Nejire was bouncing nervously on her heels as Mr. Aizawa took Yui away. She was torn between talking to Tomono about how his words can affect others, after all he was too much of a nice guy to have meant to say those words so cruelly. He was probably all frazzled about his classmates being in danger is all.

Nejire shook her head clear of the distracting thoughts, no that wasn't really what was important! Rushing over to her two partners in crime, she couldn't help blurting out, "Guys! Did you see Yui's face, we've gotta do something! I can just tell she feels so guilty. Accidents happen!" She gave a pouting stomp while Mirio raised his hands placatingly, while Tamaki nodded his head with crossed arms.

“Yui had support class yesterday, right? Maybe we can bolster her spirits? We can go do something fun as friends.” Mirio suggested, an easy smile on his face. “We should make time for relaxation and fun even if we are training to be heroes. We don’t want to be sticks in the mud when we’re Pros.”

“Oh, yes! We can go to the park, or the arcade or maybe a movie! And if she resists…” The periwinkle haired girl grinned as she mimed holding her phone to her ear, “We use the secret weapon!”

Tamaki shook his head at her antics, “Using her own brother against her…how underhanded.”

“Hey! Izuku said to text him if we needed help!”

“I think he meant with our Quirks….” Tamaki pointed out, scratching absentmindedly at his cheek before a shrill whistle made him go ram-rod straight.

“This isn’t chit-chat time, kiddos! Get back to sparring or would you rather run ten laps around campus?” She called out, her grin only growing when the students rushed back into the groups of two they’d been in earlier. Nejire almost pouted at the interruption, but hopefully they could put their plan back in action once the class was done!

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“Um…I was planning on training with Aizawa-sensei today, guys, sorry…”

Nejire gave her friend her very best puppy dog eyes, though it didn’t seem to have any effect except one eyebrow raising. “Aww come on, Yui-chan! You can take it easy after getting a rock to the head, even if Recovery Girl healed you up! How is your head anyway? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Hado. But I really should work with sensei. I don’t want to severely injure someone in class.” Yui glanced from Nejire to Mirio to Tamaki, her eyes looking darker than they usually did. “I’m sorry if I freaked you guys out earlier-“

“Hey, you don’t gotta apologize!” Mirio interrupted, “It was an accident. Who knows what you saw after that hit to the noggin. Head injuries aren’t to be taken lightly. I would know, you have no idea how many I’ve gotten while figuring out my Quirk.”

The teal-eyed teen let out a soft snort, “Like the incident last week? You’re lucky your head didn’t phase with you by the screams that came from the other side of the wall. The third years weren’t impressed with part of you showing up in their locker room.”

“Haha! Right? At least I had on the special gym suit so they didn’t get flashed.”

“Y-Yamazawa…I picked up your staff…I-I didn’t want you to lose it.” Tamaki wrung his hands against the metal before he thrust his arms out in front of him, holding the staff like it was going to bite him. Nejire giggled as she watched the tips of her friend’s pointy ears turn red when Yui’s hand brushed his when she took it from him.

“Thanks, Amajiki. I owe you one for grabbing it for me. Well, I should get going, Aizawa sensei is waiting. I’ll see you guys tomorrow though,” She gave them a grin Nejire couldn’t help but notice wasn’t as bright as the ones she usually gave. Before she could say anything, Yui was already walking away and heading back into the gym.

“Well…shoot. We can try again tomorrow though. She sits with us at lunch, and maybe if we get to school early, we can see her before classes start.” Mirio suggested as he put a comforting hand on each of his friend’s shoulders. Tamaki gave a quick nod, still looking a little flustered.

Nejire grinned as she nodded firmly, her hands clenched and a fire in her chest. She wouldn’t let her friend stay in the dumps! They’d figure out a way to help her.

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What should he do? Why weren’t Nejire and Mirio here? Why was it just him? Oh Kami, does Yui look annoyed? She’s definitely annoyed that he hadn’t answered the question. This was too much pressure!

“Amajiki? You okay? If you’re not feeling well, we can go see Recovery Girl. She’d let you rest on one of the cots, and she has those gummy bears.” Yui leaned down so she could look right into his eyes, even with his shoulders hunched up and head tilted down toward the floor.

“I-I’m okay!” Tamaki stuttered out, his arms flailing a bit before he tried to take in a deep breath. He could do this, she hadn’t even answered his question, and he’d asked first. “A-Are you? Okay I mean… you just asked why wouldn’t you be okay? A-And that’s…not really an answer.” His voice trailed off. Maybe he couldn’t do this, those teal eyes looked like they were trying to dissect him.

“Hmmm. What about me makes it seem like I’m not okay though?” Kami, why did she ask that? This was too confrontational! Yui frowned as she tilted her head to the side, “I’m fine, Amajiki. If anything, I’m tired. Yamada sensei saw me this morning and commented that my eye bags are going to rival Aizawa sensei’s. Pompous cockatoo.” She muttered the last part as she scuffed her shoe against the tile, looking out the window. Tamaki had to admit the dark circles under her eyes were a close match for their intimidating teacher.

