"Breathe in. Keep your mind calm. Just focus on yourself and your opponent. You're stronger than you think. Keep calm. Focus. Now...defend yourself!"

(Y/n)'s eyes shot open, instantly ducking down to avoid Sir's leg that shot out to land a kick to her head. She shot out her leg, instantly tripping him to the ground.

She straightened up and smiled down at him, hands on her hips. After coming back from patrol, they continued their training and now Sir had suggested that they eradicate the fear holding her back.

"You're getting faster. A quick learner, I like that," he smiled as he jumped back on his feet. "We still have more to do for the remaining days, I insist that you also practice whenever I'm not around."

(Y/n) nodded and bowed courteously at him.

"Well," the man glanced at his wristwatch. "It's three thirty now. I will release you early for a job well done," he looked up from the watch. "You may head out now. I'll see you tomorrow."

The girl smiled and nodded. That meant enough time to take some rounds in the city. "Okay, thank you and goodbye!"

She lifted her hand up in a wave as she made her way out of the room. She hurried back into the changing room, took a quick shower and changed back into her school uniform. Since she had been given her own locker to safe keep her costume, she locked in her briefcase and pocketed the key.

As she exited the room, her vision was suddenly infiltrated by a familiar light-blue girl making her jump slightly.

"Hi, hi!"

(Y/n) relaxed and the corner of her lips turned up. "Hey, Kaoruko, what's up?"

"Just saying hi," the girl shrugged and clasped her hands behind her back. "We rarely get girls here so it's nice that there's finally one."

"Oh uh...okay," (Y/n) nodded, not knowing how to respond. "What about the other female pro-heroes?"

Kaoruko gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "Meh, too old, too busy," she then tilted her head when she saw (Y/n)'s attire. "Heading home early?"

The (h/c)-haired female chose to ignore her earlier comment and nodded. "Yeah, Sir gave me the rest of the day off. Why do you ask?"

Kaoruko pulled her lips into a pout and kicked her feet lightly. "Well uh...I was wondering maybe if you'd like to hang out?"

(Y/n) rose an eyebrow at her. "Hang out?"

She came to a realization that Kaoruko was also not in her hero attire and had changed into a white tank top, a pair of black shorts with black boots to go. It was the first time seeing her in casual clothing and the style fit her well.

Kaoruko grinned and nodded frantically. "Yeah! Hang out! Like a girl's day out or something! I'm done with my shift, so...yeah?"

(Y/n) pursed her lips in thought. She had other plans of her own but she just couldn't resist Kaoruko's pleading expression. She smiled. What better way to explore Tokyo than to go with someone who knows the attractions better? Besides, she did kinda crave the girl time.

The female nodded. "Yeah sure, why not?" her smile widened when Kaoruko's face lit up. "Where'd you like to go?"

Kaoruko linked her arm with (Y/n)'s and they began walking towards the exit.

"Well, dear (Y/n), you chose the right person to take you out," the girl began with a dramatic voice, making (Y/n) chuckle. "First, I'm going to take you to the Ginza Six, which by the way, happens to be the best shopping mall in all of Tokyo."

"Ginza Six? I've heard of it," (Y/n) said as they passed through the doors held open by the doorman. She sent the male an appreciative smile before they stepped out into the street.

"Yep, and that's not all we're gonna do," Kaoruko held up a finger. "Afterwards, we're gonna hit the 7-11 and you," she pointed at (Y/n) before sweeping her hand through the air. "Are gonna experience the best fried chicken you ever tasted."

(Y/n) turned to her and rose a challenging brow. "Better than my aunt's?"

Kaoruko scoffed a laugh. "Uh...better than your mom's!"

Pffft. Jokes on you. I've never even met my mom. "Well then, if you say so," (Y/n) laughed as she allowed Kaoruko to lead the way to the Ginza Six mall.

***

(Y/n) and Kaoruko walked out of the 7-11, each carrying shopping bags full of clothes and with bellies stuffed full of onigiri and fried chicken. Since (Y/n) didn't have enough money to blow, Kaoruko had offered to pay for everything, against (Y/n)'s protests.

In the end, she finally gave in, also going as far as letting Kaoruko choose the clothes for her. She only stopped her when she noticed that some clothes she chose weren't exactly...her style. But some of them, she could admit, were quite lovely.

