"DON'T forget to study for your midterms", yamada announced as the bell rang.

july had quickly ended, bringing them into august. the first semester was ending at the start of october. midterms were in september, meaning the students had to start studying.

some had already started their internship, while others waited a bit.

"where are you going for your internship?", hoshimi asked ashido.

"I'm going to a few art schools. I'm debating whether to be an art teacher or a professional painter", ashido replied. "how about you?"

"ah, I'm going to the nearby hospital to get a feel on being a doctor's assistant. how many midterms are you taking this year?"

"I only have literature, child development, and art, so it'll be pretty easy this year. you?"

"ah. I have physics, human physiology, and preceptorship in health. plus child development", hoshimi whined.

"gurl, this is why I didn't and I don't", ashido laughed.

"anyways, see you later. I'm meeting up with tomura", hoshimi said.

"how are y'all still not dating?!", ashido questioned.

"I wanted to wait until midterms were over, ya know?"

"I guess. see you later!"

hoshimi waved goodbye as she waited outside shigaraki's class.

"hey", hoshimi smiled.

"how're you?", shigaraki asked, trying to hold hoshimi's hand.

after months, shigaraki had finally built up the courage to hold hoshimi's hand without asking or being awkward about it.

"fine, you?"

"I....it's been fine", shigaraki replied.

hoshimi tried not to pry as they walked to lunch.

»»————-　★　————-««

"yeah, I just got here", hoshimi said, walking into the hospital she's interning at.

"okay, good luck. I'll pick you up after", shigaraki said over the phone.

"yep! see you soon!!", hoshimi said, smiling.

hoshimi walked in and checked herself in. apparently shinso somehow heard that she was interning in the hospital near u.a. he recommended his father as he was a doctor there and thus, hoshimi was interning under dr. shinso.

"welcome. you're miss aizawa, right?", a man who looked very much like shinso said.

he had the purple hair and eye bags that shinso had. except his were way worse.

"nice to meet you sir! you can just call me hoshimi since most people call my dad that", hoshimi smiled, shaking the man's hand.

"well then hoshimi, you can just call me hajime, since you know my son as shinso", the male said, smiling.

"will do, sir—I mean mr. hajime!"

hajime just chuckled. "now, I just wanted to confirm that you're interested in becoming an er doctor?", he asked.

"yes sir! I really want to help those that are severely hurt. and despite me being somewhat obnoxious, I work very well under pressure", hoshimi said.

"very well. I'll first show you around, then let you help some patients", hajime said, stuffing his hands in his white coat.

hoshimi nodded as she followed the man around the hospital. there were many floors and many rooms for her to remember.

"alright. this is patient #309. she's in her early 80s and was admitted because she fell down from the stairs", hajime explained.

"your job will be to check on her and make sure everything's running smoothly. think you can handle it?", he asked.

"yes sir!", hoshimi said as hajime just smiled and opened the door. he waited outside, peeping through the little window to make sure everything was fine.

"good afternoon ma'am, my name is aizawa hoshimi. I'm very sorry for bothering you, but I'll be making sure everything's okay. I'll leave as soon as I'm done".

the old woman turned to look at hoshimi. she was just laying in bed, looking out the window.

"young lady...could you perhaps...stay for a while longer? it's been a while...since I've had someone to talk to", the old woman requested.

hoshimi thought about it for a moment. hajime was out there waiting, but perhaps talking to the woman for a while wouldn't hurt. after all, talking to them could help mentally.

"of course ma'am. how've you been doing?", hoshimi asked, checking her cast to make sure nothing was out of place.

"ah. well, it could be better", the woman said.

"really? is something the matter, ma'am?"

"oh, nothing to concern you with. I just miss the younger ages, you know? it's hard...being old", the old lady said.

hoshimi just smiled. "indeed. but I'm sure throughout your life, you've had many glorious moments. and plus, it's never too late to have some fun", hoshimi said.

the old woman chuckled. "you humor me, child. I can barely walk anymore".

"well ma'am, nothing's impossible. I can help you walk again", hoshimi said.

it was bold claim, and an even bolder promise.

"r-really?!"

"it'll take a while, but I'm very sure. based on the description of your fall, it shouldn't take longer than a few months".

"t-thank you!! thank you!!", the old woman said, almost on the verge of tears.

"don't worry ma'am. I'll try my hardest to help you", hoshimi said, smiling. "although I'm on an internship, so I have to go now. I'll come back to visit tomorrow!"

the old woman waved goodbye as hoshimi saw hajime waiting outside for her.

"well? how'd it go?"

"very good sir. also, I hope this isn't too much, but I was wondering if I could help the old woman", hoshimi requested.

it was ambitious of a mere college student to even suggest of taking care of a real patient.

"sure! there's nothing better than learning from real experience after all", hajime smiled.

"thank you so much sir! I won't let you down", hoshimi said as hajime started walking her out.

"no worries. see you tomorrow hoshimi!", hajime said as hoshimi got in shigaraki's car.

"so, how was it?", shigaraki asked.

"it went very well! hajime, shinso's father, is very nice. and I met this old woman, who's going to be my patient from now on", hoshimi joyfully said.

"glad you had fun".

"thanks for picking me up by the way. how did yours go?", hoshimi asked.

"ah. well father ran through everything with me. it seemed pretty simple. I'm currently being mentored by some older guy named daichi".

"are you having fun?"

"sure".

hoshimi just chuckled. "can we go get some ice cream?"

"you know I never turn down your requests", shigaraki replied, as he drove to a nearby ice cream shop.

"thanks tomura!"

"you're welcome, hoshi".