Jirou: *crying* It's all my fault...- It's the only thing Jirou had said since she called Aizawa Sensei.

She was sitting in the waiting room, Kaminari had already been admitted to the ER. She was holding the Pikachu plushie tight, no force in the universe could win against the grip she had on the little yellow toy. Her tears flowed down her cheeks and fell like raindrops over the floor. She was still covered by the red chequered shirt of the blonde, that simple piece of clothing was enough to keep her warm, not only literally; but metaphorically. That shirt still had his scent and that gave Jirou hope and certainty that everything would be okay.

The doors of the ER open wide, and the tired-looking teacher arrives with Recovery Girl by his side.

Aizawa: Jirou!!! Are you okay?! Where's Kaminari?- He asked her. The purple-haired girl said nothing, she didn't even looked up. She only pointed her finger towards the ER, telling them the doctors were already treating him.

Recovery Girl: I'll go ahead, let's hope It's not too bad.- The old lady said.

Aizawa: Alright.- Recovery Girl entered the ER looking for the doctors treating the electric guy. Aizawa looked back at Jirou and kneeled to her level, placing his right hand on her shoulder.

Aizawa: Tell me what happened...-He said with a soft voice

Jirou:  *crying* It's all my fault...-She was a broken record at this point.

Aizawa: Jirou, I can't help you two if you don't tell me.

Jirou was reluctant, her face was swollen and her eyes hurt from crying for so long nonstop. She tried calming down to give her teacher a proper answer.

Jirou: W-We were on t-the store a-and t-this villain came in and we a-attack him, t-then we left b-but the villain escaped a-and he charged into K-Kaminari with full f-force and then...- Tears started to overflow once again. Aizawa didn't understand half of the story, but he knew that whatever happened was just an unfortunate incident.

Aizawa: It's alright Jirou, you didn't do anything wrong.- But Kyoka said otherwise, she broke down right there, launching into his teacher's arms and hugging him in despair.

Jirou: IT'S MY FAULT!!! It's all my fucking fault...I'm sorry Sensei. If I had been more focused, I could have heard the villain approaching with my quirk and Denki could have reacted in time and none of this would have happened. I'm sorry Mr. Aizawa...I'm a failure, I couldn't even protect the person that matters the most to me.- She was a sea of tears, all the rant she spilled felt like daggers ripping apart her heart, and the crying and sobbing didn't stop.

Aizawa didn't find words to tell her at that moment, it was his job to teach and protect his students. He too was disappointed in himself, but that wasn't the time to feel sorry.

After a couple of minutes, Recovery Girl returned, Aizawa didn't waste time and talked to her. Kyoka froze in her chair, her heart was on the verge of cardiac arrest due to her nerves. The only thing that gave her peace was the face Recovery Girl had, It didn't tell tragedy at least.

Aizawa: How is he?

Recovery Girl: Could have been worse, It was not necessary to do surgery or anything. He is still unconscious, but after using my quirk he'll remain asleep for maybe a whole day or even two. A couple of fractures that's it. But he was lucky, he was just a couple of seconds from a brain hemorrhage. That could have spelled disaster for the boy.

Aizawa: But he's stable right?

Recovery Girl: Yes, you can go see him.- She said, Aizawa turned his head and saw Kyoka in her eyes, he nodded and gave her a gesture to stand up and come see him.

Her heart finally caught a break. Never in her life, had she felt so relieved. The biggest weight Jirou ever had on her shoulders was lifted. They entered his room, he was lying on the hospital bed, with bruises and looking pretty beat up. A respirator on his face pumped oxygen to his lungs. He had a somewhat peaceful expression on his face, that told her he wasn't in any pain at least. Jirou took a chair and sat right next to the left side of Kaminari's bed, holding his hand and stroking it softly.

Jirou: I'm sorry Denki...If only I could have heard the villain coming...

Recovery Girl: Come on Shōta, let's give them some space.- The old lady said, Aizawa nodded and they both left the two young heroes alone in the room.

