"The tangent of x is equal to cosine over sine...or what was it again?" (Y/n) buried a hand in her hair as she tried to recall the particular formula. Her eyes were squeezed shut while she incessantly drummed her the end of her pencil on the pages of her textbook. On coming up with nothing, she then let out a frustrated groan and began massaging the back of her sore neck. Giving up on both the sum and her violated brain, she dropped her hand from her neck and fell back on her bed. The heavy textbook slid from her lap and landed on the floor with a loud thud.

(Y/n) didn't bother to pick it up and chose to remain in her position. She stared up at the ceiling with dejected eyes and sighed. Nearly a whole week. Four days of the same repetitive study cycle, same results, no improvement.

The girl crossed her arms over her eyes to block out the light. She began to mindlessly twirl the pencil that was still in her fingers.

She felt exhausted and her brain felt like it had an overload. Over the four days, she had been struggling to study but hadn't gotten so far. It was like her mind was rejecting any information she tried to force-feed it and it was putting up a strong fight. She didn't feel this way while studying for the midterms, so why now? Her study methods hadn't changed so what was causing the reaction?

(Y/n) removed her arms from over her eyes and sat up. She stared at the fallen textbook with disdain.

She knew what was wrong. It wasn't as a surprise actually, because it was bound to happen. The emptiness she felt since that night, since that Monday, it didn't come as a surprise to her if she thought about it.

Her phone suddenly vibrated with a message. (Y/n)'s eyes fell on the device lying face down beside her and picked it up. A distraction seemed like a good idea at the time.

[1:46 pm] Kirijiro: Hey, we have a study session at a small café in town. Wanna join?

(Y/n) wiggled her thumbs over the keys, contemplating how to gently turn him down when another text appeared.

[1:47 pm] Kirijiro: Pls don't say no. Don't be a stranger 😄

The female let out a soft snort. Kirishima had been trying to reach out to her and invite her to their 'study dates' ever since they started but she declined all of them. She still trained with Katsuki after school, so there was that, but she chose to read by herself. It was already the weekend, two more days remaining till the day of the finals and she hadn't made any progress. Maybe if she joined them, she might actually get something done.

Choosing to finally accept his invitation, she sent him a quick text before hopping off her bed to pick out a change of clothes.

[1:50 pm] (Y/n): Alright 😊 text me the name of the place. Be right there in 15

***

This must be the place...(Y/n) thought as she checked out the outside facade of the café. It relayed the image of a simple, quiet and a comfortable establishment. An ideal place for studying indeed.

Only...

"HOW THE FUCK DO YOU MANAGE TO FUCK UP THE SPELLING?!!"

(Y/n) made a withered face. Of course, it wasn't so much a quiet place anymore with him around...

She jerked her head towards the direction of one of the café's window when she thought she saw a mini explosion erupting from inside and she frowned. She was in the right place alright. How they were still allowed in there was a wonder to her considering how many times they've been told to leave public premises due to Katsuki's, quote, unquote "distressing behavior". Or maybe he was a regular customer and they'd rather deal with him than lose the pay.

Pushing back strands of hair from her face, she made her way inside. The small bell above the door chimed with her action and a waitress flashed her a welcoming smile. (Y/n) returned the gesture and looked around the café to locate the two boys. Just like outside, the inside décor was simple yet classy. The mouthwatering smell of rich coffee wafted everywhere, making her desire her own cup considering the slightly chilly weather outside. To top it off, it was warm inside and the low music playing in the background made the place even more welcoming. The café was rather deserted, therefore making it easier for her to find them.

(Y/n) went towards them and slid into the seat beside Katsuki unannounced. Both boys whipped their heads towards the intruder and relaxed upon seeing the familiar face.

"Missed me?" she asked and took off her bag from her shoulders to set it on the table.

"No."

(Y/n) rolled her eyes at Katsuki's idle reply and took out her books from her bag. She placed the bag beside her on the seat and opened up her textbooks.

"Didn't think you'd show up, (Y/n)," Kirishima dramatically placed a hand on his chest in much hurt. "I mean, considering how many times you've said no to Yours Truly."

The girl gave a half-suppressed laugh and held up a finger. "Okay, first of all, never say 'Yours Truly' again," the boy's face fell. (Y/n) held up another finger. "And second, be honored I even considered getting out of the house when it's a weekend." She then folded her forearms over the table and looked back and forth between the two boys with interest. "Anyway...What'cha doin'?" she asked in a sing-song voice.

Kirishima sighed and looked down at his exercise book with a distressed look. "English..."

(Y/n) arched her eyebrow at his expression before her eyes fell on the rolled up book in Katsuki's grip. Her eyes then met his own and his narrowed, daring her to question his tutoring methods.

