just as bad as him! In fact, I think you're worse sometimes! Hinami Hata, wipe that grin off of your face!" He raised his voice. I jumped slightly, then hung my head. Father copied suit. With a sigh and a shake of his head, Dad lifted my chin, dabbed at my swollen lip once more, then gestured for me to go. I stood up, kissed his cheek, then left.

"Love you both. Good luck, Dadzawa." I waved at them cheekily before running out, giggling to myself. As I was running, I bumped into Katsuki. His eyes went to the plaster covering a cut on my jaw.

"I was just coming to find you. Where have you been? What happened to you?"

"I didn't realize this was an investigation." I shrugged him off and started to walk towards the kitchen. We had previously agreed to make chicken teriyaki donburi bowls, with sticky rice and vegetables. I would be doing the chicken, Katsuki would be doing the rice and vegetables.

We got to work, a thick silence looming over us.

"What's going on with you?" I asked quietly.

"Huh?" He looked up at me with furrowed brows.

"You heard me."

"Nothing's going on with me." I raised my eyebrow and went back to mixing the sauce. "Okay, maybe I've been a bit mean."

"A bit?" I laughed in disbelief. He stopped chopping up carrots and peered at me. "You've been... So cold. You've been pushing me away."

"No I haven't." He said in a low voice, going back to his chopping. I rolled my eyes, and put the chicken bits in the sauce. "Have I?" As I poured the mixture into the pan, I hummed and nodded. He didn't reply. The sound of the knife hitting the chopping board rhythmically seemed to get louder. With nothing else to do for a while, I made my way over to the other side of the kitchen and sat on the counter, dangling my legs like a child. Whenever me and my dads cooked, I would sit on the counter and steal tidbits of food as we went along. I had done it since I was a little kid. I watched Katsuki closely as he finished chopping the vegetables and put them on to cook.

He was wearing a tank top, and I could see his back and shoulder muscles rippling with his every movement. It was almost mesmerising, honestly. As I wondered what the other side of him looked like, he turned around.

"Sitting on the counter? Really?" I stuck my tongue out at him. "Real mature." He snarled, walking over to me.

"Says you. You're the one being... Odd for no reason."

"Odd?" I thought for a moment before deciding to just come clean.

"Me and you... I thought I was making progress, you know. The other night was... We hugged and I thought... Well. It's whatever. You clearly decided that you didn't want to be close to me or anything, so-"

"Shut up."

"Wh-"

"I said shut up. You're rambling." We locked eyes. His ruby eyes were filled with passion, and something else that I couldn't quite pin down. "It's not that I don't want to be... Close to you. I don't actually hate you or anything."

"Then what is it? Because I don't like you acting like this. What's wrong?" When he looked away, I pleaded. "You're not getting rid of me that easily so please, just tell me. I want to help you if I can."

"I'm... Embarrassed. I'm embarrassed, okay?" He yelled, a pink hue appearing on his cheeks and the tips of his ears. Cute.

"About?"

"What happened the other night. You fell asleep on me, and I tucked you in, and. I don't know. You're so different to anyone I've met before. I guess I don't like that I can't figure you out." As he was talking, he had been getting closer to me. I slid my hands up his chest and over his shoulders. One of his hands was resting on my waist, the other was gently cupping my face, his thumb caressing a graze on my cheekbone. "I can't figure out my feelings. I just want to..."

"Katsuki..." I breathed as he leant forward. My breath caught in my throat. As I pulled him in closer, we suddenly both jumped.

"The food!" He yelled, sprinting over to the hob.

Luckily, nothing had burnt. In fact, it had cooked to perfection - if I do say so myself.

"You two have really outdone yourselves!" Sero gasped, shovelling rice into his mouth.

"This is so amazing." Mina agreed. I smiled and sat down in my usual seat next to Katsu.

"Glad we could impress, eh Katsu-kun." He smirked as I nudged him playfully.

"Of course we did amazing. I'm the best." Everyone groaned and rolled their eyes, despite all also having big smiles on their faces.

"The food could be crap for all I care. I'm just glad you two are friends again." Kiri said in a motherly tone.

"Shut up shitty hair! We were never not friends!" Katsu yelled in response, before correcting himself. "I mean, we were never friends! I mean- fuck!" We all laughed and everything felt normal again. Except for the fact that... Well, I think we almost kissed earlier... It didn't seem like Katsuki was going to mention it again, so I didn't want to bring it up and make him feel awkward again.