Jirou: It's my fault you are here, in this state. I'm the worst hero.- She said, the fact that Kaminari was sleeping and wasn't able to tell her she was wrong bothered her. Tears appeared once again in her eyes.

Jirou: *sobbing* I hate this...I don't care what Aizawa Sensei says, It's my fault you are like this. I could have easily heard the villain coming with my quirk, I could have reacted in time. All that training you helped me with to improve my reaction time and reflexes was for nothing, I wasted your time on me. All because I was lost in your eyes...And now look at you. I'm weak, I'm pathetic...I'm- She couldn't hold it anymore, the thing that was bothering her for the past week needed to be let out.

Jirou: I'm...I'm in love with you...- She looked directly at him, searching for any signs of life in his face. She wanted him to react to her confession, any signs that could tell her he was okay.

Jirou: I love you Kaminari...Please wake up. Stay with me...- She squeezed his hand, hoping for a miracle. Hoping to feel him squeeze back. Any kind of response was enough for her.

I love you Kaminari

She reached for his forehead, placing a gentle kiss.

Jirou: I bet if things were the other way around, I would have killed you for this, but is worth the risk...- She blushed, maybe a little hope in this moment of despair wouldn't hurt anyone.

The door of the room opened quickly, Jirou got scared and took a step back from Kaminari. She meets with a middle-aged, pretty fit woman, with big and elegant red lips and long braided blonde hair. She also had a black streak on her yellow bangs, which could only mean one thing. She was Kaminari's mom

Inazuma Kaminari.

Hero Name: Thunderstrike.

Quirk: Volt chain.

She can store electricity like her son, but she releases it in the form of chains of thunderbolts, basically an electric whip.

She felt embarrassed, not only did his mom saw her alone in the room with her son, and pretty close to him. But because she still felt responsible for what happened to Kaminari, she felt her mother was going to blame her for that. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is the Kaminari family we are talking about.

Inazuma: Oh, hey. Hello there.- She said with a smile.

Jirou: H-Hello ma'am.- She was so red she looked like Kirishima's hair.

Inazuma: *chuckles* You must be the famous Kyoka Jirou I heard so much about.- She said playfully, now we all see where Kaminari got his flirtatious and laid-back attitude.

Jirou: Huh?- She looked confused.

Inazuma: Denki always talks about you, of all his friends, you are the one he always mentions every time I ask him about school. *giggles* Jirou this and Jirou that. I'm glad I finally met you...If only it would be on better terms.- She said while looking at her son sleeping on the bed.

Jirou looked down, feeling bad for herself. She clenched her fists and her teeth. She too wished she could meet Kaminari's mom on better terms. She seems like a lovely and nice lady.

Inazuma: Mr. Aizawa told me what happened. Don't feel bad for yourself kid. This kind of things happens all the time in our line of work. You are a hero too, you should know this.

Jirou: Still...I did nothing to save him, is my fault he is there.

Inazuma: Don't say that. It's nobody's fault. The important thing is that you two are okay.- Denki's mom walked towards Kyoka and opened her arms to give her a warm hug.

Jirou: I'm sorry ma'am...- Jirou clenched her fists over the lady's clothes, feeling pretty bad and guilty.

Inazuma: Don't cry, darling. Believe me, he won't like to see you like this.- Jirou looked up to her face, and a little blush appeared after Kaminari's mom's comment.

Jirou: W-What?

Inazuma: *chuckles* You know, sometimes I feel I'm not Denki's most important girl in his life, and I'm his mom. But...after meeting you, I understand why is that, I can't compete with you hehe. Now I get why my son likes you so much.

Jirou's heart stopped, what Kaminari's mom said shocked her. We can't blame Inazuma after all, she didn't know Jirou and her son weren't dating. But what she said filled Kyoka's heart and soul with hope. There was a chance to be with Kaminari, if only he was awake...

-So, Kaminari likes me? Is it true?... Fuck- She thought.

