------Author's Note------

Hey guys!

I've been feeling absolutely rotten for days, but seeing all your love and support for this story makes my heart sing. So, as a thank you to all of you, here's part 2 of the movie night a couple days early. In the story banner up above is one of my all time favorite songs. My best friend and I sing it all the time, especially when we're feeling down. I highly recommend listening to it later on in the chapter (you'll know where).

Thanks again for your support!

❤️

•°•°•°•

My cheeks hurt from smiling when the credits of the final movie play. Darkness had fallen long ago and lanterns had been lit to illuminate the lawn. I pull myself up from where I'm lounging on the blanket, glancing over at Todoroki only for a moment before turning my attention to the rest of my friends. He watched the whole thing expressionless which has me shocked and a little disappointed. I really wanted him to enjoy himself. But at the same time, it doesn't seem like he hated it, so I'll take the small victory. 

Reina's siblings head inside to put the food away and Eito bids us goodnight, saying he has work in the morning. 

I remove my movie from the projector while everyone else gathers around the campfire Reina is trying to light. The fire just isn't catching. Todoroki kneels down next to her and reaches his left hand into the kindling. Smoke begins to rise and some of the smaller sticks and twigs begin burning. He removes his hand and sends my friend a small smile in response to her "thank you."

She goes back to her blanket to grab her guitar. As she passes me, she nudges my shoulder and whispers. "He is really cute. Good choice."

My face heats up but I try to hide it as I roll my eyes and go to meet up with the rest of the group, bag of s'mores supplies in hand. 

"I never really understood why people like looking at fire," Todoroki says quietly, staring at the growing flames as I come to a stop next to him. On his other side, Midoriya flicks his green eyes over to listen to his friend. "It's never something I've seen as comforting."

"I guess…" Midoriya speaks up, then trails off when we both look at him. "I g-guess it's homely. And the colors are r-really nice too."

I watch the fire flicker in Todoroki's eyes as he stares in deep contemplation. "It certainly reminds me of home."

I can only imagine. Does Endeavor stay on fire all the time? Even at home? Is this gonna make him uncomfortable? I sure hope not. 

I sigh and put a hand on his shoulder. He leaves it there, just silently looking into the fire. My heart thuds in my chest, but it's such a warm friendly moment, that my anxiety ebbs a little bit. He takes a deep breath and I take that as my cue that the moment's over. 

I take my hand away and rifle through my bag. I illuse behind me, "hey Reina, you got the skewers?"

"Heads up!" She calls. My eyes widen and I turn to see Midoriya has already caught them. My friend smiles sheepishly. "Whoops, I'm sorry! I have terrible aim."

"Don't w-worry about it," he stutters, scratching the back of his neck. 

"At least this time I didn't break a window, right Ochaco?"

The boy's eyes widen to the point they almost pop out of his head. "What?!"

We all glance over to where said girl is trying to listen inconspicuously. A blush dusts her cheeks. 

She opens her mouth to speak, but no words come out. Reina steps in to save our flustered friend, "she can tell you some other time. It's better when she tells the story anyway."

"I'd love to hear it," Midoriya says quietly. 

Suddenly, I feel something on my right shoulder. I turn to see Mina has her chin rested there. She whispers, "when do you think they're getting together?"

I smirk and illuse quietly in her ear, "sooner rather than later if we have any say in it." We fist bump, smiling at our two friends as they chat. 

Reina plops down in front of the fire, legs crossed, and rests the guitar on her knees. "Any requests, or should I just play?"

"Ooh, you sing," Mina squeals, sitting down as well. Soon, everyone is following their lead, making themselves comfortable on the ground. The consensus is that she should play whatever she wants. With a glance and a small smile my way, she starts strumming a familiar tune. Ochaco and I readjust, sitting more upright as Reina begins singing. 

"I can't pretend
To know how you feel,
But know that I'm here
Know that I'm real.

Say what you want
Or don't talk at all
Not gonna let you fall.

Reach for my hand
'Cause it's held out for you
My shoulders are small
But you can cry on them too.
Everything changes
But one thing is true
Understand
We'll always be more than a band."

I sigh in contentment as she continues strumming and I illuse the rest of the instruments. Ah, Lemonade Mouth. She's a girl after my own heart. I've always told Reina that her singing voice sounds eerily similar to Naomi Scott, with her rich, velvety tone, but this song really shows off that similarity. Ochaco comes in, singing the next verse. Her voice isn't perfect, but it fits in our little group.

"You used to brave the world
All on your own
Now we won't let you go
Go it alone."

I smile when they let me illuse the voice of my favorite character, Charlie. 