"Gosh!" Kaoruko gushed out as she skipped beside (Y/n). "I can't remember the last time I had this much fun!! We should totally do this again!"

(Y/n) chuckled. "Yeah we should," she then held up the bags that were threatening to cut off the blood circulation from her wrists. "But did you have to buy me all these clothes?"

Kaoruko turned to the girl and lifted her shoulder in a half shrug. "Duh, coz you're my friend. Besides, anything for Sir Nighteye's favorite intern."

(Y/n)'s cheeks turned a bit red. "I'm not his favorite."

The blue-green haired female nudged her side with her elbow and winked at her. "Oh come on, no need to be so modest. I've never seen him so devoted to a student before you."

(Y/n) furrowed her eyebrows and paid the girl a side glance. "Really?"

Kaoruko hummed in response. "Mhhm. But it's a good thing. I could tell what a great hero you're going to become."

"Thanks, Kaoruko," the (h/c)-haired female smiled at the girl, who returned her smile.

(Y/n) returned her gaze to the front as her smile faltered a bit. She had suddenly remembered Yaoyorozu, her best friend. They would always shop on the weekends and hang out but these days, everyone has been so busy with their lives that they hadn't had time for each other.

God, I miss her...

"What's wrong, (Y/n)?"

"Huh?" the girl broke out of her train of thoughts and turned to look at Kaoruko who was looking back at her in concern. She smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking about my best friend."

"Oh," Kaoruko nodded in understanding. "Girl or boy?"

"Girl."

"Okay, do you miss her or...?"

(Y/n) sighed and nodded. "I miss her. We always did a lot together but these days, we rarely hang out, you know."

"Hey, don't worry," Kaoruko gently patted shoulder. "Just because you don't talk doesn't mean you're not best friends anymore. I mean, take me for instance," she jerked a thumb towards herself. "I have a friend who I talk to like after six months."

(Y/n) smiled weakly. "I know but...it doesn't hurt to miss her, right?"

"No, it doesn't. It's perfectly normal," Kaoruko shrugged. "Normal than Arika and I that is."

(Y/n) laughed along with Kaoruko, touched by her efforts to make her feel better. She was glad to have made a friend like her.

"Hey, hey (Y/n), check it out," Kaoruko nudged her side and came to a stop in front of a restaurant. She looked inside the window and smiled.

Said girl stopped in her tracks and followed her gaze towards the inside of the restaurant.

"What is it?" (Y/n) inquired as she looked for what was interesting in the restaurant.

"This place," Kaoruko pointed at the restaurant sign and turned to (Y/n) with a grin. "Serves the best food and their fortune cookies are so accurate like I heard they once predicted someone's firstborn child's name and it came true!"

It's like everything in this city is the best. (Y/n) gave her a blank stare and scoffed. "You're exaggerating."

Kaoruko shook her head. "No no no! I'm so serious! They just opened two weeks ago and people always crowd this place. I've always wanted to go but then it gets so busy in the agency that I can't."

"I could go for you, tell you how it is after," (Y/n) shrugged and watched a couple entering the restaurant. Her eyebrows furrowed in thought. "Do people have to have a reservation to get in?"

"Um..." Kaoruko cocked her head to the side. "Depends. It's usually busy over the weekends though. But during weekdays, they pretty much accept walk-ins too."

(Y/n) hummed in response. "Huh, okay."

***

(Y/n) loudly sang her lungs out as she raked her hands through her hair under the shower. The cold water felt refreshing against her skin and it helped take away some of the day's exhaustion.

She raised her chin to allow the water to fall on her face before tilting her head back down. She then moved away from under the shower head and slightly pulled back the shower curtain to take her shampoo from the sink counter.

When her hand grabbed only thin air, she pulled the curtain more to look at the empty spot once occupied by her shampoo.

(Y/n) groaned in frustration under her breath. "Katsuki...why now?"

She sighed and turned off the shower before taking her towel off the rack and tightly wrapping it around her body. She wrung her hair to remove excess water and wrapped another towel around her hair.

With that, she walked out of her room and knocked on the ash-blonde's door.

"What!"

(Y/n) rolled her eyes at his rude response and cupped her hands around her mouth. "It's the shampoo's rightful owner!"

"Get in," his gruff voice sounded from inside and (Y/n) turned the door handle and opened the door.