"Educational slavery..." her brows drew together before breaking eye contact with Katsuki and beaming at Kirishima. "You're doing well..."

"Tch," the ash-blonde leaned back on the seat, his fiery eyes glued on Kirishima with disapproval swirling in them. "This dumbass doesn't even know the fucking difference between grey and gray."

Kirishima sputtered and threw his hands in the air in exasperation. "Th-That's because I don't see the difference! They sound the same and they stand for the same color!"

"Don't fucking argue with me!!" Katsuki's straightened up with a snarl, a vein popping out of his neck. "It's not my fucking fault you keep losing brain cells because you keep arguing about easy, stupid shit like that!!" he roughly struck the boy's head with the book, making (Y/n) wince. "Now quit flapping your gums and recite the alphabet fifty times!"

"But-!"

"Now!!!"

The redhead's shoulders sagged in defeat and hung his head in shame as he began reciting the English alphabet. "A, b, c, d, e, f..."

"Well aren't we just two scoops of grumpy in a bowl of bitchy this afternoon..." (Y/n) muttered. She turned her head to face her seething boyfriend and rested her cheek on her palm. "On a scale from one to ten, how bad do you want to kill him right now?"

Katsuki pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm hovering somewhere in the high forties."

(Y/n) covered her mouth with her palm to stifle her laugh.

"If I'm not harsh with him, the idiot will fail his exams and no one who gets tutored by me has the permission to fail. Else I'll kill the fuckwit," he replied offhandedly as he turned his focus on (Y/n)'s books and pushed them closer to him to check them out.

Kill him, he says...

"Oi, (Y/n)!"

"Yeah?" said girl broke out of her thoughts to turn to the boy when she suddenly felt a harsh smack on her head. Her hands flew up to rub the damaged spot. She sent a glare towards the culprit who returned the glare hundredfold while raising the 'weapon' in preparation to strike again. (Y/n) flinched and instinctively crossed her arms over her head to protect her head. "What's your problem all of a sudden?!"

"This!" Katsuki picked up her exercise book and shoved it to her face. "What the fuck is this?!"

The female slightly lowered her arms to stare at the scattered nonsensical writings and doodles she had done when she couldn't get any studying done. She might've also happened to have written the entire lyrics of her favorite song on the next page.

(Y/n) sighed and let her arms fall on the table. She turned her gaze down the marble top and traced a nail over a stubborn, yellow stain smeared on it. "I couldn't get any reading done, okay? That's pretty much why I'm here in the first place."

"You could've just said so, you dumb fuck," Katsuki tossed the book back to her, which she caught (after many miserable attempts). "You're behind and we only have two more days."

"Don't you think I know?" she set the book back on the table with a sigh. She turned her face away from Katsuki to look at Kirishima. He was very busy counting off his fingers while reciting the alphabet. Each time he'd mess up, he'd furiously bury his hands in his hair and ruffle it up before restarting the alphabet anew. (Y/n) smiled at his determination. He was working hard. She should too. She smiled to herself and looked back at Katsuki. "You know, if you help me, I may catch up to you guys."

Katsuki smirked at her dangerously while rolling up his book (read: club) tighter. "Sure 'bout that?"

(Y/n) eyed the book with dread and silently gulped. On the high road to another bad decision, huh (Y/n)?

The girl simply shrugged, a small smile on her lips. "I'm all yours."

***

After a grueling five hours of pain and misery, (Y/n) was finally done with her studying. She wasn't actually done but the minute Katsuki mentioned Math, she made up a horrible but convincing excuse so that she'd bolt. The look of betrayal Kirishima sent her when she packed up her things failed to make her feel guilty but she did send a short prayer for his head.

On the way home, she made a few stops to buy some things before stopping outside an electronic shop's window display. Several television sets were arranged on top of each other and were all tuned to the same channel, all broadcasting the fight occurring downtown.

Twenty minutes had already passed and she was still standing there. The chilly weather and wind blowing through the city made her want to hurry back home but she didn't. Standing there brought back memories of when she was young and she wanted to savor it for a while. But also, she really wanted to know who was winning because the villain was actually putting up a pretty good fight.

"(Y/n)."

The girl jerked her head in the direction of the voice and slightly tensed. Standing in front of her was Shouto, dressed in casual clothing and looking at her like he wasn't expecting to run into her.

Well, it's not like she expected to run into him either.

"Oh, um, hi," she forced a smile on her face.

"Hello," Shouto said and turned his head to look inside the window. "Kamui Woods?"

(Y/n) followed his line of vision to see said hero struggling to lift off some rubble off him with the help of his branches. "Apparently."