The door opened, the doctor and Mr. Aizawa entered the place. The U.A. teacher looks at Jirou and talks.

Aizawa: Is late, we must go, Jirou.

Jirou: W-What? No! I want to stay. I can't leave him.- She protested

Aizawa: I'm sorry Jirou, we must let him rest. And you need to rest too.

Jirou: No! Please let me stay.

Doctor: I'm sorry miss, only direct family can stay the night.

Inazuma: Come on Aizawa, let her stay, is fine by me.

Aizawa: I'm sorry, but we must go.

Jirou was sad, she wanted to be there for the moment Kaminari wakes up, to tell him how much she loved him and how graceful she would be if he allows her to be his girlfriend. She wants to be the first person he sees when he wakes up. She looked back to see Kaminari's mom, who was giving her an "I'm sorry sweetie" look.

Jirou: Wait.- Everyone looked at her. Kyoka reached once again to Kaminari's bed and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek and whispered in his ear.

Jirou: Stay strong, Chargebolt.- The same words she gave him back in the first war. The day Kaminari came to terms with his feelings. The day Midnight Sensei made him realize Jirou was the most important person in the whole world to him. Those words made him react a little, just a little flick with his fingers. Too bad Jirou didn't saw what her words caused.

Recovery Girl stayed behind with the doctors and Kaminari's mom. Aizawa took Jirou to his black Mercedes sedan and drove her back to U.A. The whole road she was quiet, just looking through the window and holding the plastic bag with the things they got at the pharmacy, the carnival, and her Pikachu. Aizawa saw her face and tried to engage in a conversation...Well, more like a lesson than a conversation.

Aizawa: Still thinking about it was your fault?

Jirou: I could have saved him. My quirk is superhearing and I missed the sound of a huge 2-meter-tall monster charging at full speed toward us. I'm a failure, a sorry excuse of a hero.

Aizawa: Stop saying that. Look I know what you feel kid.

Jirou: Huh?

Aizawa: Impotence, you feel powerless right now. That no matter how hard you try, everything you do ain't enough. I'm feeling the same way right now.

Jirou: How come?- She asked.

Aizawa: You are almost grown-ups, you are not kids anymore. Not only that, you are practically already Pro-Heroes, experience-wise. But you are still my students, you are my responsibility. The fact I wasn't there to protect him or you makes me feel useless. As a hero, you must learn how to live with that feeling when things tragically turn sour. It's not pretty I know, but we can't spend the rest of our days feeling sorry about it. Like Present Mic and I with our friend Shirakumo.

Jirou: ...- She said nothing.

Aizawa: And now, you feel what he felt back during the final battle.

Jirou: What do you mean, Sensei?

Aizawa: I know my student Jirou. You maybe didn't see it because you were in a state of shock. But the look on Kaminari's face when he was looking for help after you lost your earlobe, he was desperate, shaking, and in the middle of a panic attack. He couldn't bear it, seeing you like that. He was feeling the purest form of impotence, he couldn't protect the person who mattered the most to him. 

Jirou: So...that was what you were feeling?- She said looking out the window like she was talking telepathically with Denki. 

[Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Class 2-A dorms.]

*Knock* knock* knock*

Jirou: Leave me alone.- She said from inside. She was curled up on her bed, with all the curtains closed and no light inside the room. She wanted to be in full darkness.

Yaoyorozu: Come on Kyoka, It's been more than one day. At least try eating something.

Jirou: Fuck off.

Kirishima: Please Jirou. I know you feel bad but we're all worried about you.

Jirou: I told you to fuck off, I want to be alone.

Yaoyorozu: Let's go Kirishima, we can't push her.- She said putting a hand on his shoulder.

Yaomomo walked away, but Kirishima remained in front of Jirou's door. He spoke to her from the other side of the door.