“Are you having trouble sleeping?” He stiffened when his question made those eyes focus back on him. “I…um, I heard that drinking tea can help people fall asleep? Melatonin gummies help me fall asleep if I get too…anxious to fall asleep.”

Yui paused before she smiled softly, “Naw, don’t worry about me. I’m doing it to myself from staying up late to work on a project Nedzu assigned. Or working on some support gear. I’m getting between four and five hours of sleep, it’s plenty. I gotta get to my support class though, Amajiki. If I take too long, Izu might explode something on purpose. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?”

Tamaki jolted, giving out a quick “Yes! Have a good night!” when her hand patted his shoulder as she passed him, turning the corner and out of sight. Still…that was a little worrying right? Something in her voice made him think it was more than just staying up too late working.

“Tamaki! There you are. Sorry we got caught up by Cementoss sensei. Did you see Yui?” Nejire called out as she jogged over to him, Mirio right behind her. He turned to them, his shoulders slumped.

“You guys…I’m sorry, I…I didn’t get to ask her before she went to the support class…” He was such a failure, he couldn’t do one simple thing…

“Hey, Tamaki, don’t get down. It’s okay, we’ll get to ask her again. Keep your head up!” Mirio gave him a sunny smile that made him avert his eyes.

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“You’re too bright, Miri…”

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We’ll get another chance to ask her again. Easier said than done. Mirio felt like he’d really stuck his foot in his mouth, he hadn’t realized how slippery Yui was to get a hold of. Even when they arrived at school early, they hadn’t been able to find where she was before classes started. And after class she’d be going to train with Aizawa sensei or Power Loader. He was starting to think that finding the actual space the two were training in had just been luck, it was a small add on building that resembled a traditional Japanese dojo.

“Good, that’s a better form. You’re showing better control.”

Three heads peeked around the corner, Mirio almost laughed at the mental image he had when he thought about how he, Tamaki and Nejire were standing to watch Yui and Aizawa spar. He bet it made them look like a totem pole.

Yui rolled her shoulders, rotating her right arm until something popped; she was in a gym uniform, the jacket tied around her waist. She huffed out a breath and wiped the sweat from her brow. She opened her mouth to respond before she caught a glimpse of them. Mirio grinned at her, he swore her hair poofed out a bit in surprise as he lifted a hand to wave at her.

“Hey! Hope we aren’t interrupting. We were just wondering if you wanted to hang out a bit before classes start?” Mirio asked as they walked over to the two.

Yui glanced at their teacher, looking torn at the question. “Um, I think we still had some-”

“We can cut it early for now. We worked on your forms last evening. And if you can handle more training after your support classes today, we can work on them later too. I have papers to grade.” Aizawa interrupted her, raising an eyebrow when her shoulders slumped. “Your fighting style isn’t going to change overnight. Trust us to step in if it’s needed, problem child. That’s what we’re here for.” He grabbed the familiar yellow sleeping bag that was folded by the door before he left them.

“Well, guess I’m free until classes start. What’s up, did you guys want help with English again?” Yui asked as she shook out the jacket. Mirio grinned as he knocked his arm against hers, though he did take note of the way she stiffened before her body relaxed again.

“Hey look, we’re scar buddies.” He pointed out two very similar scars that they had near their elbows, his grin only widened when the girl chuckled softly. He could at least get her to chuckle.

“That one’s from a training incident when I was learning how to fight with a knife.” Yui tapped the scar on his arm, “Glass?” The question was almost enough to distract him from the way her tone flattened.

“Yep! I was practicing permeating through different materials and lost my focus. And sliced my arm up really bad. My dad was freaking out from all the blood!” He laughed, rubbing the back of his head.

Yui snorted softly, “I think you’d be the type to laugh when you’re bleeding instead of cry.”

The blonde laughed loudly, “You’re right. I was really scaring the nurse that was doing my stitches. But if I laughed, I didn’t cry. And if I could laugh, I was okay. You know? And to answer your original question, we just wanted to spend some time with you!”

She blinked, “You...just want to spend time with me?”

“Of course! But if you wouldn’t mind, I’d really appreciate if you could just look over the English homework?” Nejire giggled bashfully as she swayed back and forth.

Yui chuckled softly, “Let me go get changed and I’ll look over it with you. Maybe we can see if Lunch Rush has any pastries left over from breakfast.”

“Did you skip breakfast?”

“...Maybe. If you don’t count two protein bars and a nutrient pouch as breakfast. I woke up later than normal. I’ll be right back, okay?” She hurried to the locker room to change. Mirio gave his friends a thumbs up.

“Phase one is complete. Now onto phase two!”

“This isn’t a mission, Mirio.” Tamaki glanced up at him through his bangs.

“It’s more fun if you think of it as one. And a little extra goofiness won’t hurt anyone. I wanna get her to laugh until she can’t breathe. Just like the time in middle school I made you snort milk through your nose.” Mirio grinned at the memory, even if the mention made his friend’s face flush as he looked away.