"You know if you really like smelling like (flavor), I could just buy you-" the girl trailed off and immediately froze in her tracks upon seeing a half-naked Katsuki who only had a towel wrapped around his waist.

Her eyes were widened in shock as her mouth almost fell all the way to the ground. Katsuki's eyes raked over her appearance, a slight blush on his cheeks before they fell back to her eyes, a scowl immediately taking over.

"Don't you fucking-"

The girl burst into laughter. "Pfft! Oh my God! What the-what the fuck?!! Why is your hair like that?!!!" the girl pointed at his head, clutching at her stomach as she doubled over with laughter.

Katsuki shook with anger, his hands balled up into fists. "It's that fucker, Best Jeanist!! I tried to fucking wash it but it's starting to get used to this shit!! Stop laughing dammit!!"

(Y/n) continued laughing and shook her head as she leaned on the door frame for support. "I can't!!! But really, if he was trying to make you look like a joke, he did it well! What's next? Tight jeans?!!"

Katsuki gritted his teeth but made no attempt to deny it, which only made the girl laugh harder.

"Stop laughing or I'll fucking kill you!!!"

"No, I don't think so, amazing 8:2 hair lad!" (Y/n) laughed, wiping away the tears streaming down her face.

Katsuki took a threatening step forward and the girl immediately lifted her hands up in surrender. "Okay! I'll stop laughing!"

She made a zip-like motion over her lips and smiled innocently, though that did not stop snickers that escaped her mouth. Katsuki glared at her more and the girl shook her head, promising not to laugh anymore.

"It's in the fucking bathroom," Katsuki muttered angrily, turning his back to the girl as he went back to stuffing his clothes in his bag.

(Y/n) passed by him, paying a side glance to his hair and instantly covering her mouth before she laughed out loud. She took the shampoo and made her way to the door.

"Don't finish it."

(Y/n) swiveled around and sized him up. "Excuuuuse me, side part boy, but this is my shampoo."

Katsuki's grip on the cloth he was holding tightened at the name she called him and he bared his teeth at her in anger. He quickly swiveled around and threw the cloth at her, nearly hitting her if she hadn't moved aside on time.

"Fucking don't call me that, you dumb fuck!!" he snapped at her, grabbing another cloth from his bed and throwing it at the laughing girl.

(Y/n) dodged the hoodie as it landed on her feet. She sprinted towards the door, ducking her head in time to dodge another piece of clothing. When she finally made it outside, she closed the door behind her but she could still hear Katsuki was still shouting profanities at her. With her back against the door, she made a face when she heard him call her a name that was probably not even considered an insult yet.

She pushed off the door and opened the door again a crack to peek her head inside and poke more fun at him. "But seriously though, that hairstyle makes you look a lot younger."

Katsuki screamed in anger, his hair exploding back into its original self as he bent down to take a boot from under his bed. (Y/n) gasped and closed the door just in time, hearing the banging sound of the boot hitting against the door surface.

She opened it again and held up a hand. "Wait! I come back in peace!!"

Katsuki lowered the other boot but kept it a height that he'd be ready to throw it at her stupid face if she started fucking around. "The fuck you want now?!"

(Y/n) lowered her arm and smiled at him. "I just remembered. Do you wanna go out?"

"Hah?" Katsuki's eyes widened a bit before he furrowed his eyebrows at her.

"You know, go out, with me," she wore a pleading expression and clasped her hands in front of her. "There's a place downtown I'm suddenly dying to go to and I don't wanna go alone."

The ash-blond glowered at her. The girl pulled her lips together in a pout and batted her lashes, making him groan in defeat. He can never win against her, can he? "Fine! But if it's stupid, I'm coming back!"

"Yes!" she briefly punched the air before she placed her hands on her hips. "Wear nice okay?" she then faked a frown. "It's sad your hair is back to normal though, it was fabulous for the occasion."

Katsuki's face turned downright murderous.

"You fuck!!!!"

Laughing, she quickly bolted out of the room as the other boot hit the wall, exactly where her head was earlier as she ran back to her room.

***

"This is stupid."

(Y/n) gave the boy standing behind her a dirty look. "Oh come on, you've been in here for just one minute and you're already complaining," (Y/n) scanned the nearly full restaurant and smiled when she saw a vacant table near the window. "Look there's a seat. Let's head over."