"Be who you wanna be
Always stand tall
Not gonna let you fall."

They both come back in to sing the chorus as I illuse to fill out the harmonies and the rest of the instruments. 

"Reach for my hand
'Cause it's held out for you
My shoulders are strong
But you can cry on them too.
Everything changes
But one thing is true
Understand
We'll always be more than a band."

Ochaco and I let Reina sing the solo. 

"I never knew you could take me so far
I've always wanted the hope that you are
The ones I need."

We both come back in. 

"Reach for my hand
'Cause it's held out for you
My shoulders are strong
But you can cry on them too
Everything changes
But one thing is true
Understand
We'll always be more than a band." 

I expect Reina to keep singing to close out the song, but she nods at me and gives me a dangerous glare. Sadly, I know what she's trying to get across. And so, I let all the illused music stop, leaving only her peaceful strumming as I hum the chorus one more time. All eyes turn to me.

The sound isn't exactly clear, due to me humming along with all three movies, but it's still indicative of my once beautiful singing voice. I really miss how free singing made me feel. Now I have this mental block holding me back. 

As I finish singing and all our friends applaud, I look up to the sky, hoping to find a shooting star to wish on for my voice back, but there's no such luck. The lights make it impossible to see most stars anyway. My eyes find an airplane, lights flashing in the night. I silently make my wish, hoping it's strong enough. 

I smile at the compliments that I wasn't paying attention to as I return my focus to the group. 

"Your voice is so nice," Sero says, nodding in my direction as he lounges on his elbows. 

"Yeah," Kaminari adds. "I always thought...I don't know," he rubs the back of his neck, suddenly embarrassed for some reason. "I thought it was caused by your vocal chords."

"It" of course meaning my muteness. I hum in understanding and illuse, "nah, it's something in the language faculties of my brain that's disconnected from my muscles, so I literally can't form words with my mouth."

I shrug as everyone around the campfire gets some sort of expression of understanding on their face. 

"A-anyways," Midoriya says after a brief moment, obviously not wanting the silence to get too awkward, for which I'm very grateful. He holds up the marshmallow skewers and asks, "what are these for?"

I quickly explain the concept of a s'more to them as I demonstrate how to make one. I bite into the finished product, savoring the gooey deliciousness. 

Iida flails his arms around and exclaims, "but a sugary dessert this late at night can affect our sleep!"

"Relax dude," Kaminari says, stabbing a marshmallow with a stick and holding it over the fire. I notice it's sitting too far down in the flames. "It's a Friday. We've got all weekend to sleep!"

The blue haired boy gasps. "Your sleep schedule must be terrible!"

"And yet you're out here at midnight hanging with us," Sero retorts as Kaminari's marshmallow catches fire. He pulls it back and blows on it to try and get the flames out. 

"Aww man. How'd you get yours so perfect?"

I put another marshmallow on my skewer and place it in the correct spot so it'll brown, but not catch fire. "I can switch with you," I say. After a few minutes, I pull another perfect marshmallow out of the fire. I exchange his skewer for mine. 

"But I don't wanna make you eat the ruined one!"

"There's nothing better than some good caramelized sugar." 

"Better known as 'burnt,'" Mina retorts, eating her own s'more.

"Same difference," I illuse as I grab the hot marshmallow off the stick with my fingers and take a bite out of it. The inside oozes out and pulls into strings when I try to pull it away. "Someone wanna grab some napkins?"

My friends laugh at my predicament, so I make a pouty face at them. That shuts the guys up pretty quickly, but Mina, Ochaco, and Reina just laugh louder. Never doubt the power of puppy dog eyes.

Kirishima hands Bakugo his skewer, much to the latter's dismay, and jogs to the deck to grab a pile of napkins. The explosive blonde scoffs as he lowers both Kirishima's marshmallow and his own onto the fire.

I accept the pile of napkins from my red haired friend and wipe my face as he takes his skewer back. As soon as the stick is out of his hand, Bakugo shoves his marshmallow into the hot flames. He pulls it out and watches it burn for a little bit before putting it out and taking a bite. I see the challenge in his eyes. The taunt that he ate his hotter and more burnt than mine. "Beat that, Mute," I can practically hear him say. I internally debate sticking a flaming marshmallow straight into my mouth just to mess with him, but I don't really want to burn my mouth today.

As conversations pick up again, I hear a camera clicking behind me. I turn around to see Sayuri and Ruri taking pictures with their professional grade camera. I smile and bring my attention back to the group, making a mental note to ask them for those later. 

