Today, I was allowed out. Though it was only for the ceremony, if I didn't show up, Nezu would just say the usual, that I'm dead. I've debated in my head all day if I should go or not.

Cause the thing is, if I stay and announce that I'm alive, my life will never be the same again. I mean, they've all done just fine without me for 5 years, what's a few more years?

On the other hand, it was nice to talk to Izuku and my family again. I've forgotten how it felt to be just... me. No missions, no fighting, just talking. But then, where's the thrill in that? I already miss my katana and the way I would fly through missions with it as 'Scarlet sword'.

As the sun was setting, I thought about it once more. Should or shouldn't I truly return?

"Hey, nurse?"

"Yes ms?"

"Could someone take me out? There's someplace I want to go."

After a whole lot of convincing, they agreed to letting me go out to get some fresh air with Aizawa and Izuku accompanying me. Everyone was on their ways home from work, they didn't even notice me on the streets of this city. After a few minutes of walking, I stopped at this one building.

A building past and present me remembers.

"Izuku, would you mind just throwing me up to the roof?"

Aizawa rolled his eyes and nudged him to go up there with me. Izuku carried me bridal style and jumped onto the roof, where we saw a very angry ash blonde shouting and blasting explosions towards the sky.

Just as my green eyed friend was about to go there, I put my arm out and stopped him. I also tried to stop my tears from falling, thinking about how long it's been.

I didn't tell any of the nurses this but, ever since I got my memories back, I keep getting these nightmares. Nightmares where I would be tied up in an old bar and the league keeps drawing out my blood to get my quirk.

Nightmares where I would tell Kacchan that everything would be alright.

I carefully walked closer to him, thinking of ways I could calm him down. And that's when it hit me, he was still coming up to this rooftop, our rooftop.

Or well, his spot where I just kinda tagged along.

But still, I found it sweet that he still comes up here. Especially right before the ceremony.

"If one day you wake up and find that you're missing me..."

He stopped blasting at the sound of my voice, but didn't turn around. Instead, he inhaled sharply and let out a cry, blasting one last time towards the sky. I stepped closer to him before continuing.

"And your heart... starts to wonder where on this earth I could be..." I sang quietly, but just loud enough for him to hear. More tears danced around my cheeks.

I stood right behind him now and slowly put my shaking hand on his shoulder. His body relaxed but he was still breathing heavily.

"Thinking... maybe you'll c-come back..." my voice was now also shaky, but I tried my best to face him and took my hand in his.

"To the place that we'd meet..." I gave him a ghost of a smile and squeezed his hand as I looked into his glossy eyes.

"And you'll see me waiting for you..." he sang quietly and took his other hand and put it on my face, wiping away my tears while his own kept on running.

"On the corner of the... street." and with that, he hugged me tight. Like he didn't want to let go. The type of hug you'll only get once in your life.

The type of hug you'll never forget, no matter how many times you die.

We cried in each other's arms for I don't even know how long. One of his hands were in my hair, the other holding me close by my lower back.

"I never moved..." he murmured.

Both were just sniffing at this point, just happy to be together again. His arms are like this warm blanket that you feel safe in. His surprisingly soft hair was on my face but I didn't care. I only cared about him in this moment, we both needed this.

We pulled apart and he just looked me in the eyes, like he wasn't sure this was real. He also kept on stroking my back and waist with his hands, like if we would've let go, I'd disappear.

"And I came running to the rooftop, Kacchan..." I smiled, eyes red from all the crying.

"Cause you knew it was just for you... only you." he whispered that last part.

He kissed my forehead and pulled me into a hug again with his chin resting on my head. I relaxed against his much bigger body as the sun behind us was setting.

"Uhm... guys? The ceremony's starting soon. We better go." Izuku said.

Kacchan let go of me and took my hand in his. We walked towards Izuku but I let go of his hand and stopped. Both looked at me perplexed.

"I... I can't go. You guys have to know that... I'm not who I used to be."

They looked at each other before looking back at me, Izuku spoke up.

"Zella, we don't know what you've been through. But we'll love you no matter what... and it's not just us. There's a whole city waiting for you. A city who loves you." Izuku gave a comforting smile.

"You promise?"

Kacchan put both his hands on my face and stroked my cheeks with his thumbs.

"Always."

- - -

In the city hall, almost every big hero was attending the ceremony of Zella Mikio. Principal Nezu stood at the podium, ready for his speech as usual. Since I hadn't given them an answer, he had to tell everyone that she's still gone.

Only a few know that she's not, but there's still a whole lot of people who'll be sad to hear his news.

"May I please have your attention."

The room became quiet and sad. Hard day for everyone, especially my former classmates who were sitting at the front row, the heroes who failed to save me and my family.

What no one knew, was that I was hiding backstage and listened to his speech. I hadn't planned on being there but after last year, I was curious.

"As you all know, today marks 5 years since our beloved Zella died. That means 5 years of working harder and better as heroes, so that we won't fail another child ever again. 5 years of trying to become better people, so that she smiles down on us, hoping that we're making her proud of our-"

I couldn't take it. My peers were crying, even the ones I've already talked to. I was being selfish by just watching this. I've been breaking their hearts over and over again, every damn year.

But not this year.

I emerged from the backstage and walked towards principal Nezu. Every person in that room was in shock, all cameras and eyes on me from every direction. Ready to capture every word, there was no going back now.

Nezu gave me a reassuring smile and walked away from the podium. I took a deep breath and didn't want to make eye contact with anyone, or I would cry. So I went ahead to find the most comforting eyes I could, of someone I've already talked to. A lot for that matter. My best friend, Izuku Midoriya.

"G-good evening..." I started and cleared my throat.

"I almost didn't come here tonight. I almost let everyone believe that Zella Mikio was dead. I almost left this city behind... But a good friend reminded me that I have people who love me here, even though I've forgotten a lot about them." I inhaled sharply as I tried to contain my tears.

"So here I am... yours truly. I am alive and well, please stop asking questions about me. Thank you."

I ran out of the room not noticing the horrified faces of my old friends. Even the paparazzi, for once, were speechless.