Katsuki reluctantly followed her and sat across from her at the table. She looked around the restaurant, a smile on her face as she took in the exquisite decor. It's no wonder it was famous.

"What are we fucking doing here?" Katsuki grumbled, resting his head on his cheek as he glared at (Y/n).

"Duh, to eat," the girl shot back in an obvious tone. "Besides, I hear they give fortune cookies so accurate they can predict your first born's name."

Katsuki scoffed. "You're insane, besides that's not possible."

(Y/n) rose her eyebrows in a challenging manner. "Oh? Sir Nighteye can predict the future with just one touch," she gave a lopsided grin. "Counter that, bitch."

Katsuki clenched his jaw in irritation and grabbed the menu from the table, putting it up so that his face was covered from (Y/n)'s view.

(Y/n) scoffed at his actions. "So you're gonna ignore me now? You wanna play that game?"

She hooked her finger at the top of the menu and pulled it down, revealing Katsuki's glowering face.

"Piss off, you idiot," he muttered, pulling the menu away from her finger and blocking her view of his face again.

(Y/n) repeated her earlier action, earning a growl from Katsuki. She giggled and snatched the menu away from him, placing it on her lap together with hers.

"How the fuck am I supposed to order?!!" he hissed at her, his face twisted in anger.

"You're not, because I'm going to. My treat," she said, pointing at herself smugly as she awaited his appreciation.

"Go die," Katsuki clicked his tongue and looked away from her, a small blush on his cheeks at all the trouble she had gone through for him, even asking him out.

(Y/n) placed a hand on her chest in mock offense.

"Asshole," she muttered jokingly under her breath, looking away quickly since she knew that he had heard her.

"What did you fucking say to me, bitch?!!"

(Y/n) rolled her eyes, ignoring the other people who were now looking at them in shock.

"Sir, is something the matter?" a waiter inquired, appearing beside a raging Katsuki who turned his anger towards the worker.

"Does anything look like it's the matter?!!"

"Oh dear," the waiter exclaimed in shock, bringing his silver salver closer to his chest and turning to look (Y/n) who gave him a sheepish smile.

"Ignore him, he's on his man period," she said, earning a cry of protest from Katsuki. Rolling her eyes, she took the menus from her lap and quickly skimmed through it.

She gave her order and the waiter left, leaving the two alone once more. (Y/n) smiled innocently at the ash-blond who only glared back at her. They stared at each other for a moment before (Y/n) remembered something she wanted to speak to Katsuki about.

"Oh, Katsuki, I have to tell you something."

"What," he growled in irritation.

"I'm calling off the search. For my parents? I'm calling it off," she explained further, her eyes on the male as she observed his expression.

Katsuki's eyes widened in shock and he suddenly banged his fist on the table in anger, surprising (Y/n) and the other customers.

"What the fuck?! Why?!!"

"Will you shhhh!!" the girl held her finger up to her lips while whisper-yelling. She looked around the resturant at the people who were giving them dirty looks. "We're in a public place! Calm yourself!"

When Katsuki snapped his mouth shut and settled to silently glare at her, she sighed while rubbing her forehead.

"Look, I only did it because, well," she spread her arms wide. "What if they'll come back for me? I mean, I could explain but it took me ages till I even got it myself."

"Are you stupid?!" Katsuki asked the girl in a less loud voice but still more vicious.

"No, I'm not," she frowned. "Besides, my parents are in a lot more trouble than I could ever imagine. Remember when I said they used to work here? Sir Nighteye knew them and he told me that they did and well, their company started making illegal enhancement drugs and got shut down. That was all because my parents did them in and now they had to hide because the owners were angry at them. That's why they gave me up. Look, I know it sounds stupid when I say it but trust me it's more serious than you think."

"Do you see me looking at you like you're stupid?" Katsuki asked after listening to her explanation.

"But you asked me that be-"

"I meant no!!"

(Y/n) sighed and played with the salt shaker on the table. "They're out there, somewhere, scared for their lives and I can't do anything. If I do, who knows what shit I'll get us into. Besides, I don't want to bring you into something that you're not involved in."

Katsuki scoffed in disbelief. "Are you hearing yourself right now? I got involved in your shit the minute I decided to help, now don't go around feeling responsible for whatever happens to me, okay?"