I look around at my group of friends and classmates, thinking about how perfect this is. Ochaco, Reina, Mina, and Kirishima play Chubby Bunny while Iida lectures them and Todoroki watches on, making his own personal flame for his marshmallow, occasionally adjusting its heat so as to not burn it. Even as Bakugo shoves Kaminari over and he comes up with marshmallow in his hair, I can't help but feel incredibly grateful.

What a perfect night, I think to myself, looking up at the sky and inhaling the campfire smell. I notice the thin layer of clouds has departed and I can make out a couple of stars. I smile, wondering if Mom and Dad are watching me. Them, Grandma, GGG; I hope they can all see where I am now. 

•°•°•°•

As we say our goodbyes for the night (or morning), Kirishima pulls me aside. 

"Hey, umm… Uraraka talked to me and...well…" he trails off, scratching his head with a sheepish smile. "Here ya go."

He holds out a grocery bag with some sort of box in it, wrapped in newspaper. "I'm not good at wrapping stuff, but I did my best."

I take the box out of the bag and feel something thudding around inside. I tear away the paper to find a shoebox. Upon opening it, I see a pair of baby blue Crocs. I look at him with furrowed eyebrows, feeling my eyes beginning to tear up. 

"She said you don't usually celebrate, but I just wanted to get you something," he says, putting his hands in his pockets. 

I close the box and pull him into a tight hug. "Thank you," I illuse quietly. 

"Happy birthday, Yamada," he whispers into my hair as he wraps his arms around me tightly.

I pull back and give him a teary smile. "Koto," I correct him, giving him a pat on the shoulder. 

His smile widens and he nods. "Got it. Happy birthday, Koto."

I wipe a tear off my cheek and illuse, "thank you, Kirishima. I love them."

He gives me another quick hug, whispering, "just call me Eijiro," then walks back to the gate where Mina and Bakugo are waiting for him, the pink girl bouncing on the balls of her feet and the angry boy just scowling at his phone. "See ya Monday!"

"See ya," I reply, watching them go. I walk over to lock the gate behind them and turn around, looking at the empty lawn. 

The door to the kitchen opens and Ochaco skips out. "Hey! Is that everyone…" She notices the glare on my face and stops short, eyes blown wide. 

"BETRAYAL!!!!" I illuse loudly, running after her. She sprints back inside and runs through the hallways, up and down the stairs as Reina and her siblings watch. I put down the shoebox and go around the opposite way to surprise her, tackling her onto the couch. She touches my arm with her right hand, making me float, so I grab onto her and take her with me. 

"Ahhh!" She screeches. "Let me go!"

"How many people did you tell?!?"

"Just Kirishima, I swear!"

"You know I hate my birthday!"

"I thought you wouldn't mind if he knew!"

"When people know about birthdays, they try to celebrate them!"

"It's called friendship!" She finally manages to get her fingertips together. "Release!" 

We both fall to the ground. I let her flop onto the couch with a loud "oof" while I illuse sound underneath me to soften my landing. 

"Hey hey!" Yuta exclaims from the kitchen. Ochaco and I turn to face the family. 

His twin looks up from his phone. "Mom and Dad are on their way home, so let's get this over with. I'm tired and they are gonna be mad if we're not asleep."

Yasu walks forward with a cake, sixteen candles arranged in a music note while Ochaco runs behind the family to escape me. Kayda hits the lights as they all sing "Happy Birthday." I close my eyes and try my wish again as I blow out the candles. 

The twins scarf down their cake then run upstairs to brush their teeth and pretend to be asleep. The rest of us hang out in the kitchen, eating until Mieko and Daichi get home. 

"Heyo, miss birthday girl," the portly man exclaims as he sets his briefcase down. I rush over to give him and his wife a hug. His eyes crinkle as he smiles and I observe the permanent bags under them, wondering when the last time was that he took a day off. He runs a hand through his combed back hair, a common habit of his. There are gray sections coming from his temples. "I'm thinking presents after breakfast."

"Agreed," Meiko says, taking her salt and pepper hair out of the bun at the crown of her head, shaking it out as it falls. "I've had a headache for the past few hours. People were being particularly stupid today."

"So breakfast at 7am?" Kayda asks with a smirk.

"Eeeennnnhhhhh," the couple says at the same time, signifying for the number to go up. 

"Eight?" She appends. 

"Nine," Meiko says, swallowing a pill with a hand over her eyes. 

"Sounds good," I illuse, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Get some sleep. We can talk more in the morning."

"Will do, sweetie."

Sayuri gathers all the plates and starts washing them, ushering the rest of us upstairs. I remove my shoes at the door and put on my new Crocs. I wiggle my toes in them and head up to Reina's room. 