“Oh! Is it a contest? Are we competing?” Nejire beamed, “I wonder what she thinks is funnier? Do you think she likes jokes or physical comedy?”

“I don’t know, Yui strikes me as a pun lover.”

“Mirio…you’re only saying that because you like to tell dad jokes.”

“If I hear a dad joke, I’m kicking someone. I get enough of those at home.” Yui spoke up as she rejoined their little group. Mirio couldn’t really control himself from blurting out the first joke that came to mind.

“Why? Would you say you get....twice as many?!” He shot her finger guns as he waited… the three of his friends just giving him a blank stare. It took Yui another moment before she groaned, raising a hand and miming a slightly threatening choking gesture.

“Really? That’s what I get for telling you I have two dads. Come on. Amajiki, Hado. Let’s go get some food.” She turned on her heel and started to walk away. Nejire gasped as she hit her fist against an open palm.

“Ooohhh I get it now! Twice as many because she has two dads! That’s a good one Mirio!”

“It loses the impact if it has to be explained,” Tamaki pointed out before he started to follow after their friend, Nejire giggling more as she passed them to latch onto the other girl’s arm. Mirio puffed out his chest.

“Come on! That was an awesome joke. I can’t help that you were so slow on the upkeep.”

“Don’t blame us because your joke fell flat.” Yui’s mouth quirked up in a half-smile and her voice was a bit more sarcastic than usual, was she teasing him? Oh boy, that meant he could tease her back. Or at the very least, bombard her with puns.

“You know what else is flat-mph!” his joke was interrupted by a donut being shoved in his mouth. At least it had strawberry frosting.

“You’re gonna be if you try to make another pun.” Yui sat down at an open table, taking a bite of a muffin.

“I recall me getting you on your back when we sparred.” Mirio couldn’t help the little spark of competitiveness that flickered to life. Nejire rolled her eyes seeing the set of his body towards Yui.

"Mirio~ Not everything has to be a competition!"

Tamaki sighed nudging Hado as he saw Yui coping the set of Mirio's body. "Don't bother, they're clearly birds of a feather.

“Anytime, anywhere, Togata. I’ll figure out a way to beat you. Even if it takes me to our third year.”

“Ooohh, you guys gonna rumble right here? Can I referee?” Nejire giggled, “Or should we form a ring around you two and yell ‘Fight, fight fight!’?”

“That might get them in trouble, Nejire...” Tamaki pointed out, “A-anyway...we wanted to ask Yui something.”

Yui blinked, before she snapped her fingers, “Oh, right! The English homework. Here, I’ll take a look.”

“That’s actually not it. We were wondering if you’d want to hang out with us on Sunday? We can go do something fun. Like the arcade.” Mirio suggested as he took another bite of his donut.

“Or the movies! There’s a romantic comedy playing this weekend I’ve been dying to see!” Nejire chirped as she bounced in her seat.

“O-Or we could hang out at the park? I-If you’d rather do something quiet?” Tamaki asked, his fingers picking at the sleeves of his blazer.

“Huh, I don’t think these two could do quiet, Amajiki. So, you just wanna hang out? You don’t want to do Quirk training or spar or do homework?” Yui asked, her voice was softer than usual, a little more uncertain as if testing the idea that they wanted more as friends.

“Come on, Yui, I know we’re training to be heroes, but even we get to take it easy some days. We gotta get out and be kids, you know? We should go to laser tag!” Mirio grinned as he pointed finger guns at her.

“Yeah! We wanna hang out with you so we can get to know you better. I don’t even know what your favorite color is, or your birthday, or your favorite food!” Nejire pouted at her as she listed off on her fingers.

Yui chuckled softly as she leaned her elbow against the table, resting her chin on her hand. “Well, if you guys just want to hangout and chill on Sunday. I have a place I like to go to. They have the best coffee and food around. As long as no one is allergic to cats?”

“None of us are! Where are we going? Is it in town? Will we have to travel?” Nejire rambled as she leaned forward.

“It’s a cat café near Dagobah beach. It’s called Sunshine’s.”

“Oh, sounds fun! That should be quiet enough for you, right, Tamaki?” Mirio grinned as he bumped his fist against his friend’s shoulder.

“I like cats...and I like trying out new food.”

“She makes the best sweets, probably better than Lunch Rush’s. So, this Sunday, right? Did you want to meet in the afternoon?” Yui asked as she pulled out her phone, “I’ll double check with Izu, I don’t think we planned anything.”

“If he wants, you can bring him along. The more the merrier!” Mirio offered.

“Hmmm... he said he has plans with Toshi. So, I’m all yours after breakfast.” Yui smiled softly as she stood up, hitching her backpack over her shoulder. “I gotta get going so I’m not late for class with Nedzu. I’ll see you guys at lunch.” She gave them a wave before she left them.

Mirio grinned as he gave two thumbs up, “Mission accomplished!”