"And that's another reason why I'm calling it off. I don't want you to get hurt."

Katsuki scowled and ran his hand over his face as (Y/n) smirked. She placed her arms on the table and leaned nearer a bit to him.

"Don't worry. That doesn't mean we don't get to hang out. Unless you were hanging out with me just because of that..." the girl muttered, narrowing her eyes at him in suspicion.

"What?!! No!!!"

(Y/n) giggled. "Good. Because I'm too used to you to get rid of you."

A flush crept up his face, her innocent words rendering him speechless. He was happy, but most of all relieved. The minute she told him that the search was off, he thought that she'd drop him like a hot tamale and forget he ever existed but hearing those words erased all his worries.

He looked away from her so that she wouldn't see his red cheeks. A small victorious smirk then creeped up his lips, out of view from the girl.

***

"Fortune cookie time!" (Y/n) said in a sing-song voice as the waiter placed two saucers with cookies on the table when they were done with their meal.

She snatched hers and instantly cracked it open, the paper inside falling on the saucer. She placed the broken cookies back on the saucer and took it the paper, smoothed it out and read it.

If you lift your head, only then, will you find everything you're looking for

What kind of bullshit fortune is this? Forehead creasing, she turned the paper to check the back only to find it blank. She made a face and turned the paper back around.

Realizing that it was probably a fake and that it wouldn't hurt to try, she lifted her head up from the paper. She then paused when her eyes met with Katsuki, who was frowning down at his fortune.

The girl furrowed her eyebrows and reread the fortune, repeating her actions and getting the same results.

Maybe they mean when I look up literally...she thought as she looked up at the ceiling. The ceiling was fitted with a one-way mirror and she only saw her reflection. Her eyes then involuntarily fell on Katsuki's reflection across from hers, his explosive ash-blond hair mostly visible. The girl looked down at the fortune and shook her head.

Accurate my ass...she scoffed mentally as she crumpled up the piece of paper and shoved it into her pocket. She ignored the fortune, deeming it as just another fortune that probably applied in another occasion.

Ignoring the weird feeling in her gut, she rested her chin on her palm as her eyes fell on Katsuki. "What'd you get?"

The male tossed the paper onto the table and leaned back into the chair, head tilted back as he glared at the ceiling. "'Accept things the way they are'. What the fuck is that's supposed to fucking mean?" he then lifted his head to look back at her. "What'd you get?"

(Y/n) cleared her voice and her eyes darted up as she thought of a phrase that sounded believable. "Uh...'success only comes if you look up'. I mean, seriously?" she scoffed a laugh and cast her gaze on the table. "They can miss me with that bullshit."

The male simply rolled his eyes and scowled at her.

"Told you this place is stupid. Can't even get the stupid fortune right," he muttered angrily under his breath as he glared outside the window.

"Yeah...stupid..." (Y/n) agreed, also turning to look out of the window.

They fell silent as both stared outside, each dwelling in their own thoughts. (Y/n) risked a peek at him sideways out of the corner of her eye and pursed her lips. She then mentally shook her head and brushed the thought away, dismissing it as something without meaning and just coincidence.

The waiter brought the bill and it was paid for. As the duo rose from their seats to get out, (Y/n) accidentally knocked over the salt shaker from the table. As she bent down to pick it up, she saw the paper which belonged to Katsuki.

Must've fallen. She picked it up together with the salt shaker. As she placed the shaker down, she couldn't help but read the fortune for the sake of it.

Once you finally reveal your true feelings will then everything be set into motion

(Y/n) furrowed her eyebrows and reread them.

Did he...lie to me?

"(Y/n)! Get your punk ass here!!" Katsuki called out to her, making her jump in surprise as she quickly stuffed the paper in her pocket. She turned to follow him out the door, grateful that he hadn't seen her read his paper.

"What the fuck were you doing? Going for round two?" Katsuki asked as once they were out of the restaurant.

(Y/n) shook her head and glanced at him as they walked back to the motel in silence.

In all fairness, I also lied to him too so I couldn't be mad. But then, what feelings could those be?

After a lot of silent thinking, she shrugged, forgetting about the matter altogether. It was no use pondering about it all her life. She couldn't ask him about it because he'd know she read it but then again it was none of her business.

Besides, it most probably wasn't about her anyway.

***