She has enough of my stuff that I don't even need an overnight bag. When we all are ready for the night, we squeeze onto Reina's queen sized bed and talk for a bit before falling asleep. 

•°•°•°•

Later that morning, I awaken to the smell of baked goods, maple syrup, and bacon. I sit bolt upright in bed, my red curls flying everywhere. Ochaco's leg is curled around mine, so I try to wiggle myself out, but she tightens her hold on me in her sleep. 

I groan and start poking her. Reina is nowhere to be seen. The digital clock on her bedside table reads 9:08, meaning breakfast could be on the table any second and they're making my favorite meal. Ochaco stirs with a groan. 

"Waffles!" I illuse hurriedly as I push away from her and fall out of the bed. She blinks a few times before scrambling after me, the two of us running down the stairs side by side. As we barrel into the kitchen, I stop in my tracks when I see the kitchen island peppered with gifts. Ochaco runs forward to grab a plate and hand it to me. 

"Birthday girl first!" She chirps. I smile at the family around the kitchen as they complete their tasks, putting food on the table. 

Daichi goes around, starting with me, putting waffles on our plates. I thank him and go to my usual seat at the table, adding syrup to my waffle and piling bacon on the side. We eat in comfortable companionship, exchanging stories and jokes. After our plates are cleared and the food is put away, the table is covered with presents. 

From Ochaco and Reina, I receive a charm bracelet with three charms on it, a gold music note with a blue rhinestone, a rose gold star, and a silver compass with a green rhinestone in the middle. The twins give me a ring for my thumb with a tiny watch set in it, apparently a creation of their own. Kayda painted an ocean sunset for me, Yasu burned a CD with some of his favorite songs that have "oldies sound," Sayuri bought some fancy perfume that smells like peaches, and Ruri gives me a pair of heeled boots with music printed on the side panels. From their parents, I receive a gift card to a fancy store and a small model airplane that I make note of to hang in my room later. 

Eventually, Meiko and Daichi have to go into work and Ochaco and I have finals to study for, so I thank everybody and hop in the backseat of their sedan with all my gifts. My friend's parents drop me off at my house so I don't have to take the train with everything. 

While I was in the hospital, Mic had reached out to them and explained his guardianship over me. At least now I don't have to hide anything from them. 

I bring everything inside to see Mic has hung balloons. He runs from the kitchen to scoop me up. 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!" He screams in my ear, causing severe ringing, but I hug him back fiercely. He's the reason I got a second chance after I ruined my own life and I'm beyond grateful for everything. 

Skipping, he goes to his room and rushes back with three boxes piled in his hands. He hands them to me and leads me over to the couch. I tear open the paper on the first box to find a new laptop. I reach over and hug my uncle excitedly. 

In the other two boxes are a leather jacket with roses embroidered on the back and the other four books of the Percy Jackson series. 

The last one gives me a bit of pause. Didn't Grandma buy these for me before she passed away?

Mic seems to sense what I'm thinking because he says, "I talked with some of my peeps in America and got them to visit Meg's storage unit to find these."

I hesitate, then paste a fake smile on my face. "Thanks," I sign. He seems to buy it because he bounces on the couch and tackles me into a hug. 

"Ahhhhhh, I love you, birthday girl, but I gotta go into the studio today. Hope ya understand! But I'll be home for dinner!"

I nod, sorta glad to have the house to myself for the day. I bring the gifts to my bedroom and plop them down onto the bed, then start pacing the room. 

So he had someone go into her storage unit? OUR storage unit? How can he know he can trust them? How much stuff did he have them go through until they found this? 

That means they were rifling through all our stuff. 

Why couldn't he have just brought me there himself? Summer break is coming up. I mean, sure, we have training camp to go to, but after that at least we could find some time to go. I haven't even been back since that day. I never even went to see Mom and Dad after their funeral. 

So much has happened and I owe it to them to at least pay them a visit, right?

Maybe I should just go.

No, that's crazy. There's too much to do here. There's finals and training camp…

I stop pacing.

But then there's still vacation time before we have to go back to school. What if I went by myself then?

No no no. That's completely irresponsible and impulsive. If I'm going to go home, I need to plan it out with Mic. 

I'll talk to him about it later. 

I huff and plop down onto my mattress. 

I wouldn't even have to do this if I didn't kill them in the first place. 

I feel the tears start to fall down my face. 

Why do people force me to celebrate my birthday? Why celebrate my life when I killed three of the people I care about the most?

I slide off the bed and onto the ground, pulling my comforter with me. I wrap it over my shoulders and bury my face in it, letting it soak up my tears.