I sat up in bed, resting my chin on my knees whilst I hugged them tightly.

I want to see her, I thought.

It was only two days to go until I'd get to talk to Kyouka again, until I'd see her at school, but ever since I'd woken up a few hours ago she was all I could think about.

Not that she hasn't been all I could think about for weeks.

I wanted to hear her sing again as well. Is that a strange thing to desire? I wondered, too, if she ever writes her own songs. And if so, what they're about.

I felt cold as I sat there, the bundles of blankets not being enough for once. That morning I woke up in Kyouka's embrace had been the warmest I'd ever felt. I wondered if that would ever happen again. I liked to be close to her.

I just wanted to see her again.

48 hours was long, too long in my opinion, but it was time spent with Eri. So I decided, as I swung my legs off of my bed, that for now I'd focus on treasuring that time with my sister.

Oh. And with a cat.

Eri'd woken up hours ago, and was too excited at the prospect of a new fluffy pet to fall back asleep as she usually did. Still, she was being forced to wait anxiously as Shota woke up slowly and made breakfast at his usual unhurried pace.

My stomach growled and I stood up. I guess I did skip dinner last night. 'Last night'. I was reminded once again of the momentous conversation I'd had with angry boi not twelve hours prior.

Love, huh. Love. How odd.

I never saw myself making it here, to a place where I felt secure enough to love someone. I never expected to make it out of the LOV, or to make it out of my teens. But here I am, the happiest I have ever been.

Not that that is saying much considering the life I've led so far.

"Breakfast!" I heard a familiar groggy voice call from the kitchen.

"Coming!" I yelled back. Loudly.

"I'm gonna go for a walk. Breakfast was good, dad. Thanks." I addressed my dad as I hopped off the stool I'd been perched on and grabbed my coat.

"You didn't finish your bacon." He protested. I shrugged,

"You can have the rest."

"Ahah yess." He cheered, already dumping the rest of my plate onto his own.

"Bye!" I yelled back as I slipped on my boots and left through the front door.

"Cool, love ya kid!" He shouted back as I closed the door behind me, words muffled and contorted by a mouthful of food.

I didn't spend much time at home on the weekends we were allowed to leave the dorms. I loved my parents and spending time with them, but since moving into UA I hadn't really been able to wander the neighborhood as I'd so frequently done when I was little.

There was also a music shop downtown that I'd been planning to visit since I'd first heard that they were closing soon and therefore all their stuff was on sale.

I yawned as I walked. I didn't sleep much last night. I hadn't, in fact, been able to sleep very well for a while now. Especially this weekend. I had not until now realized how comforting it was to have (n/n) asleep just across the hall. It had assured me that if I suddenly wanted to confess my feelings to her, or even just wanted to talk, all I'd have to do was walk up to her door.

I couldn't exactly do that now. I had to wait until Monday to see her.

I thought about what Yaomomo had insinuated, that if (y/n) had feelings she may not be able to figure them out without help from someone else. I wondered if I could get Momo to talk to her.

No, I thought. That's childish. I have to talk to her myself.

I twisted one of my rings nervously at the thought.

It wasn't long before the old music shop was in sight. It was in an odd place for a music shop in my opinion. Normally I'd imagine one next to a coffee shop or thrift store. Just kinda fits the vibe. But this one was situated between an office supply emporium and across the street from a new-ish looking rescue center.

I could already hear one of my favorite bands playing over the speakers towards the back of the music shop as I turned the door handle to let myself in.

The pet shop was lively, and smelled of fish feed and birds. Bakugo had stayed at home, explaining that he had no interest in spending time with such creatures.

Whether he was speaking of the animals or us was debatable.

Before, I had thought that Shota had only agreed to adopt a cat to keep Eri entertained and joyful, but now, seeing him unable to tear slightly widened eyes away from the kitten enclosure I realized that he might have more of a soft spot for the animal than I had thought.

There was one particular kitten that seemed to have captured the attention of both Shota and Eri, a small scruffy black cat with bright yellow eyes and the tip of it's tiny pink tongue just barely sticking out of its mouth.

"He's so cute." Eri marveled in a quiet voice, eyes sparkling.

"He is," Shota agreed, hands pressed up against the glass and facial expression softer than I'd ever witnessed on him. I giggled happily at the sight of the two- three of them, and my laugh must've caught Shota's attention because he quickly cleared his throat and composed himself. "I mean, it seems decent. What do you think, Eri?"

"He's perfect!" Eri exclaimed, smile wide, eyes still trained on the cat, who stared almost creepily right back at her.

"Alright then."

Shota sent me to go get an employee, who brought the cat out of it's enclosure and placed it in Eri's awaiting embrace. Then we went to gather all of the necessary items for the new family member, and finally sign all of the papers and pay.