The boy said nothing and took his place beside the girl to watch along with her. (Y/n) sent him one last side-long glance before paying attention back on the screen. Explosions and flashes of light kept flickering on the TV while the news reporter at the scene tried to keep up with whatever was happening while reporting.

"So...how are you?" Shouto asked after a moment of silence. (Y/n) turned her head to look at him only to find him looking back at her.

"...I'm good."

"Good," he said and looked back at the TVs.

(Y/n) stiffly nodded while shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She didn't want to continue with the uncomfortable greetings but she found herself opening her big mouth anyway.

"How are you?"

Shouto looked back at (Y/n) with an unreadable expression. "I'm good."

Should've kept it shut.

"Good..." she looked back at the TVs. "...That's good."

"Good."

(Y/n) wanted to smack herself. As if the situation couldn't get any more awkward.

"(Y/n)."

"Hmm?" she turned back to him.

"You have something in your hair..." he said while transfixing his heterochromatic eyes on her (h/c) hair. "Do you want me to get it out?"

Her hand instinctively went up to remove it but stopped halfway when she remembered that she didn't know where 'the something' was. She let her hand fall back to her side and nodded. "Uhh...yeah, um, it's fine."

Again, as if the situation couldn't get any more awkward.

She averted her eyes away from him when he raised his hand to her head. Shouto gently raked his fingers through her hair and she stiffened. The meager action brought too many memories, to begin with, it almost made her heart twist.

Before she knew it, Shouto had stopped and was back to watching the fight. (Y/n) peeked at him sideways out of a narrow corner of her eye. She squinted. For a person who was simply 'removing the something', he looked oddly satisfied.

Choosing to let the issue go, she resumed her focus back on the fight. The awkward atmosphere between them slowly melded into a comfortable silence and she was finally able to relax.

In the middle of watching, (Y/n) began focusing out as different thoughts started to cross her mind. What bothered her was the most though was the feeling of hollowness that kept gradually increasing the longer she thought. Another thing that crossed her mind in lieu with that feeling was that in a few years to come, she'd be on the other side of the screen engaged in battle. And before she knew it, she had begun speaking.

"What a life, huh?" Shouto turned his head to look at her. "The pro-hero one."

"What of it?" he asked.

"Risking your life every day to save others in exchange for money and fame. Some do it for the glory. Some for self-gratification and some...to prove a point," she frowned at the screens. "Kinda cynical now that I look at it."

Shouto regarded her words for a moment before asking. "Where's all this coming from?"

"Just watching all this...and seeing my life." She gave a bitter laugh. "Y'know, sometimes I like to think that God has a favorite drama TV series and it's called "my life"."

"Then it must have very low ratings."

(Y/n) sent him an affronted look. "I'm not that boring. I mean, sure, I'm not some special snowflake or anything," She turned her gaze downwards to the concrete floor. "My parents were not pro-heroes or villains. I neither have an all-powerful Quirk that might go berserk and kill everyone without warning nor do I have a dangerous body part like an eye that has to be covered up with a patch all the time. I'm just..." She lifted her shoulder in a half-shrug. "...me. All I do is eat, sleep, study and deal with a myriad of boys." She looked back up at Shouto and locked gazes with him. "You know, I think I just might be a teenage sitcom gone terribly wrong."

He sent her a small smile. "You don't have to be different to be special. You're already special in your own way."

"I know that," she took in a long breath and loudly exhaled. She jammed her hands in the pockets of her hoodie and shrugged. "I was just making a point."

"...Hmm."

A beat of silence passed between them and both returned to watching the fight that was nearly concluded. So far, another pro-hero had joined in to help Kamui. (Y/n) pursed her lips and glanced at the side of Shouto's head. He remained focused on the screen, his soft hair gently blowing in the breeze like a red and white wave of vibrant beauty. It almost looked surreal.

(Y/n) pressed her lips together, her eyes flickering to the side then back to him.

"Hey, Shouto."

Shouto turned back to her, curiosity in his eyes despite the aloof expression. "What is it?"

(Y/n) chewed on her bottom lip for a second as she tried to make up her mind about whether to tell him or not. She chose to fuck it and tell him. "...I don't think I wanna be a hero anymore..."

The boy blinked. "...Why do you say that?"

"Remember the reason I told you of why I joined U.A in the first place?"

"To get enough money so you can acquire unlimited access to anything you want to eat?"

"I said that?" she squinted her eyes at him.

"You were a hungry kid," he shrugged before giving her a once over. "I'm guessing you still are..." he paused for a while before continuing. "Have you lost wei-"

"Back-" (Y/n) held up her hand with a stern look on her face. "-to the important point. Do you remember?"