I mean, we're going home tonight. So everything will probably go back to how it was before anyway.

After dinner, which went down a treat with everybody, we were all sent to our rooms to pack up our stuff. My phone made a zapping noise, like crackling electricity. It was a text from Kami.

Walking Charger: Hey dude

What's up

Walking Charger: u good

w/ Bakugo

Yeah

There was a misunderstanding

Walking Charger: ew big words

what was it

Can't tell anyone ab this...

He told me his secret, so it was only fair I told Kami mine, right. Even though he's a massive dumbass, I'd trust him with my life, and he's one of my best friends.

I texted him a brief version of the events from the past week with me and Katsu. When he took a minute to reply, I started to get worried.

Walking Charger: dudeeeee

so u like him

I guess so

Maybe it's a little early for that rn

Walking Charger: ic

sounds like he likes u tho

Idk yet

Walking Charger: mmmm well anyways u 2 would b cute

Whatever

Get packing scrub

Walking Charger: yes sir

and dw ur secret is safe w/ me

I read over his words again. We would be cute... That's not the first time we've been told that. I put my hands against my warm cheeks, shook my head, then carried on packing. Imagine the chaos if my dads found out I liked Katsuki Bakugo. I think all hell would break loose. He isn't exactly my father's favourite student.

That sent me into a spiral. Who would my parents want me to date in the class? Todo or Yaomomo maybe? They're both super smart. But Todo is off limits, even if I did like him, and I'm pretty sure I saw Yaomomo flirting with that Jirou girl. Tenya? He comes from a long line of successful heros, he's super smart, and he knows his way around his quirk. Everything just fits into place for him. I shook my head. No way could I see him in any other way than an annoying, nerdy big brother.

"What are you thinking about?" Asked Mina, giggling at my serious expression.

"Who my parents would want me to date. I'm not sure they'd think anyone in the world is good enough for me." I laughed back.

"I'm sure whoever you choose to date will be fine. If you love them, I'm sure your mum and dad will love them too!" I opened my mouth to correct her, but simply nodded.

"Yeah." I replied quietly, zipping up my suitcase. "You ready?"

"Yup!" She jumped up, popping her 'p'. "Let's get home!"

We all settled onto the bus quickly, eager to get home. We all sat in the same seats as we did on the way here, which meant that I was next to Katsu again.

"Looking forward to seeing your parents again, Katsu-kun?"

"Yeah, I guess. You?"

"I just want my cat and my own bed back." We shared a quick laugh before my dad started talking.

"You ready to get home, cool kids? Me too! We'll be about three hours. The time is currently seven. Let's rock and roll, Shou!" He pointed to my father, who rolled his eyes, then started the coach.

"You'd better not fall asleep on me again, shit head." Katsu grumbled with crossed arms.

"And you better not cuddle up to me again, stupid hedgehog."

"Stu- Is it too late to swap seats with someone?" Mina turned to us and laughed.

"Play nice you two." Kiri playfully scolded us.

After about twenty minutes, someone at the front of the coach started playing music - probably Dad - and we all started to sing along. It was a fun atmosphere, all of us singing at the top of our lungs, laughing and messing around, singing dumb lines about how much we love each other. Katsu, of course, wasn't joining in.

"Sing along, Katsu-kun. You're the only one."

"I don't sing." He replied stubbornly.

"Just one song? Please?" I dragged out the 'please' and looked at him with big eyes. His cheeks and ears went pink.

"If a good song comes on, I'll join in." I punched the air. The next song that came on was 'Everybody Talks'.

"I love this song!" Me and Kami yelled in sync.

"Finally, someone with some taste got a hold of the aux cable." Katsu grinned. He joined in our singing, although very quietly at first. When it came to the chorus, everyone got substantially louder.

"It started with a whisper!" I couldn't help but smile. Katsuki's voice was pretty terrible, but he had a big grin on his face, and was even throwing his arms about passionately. He looked like he was actually having fun.

"And that was when I kissed her!" I sang back, barely keeping myself from laughing at everyone's reaction to Katsu. By the time the song finished, we were all laughing and smiling, and Katsu had been singing along as loudly - and as badly - as the rest of us.

A couple songs later, a few people started to nod off, so the music was switched off and we all settled down to do our own things. A conversation started up on both of the group chats, and I flicked between them, not paying that much attention. I was too aware of the fact that Katsu had shifted himself slightly closer to me, and his arm was pressed against mine.

"You actually have a decent voice, you know." He muttered. I felt myself blushing.