Everything was quite efficient and went much faster than I had imagined. Soon, we were outside, Shota holding Eri's hand as we got ready to cross the street, Eri holding the sweet little kitten, and me with the bag of it's bowl, food, and other materials.

"What are you going to name it?" I asked her as we began crossing.

"I think I'll name him- hmmm," She thought for a moment, and then said confidently, "Hero. That's what I'll name him. That way he'll know that he's just as important as all of the other heroes I love. Like Zaza, and Deku, and Mirio, and you," I smiled. "And even the angry boy on our couch. He's ok."

Me, a hero. I guess now that Eri considered me one it was decided. Not that I minded being another of the people that she looked up to, though I didn't think I should be considered on par with ones as amazing as Mirio and Midoriya.

Maybe for now I could just work to be the sister that she looks up to, and then one day I'll grow into the hero that she already admires.

Slowly but surely I know I'll get there.

"Huh," Shota hummed, interrupting my thoughts. I turned my head to where he was looking. "I didn't know this place was closing, it's been here as long as I've lived in this neighborhood."

"So a long time," Eri stated. "'Cuz you're kinda old."

I held in a laugh and instead inspected this shop which Shota was speaking of.

It was small, with a yellow poster board sign on it's front door letting customers know of it's inevitable closing. I peered into the window.

"A music shop?" I asked aloud. Shota nodded.

"I've never actually been inside, but now that I know it won't be here anymore, I kind of want-"

"Let's go in!" Eri exclaimed, interrupting him. She looked towards me expectantly,

"Um, sure." I agreed, assuming it was alright with Shota as I was fairly certain that was what he was about to propose anyway.

Either way I was glad that one of them suggested it, because ever since Kyouka had first played for me I'd been interested in music and all things to do with it.

I wondered if there was something in there I could get for her, I had a little money after all, and I always wanted to find ways to show her how grateful I was for her.. um.. existence. I don't know if existence is something that you buy gifts for, but it felt right enough.

We entered the little store and as soon as the door shut behind us I could hear the faint sound of music playing in the background. It kind of sounded like the stuff Kyouka was interested in, though I didn't know if I was a good enough judge of that.

Someone from the back greeted us as we walked inside.

"Hey, welcome! Today everything's on sale. Let me know if you have any questions." The masculine voice shouted warmly.

"This place is nice." I commented aloud, already liking the atmosphere. Shota nodded.

"Reminds me of some place Hizashi used to drag me to back in highschool."

I couldn't imagine Mic in a place like this, it seemed a little too chill for his loud demeanor, but maybe the two of them were a little different back then.

Seems unlikely.

Eri stood on her tiptoes and pulled Shota down to whisper something in his ear, then pointed to something down the guitar aisle, which was out of my line of sight from where I stood. He nodded and straightened up.

"We're going to go look at the magazines at the back. Feel free to wander around. Maybe look at the guitars, I think they might interest you." He said before walking off with a bouncy Eri in tow.

"Um.. okay." I thought the interaction a little odd, but followed his advice, thinking that if anything I might find a suitable gift in the aisle he'd mentioned. Though even if they were on sale I didn't think I'd exactly have the pocket money for an entire guitar.

I peeked around the aisle and immediately saw a figure sitting on a stool strumming an electric guitar, facing away from me. The back of their head familiarly purple haired and their clothing leather.

I gaped, a blush forming on my cheeks, and then smiled.

I stood still for a moment, debating the move that I was about to make.

I liked her.

I loved her.

Kiri'd insinuated that she loved me.

Whether that was true or not, I wasn't going to wait around and stay silent.

I hadn't spoken up all my life.

Not when my parents locked me away in my room, I hadn't. I'd trusted their judgment, trusted that I was dangerous, and not argued once with their methods.

Not with Chisaki. I'd done everything I could to make the best of the moments me and Eri weren't being abused and tortured, and had come up with a million escape plans in the dark of night, but had never actually stood up to him face to face.

Not with the LOV. I'd struggled, sure, but not enough. I'd never yelled, bargained, or anything of the sort with them or their leader. I simply thought that that had been the hand I'd been dealt and wallowed in self pity.

Not when I was presented with a new warm, happier life. Then, there wasn't much to speak up about. But still, I never considered if I might want something different, or to ask for something else I might need.

But now. I was in control of my own life. For the most part. And I had found someone who made me sure that I could change this 'hand I'd been dealt', if I so wanted to. And someone I could imagine a future with when before I could never imagine a future at all.

And I was going to speak up this time.

"Hey, Kyouka."

Her head turned.

And there were her beautiful dark eyes, slightly surprised, and once again, looking into mine.

😌