Shouto smiled at her expression but answered nonetheless. "You were in it for your parents. So that they'd be proud, even if they were far away."

"Well, now I've lost my reason to." She averted her bleak eyes to the screens.

Shouto took a moment to connect the dots before a look of realization dawned on his face. He glanced at the girl, for a moment not knowing what to do or say to comfort her. His arms remained at his sides, hands squeezed into fists. He hated the fact that he couldn't hug her or touch her in any way to make the pain go away. So feeling a little bit dejected himself, he looked at the ground and frowned. "Oh...I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. It's not your fault." She dismissed. "Anyway, just recently I figured out that after all this time, I've still been doing this hero thing for them, consciously or not. And now they're gone-"

"You feel empty."

"Exactly," she looked back at him. "And I hate it. Coz I feel so lost all of a sudden. The interest I had is now gone. I can't even study as well as I did on my own before. I can't concentrate unless I'm in a group study." She clasped her hands behind her back and looked heavenward to gaze up to the cloudless, grey sky. "It was like a cry of attention, y' know? Like how a kid who's overlooked begins to pull pranks just so they can be paid more attention to. I joined heroism so that my parents could see me. To see what I've become. That the kid they left behind...was not so worthless." She frowned. "Guess there's no point in that now...huh..."

When she finished speaking, he was silent for a long time. The boy looked up at the sky for a moment and took in a deep breath. The faint smell of rain and earth wafted in the city air. It was comforting yet filled with turmoil at the same time. He looked down at the girl standing beside him.

Comforting, yet filled with turmoil. Quite like being around her these days, he thought to himself.

"So what do you want to become?" he broke his silence and she looked back at him.

She gave a half-shrug. "I don't know, something else maybe?"

"...You could be a teacher," he offered. The image of (Y/n) teaching children painted a nice picture in his mind. At least she'd be safe in that profession.

"A...teacher?" (Y/n) lifted an amused eyebrow. "You're kidding, right?"

"No. Unless you set yourself up to deliberately fail, get dropped out of the course and be put in the general course or change schools, you can still continue on with this course. Then after you graduate, take a year to make a name for yourself then retire to be a pro-hero teacher like ours." He paused to offer her a soft smile. "Or become a florist."

"...I'm oddly scared of bees."

"That so?"

"Yeah."

Silence.

(Y/n) decided to put some thought into his suggestion and found herself actually not minding the idea. Besides, she liked kids, only, she doesn't think she'd be able to handle those many small children. Plus, a job at U.A didn't sound so bad. She'd still be using whatever she learned in school so her years wouldn't be wasted.

She smiled to herself. For the first time in nearly a week, the emptiness inside didn't feel so...empty anymore.

"Your idea doesn't suck by the way."

"You like it?" he asked, a bit surprised that she considered it from the get-go.

"Yeah," she nodded and turned her gaze to the side. "In fact, I'm considering it right now. I mean, better dealing with teenagers than pre-school kids, right?"

Shouto nodded in agreement. Something inside him felt lighter upon gazing on her beatific smile. He wouldn't trade that moment for the world.

She flashed him a grateful grin. "Thanks"

"You're welcome," he said. "Have you told Bakugou yet?"

Why would you ask that? She cringed. "...Not yet."

"I thought communication was important in any relationship," he deadpanned.

"Ha," (Y/n) said without humor but paid no much attention to his words. "Knowing him, he'd probably hit me over the head with a rolled up four-hundred-page textbook while repeatedly yelling at me to 'snap out of it'," she rubbed the back of her head and shuddered upon recalling how many times he hit her earlier whenever she got a question wrong. "I'm still mentally and physically preparing myself for that."

"Hm." The boy bore his mismatched eyes into her with an inscrutable look for a moment before turning back to the long forgotten fight. A small beep suddenly went off from his pocket and he quickly fished out his phone. He read the message with no reaction before looking back at (Y/n). "I hate to cut this short but I have to go. My sister is asking for my whereabouts."

She shook her head. "No, no. It's alright. Say hi to her for me."

"I will," He briefly nodded while pocketing the phone. He sent her one last look, which was returned with a closed-mouth grin as a goodbye. Nodding one last time, he made to turn to walk away but halted in his tracks. He looked back at the girl.

"...(Y/n)..."

"What is it?"

"You know," he offered her a small smile while extending his hand to her. "You can call me whenever you want...Even if you don't have a reason to."

(Y/n) stared at the hand before her own smile graced her lips. What a coincidence it was that she had to meet him in such a place only for him to make her feel better and help her clear her mind.

She scoffed mentally. She really was a sitcom, wasn't she?

"Alright," (Y/n) took his hand in hers and shook it. "I'll make a point to remember that."

***