This song, From Now On, should be listened to with this chapter. I completely get if you don't want to, but it really makes it what it is. The music should start when you see:

🎵  🎶  🎵  🎶

From there, the pacing should let you follow along with the song and story at the correct parts. The way I've written it is so that the lyrics are after the paragraph they're happening during, just as a sort of checkpoint. If lyrics aren't listed, just assume they're happening in the background.

I hope this works! Let me know what you think!

Koto's POV
(Monday the 29th)

My knee bounces tirelessly on the pleather seats of the terminal. 

Why aren't we boarding? My heart beats incessantly as I watch the monitor. Over the past few hours, I've watched as my flight to Japan gets pushed back further and further. It doesn't help that I couldn't get a flight until today, Monday. I'm going to miss move in, I think in despair. 

"Attention, passengers of flight A67359 with service to Japan," the woman at the desk says over the intercom, "the flight crew has just timed out for today, so we have to wait for another crew to get here. Sorry for the delay. The new boarding time is estimated to be 6:40pm."

I groan along with the rest of the passengers and rest my head in my hands. That's another hour and a half! Why does it take so long for another crew to get here?

After a few maintenance issues and weather troubles, adding this to the mix seems like the world just doesn't want me to go home. 

"Might as well get dinner," the man to my left says to his family. The young children nod enthusiastically. I'm sure they need some simulation after waiting for so long. The feeling of loneliness strikes me for seemingly the hundredth time since I've gotten here today. Deep in my heart, I just wish someone was with me. Ochaco or Kiri or…

My heart thuds in my chest at the thought of someone else, though I can't even bring myself to think his name. 

I examine how much money I have left and, upon concluding I have more than plenty for dinner, I shoulder my backpack and head to the closest fast food place. I've been spending minimally throughout the week, trying my best to save money. I'd met once more with Daniel before I left, promising to keep in touch. After our meeting on Saturday, Marissa even gave me her number. Annie wasn't as cordial in saying goodbye. 

This morning, I woke up with anxiety about flying, so I went to Kati's bathroom and straightened my hair, just to practice. It took a while, but it also let me focus on something else for a bit. I ponder to myself what my classmates will say about my new hair. 

What will Bakugo say? The thought hits me like a truck. He's the only one that recognized me. 

Don't worry about that right now, I tell myself. I'm going back home. Sure, I might be a little late, but school isn't starting until next week, so I don't think I'm missing anything important. Just focus on getting back…

•°•°•°•

(Tuesday the 30th)

🎵  🎶  🎵  🎶

I approach the hill on which UA High sits proudly. The grand pillars stand before me. I reach out and touch the gateway, feeling its heat in the summer sun. The leaves rustle in the woods as I begin my climb, humming to myself the song I was listening to on the train. 

"I saw the sun begin to dim
And felt that winter wind blow cold
A man learns who is there for him
When the glitter fades and the walls won't hold."

I remember exploring the construction site with Mic and wonder if I can pinpoint exactly where the 1-A dorms are. 

"'Cause from then, rubble
What remains
Can only be what's true
If all was lost
There's more I gained
'Cause it led me back"

I take a deep breath and walk through the main gates, looking up at the glinting building in front of me before turning my sights to the new buildings on the side of the grounds. 

"To you."

Kirishima's POV

I sit among my friends as we talk and chat about the moving in process. 

"My mom didn't want me to leave," Denki says, smiling. "Cried like a baby when I left."

We laugh, but it doesn't feel the same as before. We all know what's missing. Bakugo sits quietly on the couch, staring at his phone. He may be able to fool the others, but I know something's really bothering him. 

Maybe he should talk it out this time, I can't help but think. Not that he even would. He obviously doesn't trust us. He wouldn't even tell me about her scar. I get it was her thing to tell, but still. Why did he know and not me?

He's been different since the attack. Especially after everything with Koto. I guess he's seeing her as a friend like the rest of us. But why does it seem like neither of them is treating us like it?

I never knew Koto had gone through anything that would've left her with a scar. I guess I don't know her as well as I thought I did. 

I try to focus on the conversation, but it's clear Koto's presence is missing. After a while, my brain is even convinced it hears her music. 

"I drank champagne with kings and queens
The politicians praised my name"

"Who the hell thinks this is funny?" Bakugo snaps, looking around. This catches the attention of all my other classmates who go silent. 

"But those are someone else's dreams…"

"Who's playing that?" He screams over the song. 

"Bakugo, be quiet," Shoji admonishes as he extends his arms, searching for the sound with his enhanced senses. "It's in here."

The whole class moves to the entranceway, following the boy. As we get close, it's clear and crisp, a point of sound floating about 3 feet off the ground. Uraraka puts her hand out and feels the air. Though none of us can see it, she obviously feels it, tears beginning to overflow in her eyes.

"For years and years
I chased their cheers
The crazy speed of always needing more"

The sound begins to travel out the door. The tiny girl immediately rushes outside, the rest of us following. 

"But when I stop
And see you here
I remember who all this was for"

"Around the corner," Shoji exclaims. 

My heart skips a beat as a platinum blonde figure rounds the corner at a full sprint. Uraraka runs equally as fast towards her. I doubt at first that it's really her, but then I remember the girl Bakugo was interrogating at the party.

It really was her, I think in awe. Turning around, I see Bakugo still on the porch, staring at my friend. After a moment, he locks eyes with me and his message is clear: believe me now?

"And from now on
These eyes will not be blinded by the lights
From now on
What's waited 'til tomorrow starts tonight
It starts tonight
And let this promise in me start
Like an anthem in my heart
From now on
From now on
From now on
And we will come back home
And we will come back home
Home, again!
And we will come back home
And we will come back home
Home, again!
And we will come back home
And we will come back home
Home, again!"