"Thanks. I'd say the same about you but... You're pretty terrible!" I pffted at his angry expression.

"What the fuck did you just say to me? I'm a gre-"

"Shh!" I put my finger over his lips and gestured to the napping students around us. Then, I realised what I was doing. I was touching his lips. They were soft but firm, and they were warm and smooth and- crap.

"I- uh. S-sorry." I looked away to hide my blush. He grabbed my cheeks and turned my head back to face him.

"We should talk." He said gruffly.

"Now?" I squeaked.

"No. But soon. Now try and get a little sleep in." He let go of me and pushed me gently onto his shoulder. Still blushing profusely, I pulled my legs up to my chest, nuzzled into his warm sugary scent, and closed my eyes. As he put his head on mine and leant into me, I realised how peaceful I felt around him. When he isn't yelling or getting angry, he's wonderfully quiet and relaxing.

I opened my eyes and cocked my head. Where was I? I was laying on the floor of a strange place. Everything was big and empty. 'Did I accidentally activate my quirk in my sleep?' I wondered, remembering the mirror in my pocket. My hand made its way to my pocket, where, sure enough, there was a mirror. So I wasn't in the mirror dimension.

"Hinami Hata. Daughter of Eraserhead and Present Mic. How's that working out for you?" Gasping, I turned around and was faced with a person. He was tall and skinny, had shaggy grey hair, and I couldn't make out his face.

"Who are you?"

"A friend. Even though they'll tell you differently." I looked at him with furrowed brows. "I knew your parents. Well, my master knew them. I never personally had the pleasure."

"You know my dads?"

"No, Hata. I'm talking about your real parents. Your mother was a wonderfully devoted person, from what I hear." I tilted my head to the side in thought.

"What a strange dream this is..." I wondered out loud.

"This isn't a dream. I'm real. This is just in your head, unfortunately. But something tells me it won't be long before we meet in person."

"Who are you?"

"I told you already. I'm a friend." He approached me, and kneeled down to my level. He smelt like ash, but not like cigarettes. "But I could be your worst nightmare." He whispered. My eyes widened and a shiver went through my body.

"What do you want?"

"To warn you. Soon, you'll have to choose a side. It would be wise to choose mine. Not many people are getting this offer." He stood up and turned away from me. "But, I like you, Hata. And my master liked your parents. That fire was a real shame. But I can assure you, villains had nothing to do with their death." My breath hitched in my throat.

"W-what are you-"

"You have a rare opportunity. Don't waste it, Hata. Now, take that worried look off of your pretty little face. Someone's trying to wake you." He turned to me, and I saw a large sadistic grin on his face. "I'll be looking forward to seeing you again." Before I could open my mouth to respond, everything started to dim, and the figure of my new 'friend' faded away into nothingness.

"Hinami!" I snapped my eyes open and sat up straight, breathing heavily. It felt like I had just run a marathon.

"Wh- He- I- My parents-" Everything was so bright, and there were so many voices around me. It was overwhelming. I struggled to catch my breath. I could hear my heart pounding and the blood rushing through my system. It was too loud.

A pair of arms wrapped around me and pulled me close. Something soft was draped over my head, covering my eyes.

"Get everyone off of the coach. I'll sort her out."

"D-D-" I started, putting my shaking hands up to my face.

"Shh. It's okay. I'm here. Breath, remember." My father held his hand over my ear, and pressed the other ear against his chest so that I could hear his heartbeat. I closed my eyes again and focused on the rhythmic beating, trying to match my breathing to its slow pace. Soon, my mind cleared, and my lungs started cooperating again. I'm not sure how long it took.

"You had a bad dream." Father spoke gently. "You started to hyperventilate, and you were murmuring. You scared your friends."
"Sorry..."

"Don't apologise, stupid. What happened? You haven't had a panic attack in months."

"I..." For some reason, I wasn't sure if I should tell him what happened. I mean, it was nothing but a stupid dream. "Just a person... He said that he knew my parents... " We sat in silence for a moment before I took a deep breath and asked a question that I had never even thought of asking before.

"What happened to my parents?" If he said something to do with a fire, I wouldn't be able to write the dream off as nothing.

"I'm not sure. No one is." He replied stiffly. I nodded and slowly took his scarf off of my head,

"I feel better now."

"Good. Then let's go home." I looked out of the windows to see that we were in the car park of UA. My timing was pretty good, then.

"Yeah." I replied breathily. "Let's."