Kirishima: Look Jirou. I know what happened was ugly and that Kaminari hasn't woken up yet. But you can't still take all the blame for it upon yourself. Kaminari will kill me for what I'm about to tell you but, you mean the world to him. And I can guarantee you he'll be the last person in the whole world to blame you. Shit, he might even take another hit like that if it was you the one in danger...What I'm trying to say is, try eating something at least. He wouldn't like seeing you like this.

What he said touched Kyoka's heart. Apparently, everybody knew Kaminari liked her, all but her. Kirishima left behind a trail with food on her doorstep, to make sure at least she could have something to eat ready to go.

- I don't blame myself anymore...But how could I see him to his face again? He's capable of catching a bullet for me but I wasn't capable of saving him from just a tackle, and that almost killed him. He deserves someone better than me, I could never be a good girlfriend for him.-

She once again cried herself to sleep. Since the incident, she hasn't eaten, bathed, or even left her room. The only time she left her room she went to Aizawa's to ask permission to leave campus and go to the hospital, but she was denied of it because of her safety. Too bad she would miss the moment Kaminari was about to wake up.

[9:45 a.m. Central Hospital]

Stay strong, Chargebolt...

I love you, Kaminari...

Kaminari: Ji...- he started to open his eyes slowly.

Kaminari: Jirou...

Inazuma: Huh? Darling?

Kaminari: Jirou...JIROU!!!- He woke up suddenly. The last thing he remembered was Jirou crying over him while holding him, telling him to don't leave her.

Inazuma: Calm down sweetie, don't freak out. You are in the Hospital, let me get the doctor.- Her mom stood up from her chair and walked towards the door.

Kaminari: Mom wait!- He stopped her.

Inazuma: What?

Kaminari: Where is she? Where is Jirou? Is she okay???- He was filled with questions, all about the welfare of his date.

Inazuma: Don't worry sweetheart, she is okay. She is on U.A. Don't force it, let me go get the doctor, relax.

Kaminari: Okay...- His mom left the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

-Did I dreamed that? I heard her, telling me she loved me. I wonder why she isn't here...I would have loved to see her here, make sure she was okay...Damn- He was worried, not only for a moment he thought about his own welfare, the only thing on his mind was Jirou.

His mother returned with the doctor, and they ran a complete check on his condition. Everything seemed to be in order and perfect. The work of Recovery Girl was magical, he was like new. Here is the reason why he took so long to wake up. Only a couple of bruises remained, nothing to worry about. He ate like a beast (Imagine the appetite he must had after one and a half days of not eating) and rested on his hospital bed. He was scheduled to be released that night. He looked at his mother and asked her.

Kaminari: Mom...

Inazuma: What Denki?

Kaminari: Why Jirou didn't stay?

Inazuma: Mr. Aizawa was with her and he didn't let her stay, for her welfare. I wanted to change his opinion but it wasn't enough.

Kaminari: Damn...- He said in a low voice.

Inazuma: That girl, she is a keeper. She is cute and very caring, not to mention she has a rocking body.- His mom said without any shame, not for nothing she was a Kaminari.

Kaminari: Moooomm!!!- He exclaimed, his cheeks turned bright red in shame.

Inazuma: Now I get why you like her. I just hope you don't blow it up. She really cares for you deeply.- Kaminari's eyes widened.

Kaminari: Y-You, you really mean t-that?

Inazuma: Of course Denki, she really likes you a lot. It reminds me of your father and me when we were younger. He was pretty shy and hard to approach, just like her.

-Jirou...Jirou likes me?- 

He said to himself, he grabbed the hospital shirt he had on, exactly on the place his heart was. Kaminari's mom single-handedly resolved the whole issue of Denki and Kyoka not coming to terms with each other's feelings. Not for nothing she was older and more expert on the subject than a couple of horny teenagers.

They were both looking at the ceiling of their beds, the same nagging thought was circling around their heads. Things were now about to turn steamy between them from now on. They knew what they had to do, but they didn't knew how to do it.

Jirou: Kaminari likes me.

Kaminari: Jirou likes me.

I must tell him.

I must tell her.

To be continued.

[Art by me]