After embracing fiercely, the two girls run back to our assembled class. Upon reaching us, the blonde girl gets tackled by a barrage of hugs from the other girls in the class, Mina and Hagakure pouncing on her with Yaoyorozu and Tsu following close behind. Denki joins in the group, smiling widely. 

Over their heads, Koto's sky blue eyes meet mine. Conflicting emotions run rampant in my mind. 

Why did she go through so much trouble to get away from us? And she's going to come back and expect an emotional reunion?

Yes, she went through some difficult stuff and I guess she wanted time to figure it out, but isn't that what therapy is for? Why did she leave without telling anyone? Not even Mic? She didn't see all the stress she put him through. He's been such a broken man since she left. Does she have any concern for her uncle? If she did, she wouldn't have left. 

After breaking away from the group, she immediately comes up to me and wraps me in a hug. I step back a bit and hold my hands over her back. Why does she think she deserves a hug after everything she put us through?

Maybe she's still not quite okay, it occurs to me. I reciprocate the hug loosely, just until she lets go. 

"So you were there!" Mina exclaims. 

A figure in all black approaches the group. I feel a chill go down my spine at the sight of my homeroom teacher. He's surely not happy she left. 

"I heard from Hizashi that you're back," he states plainly. "Don't think this will be a joyful reunion. You put many people through hard times when you clearly defied all instruction for this break period." The man levels her with a hardened glare as my classmates and I shift nervously. "Nevertheless, we've decided to let you regroup tonight and a meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow. Nine a.m., Principal Nezu's office. Don't be late."

With that, he turns and lumbers away, as if waking outside was the biggest inconvenience. 

All of a sudden, cackling can be heard from a nearby porch. "You really needed the attention, huh?"

We all turn to see Monona practically hanging off the front step of the Class 1-B residence. His whole torso is dangling over the edge. A couple other 1-B students are standing behind him. Some are rolling their eyes, some are nodding their heads. 

"Things weren't about you for a second, so you had to change that, right?" The boy exclaims, his crazy eyes flashing. "Typical Class A! Now they're fighting between themselves for the spotlight! First Bakugo, now you! It only makes sense! Just like your uncle, you need to get in everyone's face so they know you're still relevant. So you decided to send your classmates and teachers on a wild goose chase! Maybe you should take a hint from Class B! We actually use our talent for the greater good instead of forcing our way into the public eye! It's just embarrassing!"

The rest of the girls lead Koto inside so she doesn't have to take his abuse. I follow them in. 

Koto's POV 

Monona's words cut deep. Not only did he come after me, but he came after Mic too. I already felt bad enough for leaving, but I really didn't do this for attention. And when I got home, seeing the condition I had left Mic in practically tore my heart to shreds. 

But I really needed to get away and have some time to myself to think and cope. I didn't try to overshadow Bakugo. I've been dealing with my own stuff. They didn't need to be paying so much attention to me when he went through so much too.

"Why do you hide your scar all the time?" I hear a chirpy voice ask. I turn to see Toru's floating clothes inching closer to me. Looking around, I see the rest of the class staring at me. "You don't have to hide it from us!"

I look back to her in pure horror. How do they all know about this?!?

"Toru, I told you not to tell anybody," Mina exclaims, her face becoming a deep magenta. I turn my focus on her. 

How did she find out? Did somebody tell her? I know she didn't see it. 

"Todoroki told us," she says quietly. 
My heart drops into my stomach as I fight to hold back tears. The boy looks at me nonchalantly, though his eyes are questioning. He doesn't understand what he did wrong. What a jerk, I think in despair. 

I open my mouth, but suddenly, the words aren't coming out. "Excuse me," I sign, pushing through all of them and towards the elevator. A piece of paper is taped to the wall next to it, showing the floorplan of the building. My name is in a room on the fourth floor, same as Mina, Eijiro, Bakugo, and Shoji. 

I go up to the floor and enter the first room on the left. My packed things are already here, as Mic had said he sent them. All my boxes are piled up on the leftmost wall, next to the half bathroom packed into the corner. My queen sized bed is set up with the headboard up against the right wall. It makes it a little hard to get past, so I move a couple boxes out of the way to make a pathway from the door to the balcony. I notice a key on the desk, I'd assume to the room, as well as my phone, which I had left back home, as I walk past towards the glass doors. 

My heart is heavy and my eyes are full as I push the doors open to breathe the fresh air, finally letting the tears fall. Why did he tell everyone? I thought he was my friend, but it's clear he's not even that. Now they all know. 

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

Hey guys!

I hope the song worked! I honestly get chills every time I read through that part, so I hope it worked for you guys.

Here's a picture of Koto's dorm room layout at the moment because I found it difficult to have to explain so quickly.

So I drew this from memory, but now I'm rereading it, it's not fully correct. Imagine the boxes at the bottom right are instead her two bookshelves just backed up against the wall.

I intend to draw a more detailed picture of what it actually looks like when she sets it up, so that'll be coming in the future.

Additionally, we have more fan art this time!!!

This awesome picture of Koto was made by goldiebear9308!! It looks so good! The details on her costume are great and I love the way you've drawn her face.

Once again, thank you guys for your support of this story! Your comments always make my day.

Sorry on the long wait for this update. The next chapter probably won't come out for another couple weeks as well. I've got a lot of stuff on my plate and haven't had as much time to write a I've liked. That being said, I'm excited for what's coming, I just need some time to perfect it.

Good luck with everything you've got going on! Until next time! ❤