Internships were over, and Shiori's father had been recovering well, and had already been dismissed from the hospital.

The U.A. High School students were back to their normal class schedule.

Before first period began, Sero, Kirishima and Kaminari were standing around Bakugo's desk and chatting while he read his textbook.

Shiori was making her way back to the classroom, and she was accompanied by a handsome dark-haired boy.

"Who's that guy Shiori's with?" asked Sero.

"That's Sen Kaibara." said Kirishima. "He's in 1-B."

"Oh, that's the guy who also interned in her dad's agency, right?"

"Yeah, she's been spending a lot of time with him lately." replied Kirishima.

"WILL YOU EXTRAS JUST SHUT UP!" said Bakugo. "I'M TRYING TO FOCUS!"

"Oh, sure." said Kaminari, smirking. "That's your problem, focusing."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU DAMN PIKACHU?"

"Come on, just admit that Shiori hanging out with that guy bothers you."

"DON'T TALK CRAP, SCUM! I DON'T GIVE A SHIT WHO SHE HANGS OUT WITH!"

"I can see that." said Sero, sarcastically.

The bell was about to ring, so Shiori waved her friend goodbye and returned to her seat.

"Where the fuck were you?" asked Bakugo, when she sat down.

"I just went to get some water and I ran into Sen in the hallway." she said, confused.

Katsuki growled, making the other boys chuckle.

"Everyone, settle down." said Mr. Aizawa, walking into the 1-A classroom. "Class is about to start."

---

Later that day, Kaminari and Kirishima were chatting in the hallway.

"Someone's coming." said Kirishima. "Someone Bakugo doesn't like."

"That could be literally anyone" argued Kaminari. He then turned around to look and saw Sen Kaibara making his way to them. "Oh."

"Hey guys." said the boy, approaching.

"Hey Kaibara, what's up?" asked Kaminari.

"You guys are good friends with Shiori, right?"

"Yeah we are." said the red-haired boy. "Why?"

"I was wondering if you have any tips for me about what she likes to do, you know, outside school?" asked Kaibara. "I was thinking of asking her out, now that our internships are over."

"Uhhhh..." Kirishima and Kaminari looked at each other for a few seconds.

"Something wrong?" asked Kaibara.

"No!" said Kaminari, smiling awkwardly. "Its just that, hum..."

"Well, Shiori is kind of like... Bakugo's girl." said Kirishima.

"Oh, really?" Kaibari asked, confused. "I asked her and she told me she was single..."

"Well, technically she is, but... it's complicated."

Kaminari then leaned closer to whisper in Kirishima's ear. "Hey, maybe it's not our place to interfere. I mean, if Bakugo was gonna make a move he would have already."

Kirishima frowned and thought about it for a few seconds. "Maybe you're right."

"Listen, Kaibari, I guess if she wants to go out with you then go for it." said Kirishima.

"She like lowkey stuff, you know?" added Kaminari. "Nothing too fancy. Like maybe invite her to your place to watch a movie?"

Kirishima began coughing dramatically: *cough cough* "too far" *cough cough*

"I- I mean, maybe invite her to a movie at the theater." continued Kaminari.

"Oh, right." nodded Kaibari. "I can do that. Thanks guys."

With that, he walked away.

"Movies at home, dude? Are you trying to get him into Shiori's pants?" said Kirishima, hitting Kaminari's head.

"Ow! Sorry, I thought that was the point!"

Kirishima shook his head with disappointment.

---

Katsuki and Shiori were making their way home after class, headed for the outer gates of the school, when Sen Kaibari made his way over to them.

"Hey, Shiori!" he said, walking towards her. "Can I talk to you for a minute."

"Sure, what's up?" she smiled.

"Hum, I kinda was hoping to talk to you alone."

Bakugo glared at the boy with the fire of a thousand suns. "WHAT DID YOU SAY, SCUM?!"

"Katsuki, please, it'll just be a minute." Shiori grabbed Sen's arm and dragged him away. "Sorry about him, he's..."

"Hot-headed?" asked Kaibari.

"Well, that doesn't quite cover it, but yeah."

"So, are you two, like--"

"Together? No, I told you, he's just my best friend." smiled Shiori.

"Oh, okay, cause your friends... never mind. Listen, would you wanna go to a movie with me tonight?"

Shiori blinked speechlessly for a few seconds, trying to process the situation.

"Oh, I-" she couldn't find the words to respond. The first thing that popped into her head was Katsuki. But she knew it shouldn't matter, since there was nothing between them. "Sure, actually. I would love to."

"Awesome." smiled Kaibari. "I'll pick you up at 7?"

"Sound good!"

Shiori waved goodbye and walked back to Bakugo, who was fuming.

"What the hell did that flat-faced bastard want?" he asked, angrily.

"Oh, he just asked if I wanted to watch a movie with him tonight." Shiori shrugged and began walking towards the gates. "Come on, let's go home, I gotta get ready."

Bakugo stood motionless in place, taking in what she had just said.

"He-- he what?" Bakugo whispered.

---

After a few minutes of walking, Shiori turned around and saw that Bakugo still wasn't following her. She walked back towards school, but he was no longer there.

"What the--" she whispered.

She decided to just go home by herself, but on the way she called his cellphone. It rang for a few seconds, but then went to voice mail.

Shiori frowned, unsure what to think. But in the end, she just brushed it off as Bakugo being himself.

When she got home, her mom greeted her from the kitchen.

"Hey sweety! How was your day?"

"Good! I have a date tonight to get ready for." said Shiori, removing her shoes.

"Oh that's wonderful! I was wondering when Katsuki would finally make a move."

"What? No, its not with him mom! We're just friends."

"Sorry dear, I just thought... Oh, it doesn't matter. Who is the lucky boy, then?" Aya asked, stirring the pot.

"Sen Kaibari. I told you about him, he interned with dad." Shiori explained, heading up the stairs. "Anyway, I gotta get in the shower. Talk to you in a bit."

Aya watched as her daughter walked away, then she turned back to the stove.

"Oh, that Katsuki better step up or he's going to lose her." she whispered, shaking her head.

---

Shiori was doing her hair, but she kept glancing down at her phone. Katsuki had been completely MIA since school, and while she usually wouldn't think much of it, something felt strange this time.

"Shiori, your friend is here to pick you up!" she heard her mom shout from downstairs.

"Coming!"

Shiori took a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror. She had her hair up in a bun, and she was wearing her signature black jeans with a beige sweater and a leather jacket on top.

When she headed down the stairs she saw Sen waiting for her.

"You look great!" he said. "Ready to go?"

"Yes, let's go." Shiori smiled.

---

Four hours later, Shiori was back home. She had a lot of fun with Kaibari, but in the back of her mind, she kept thinking of Bakugo.

She jumped into bed and reached for her phone.

Shiori hovered her finger over Katsuki's name, wondering whether to click or not. She had tried calling, and he didn't call her back. But his silence was making her nervous.

"Ugh, what the hell Shiori, you've never been insecure like this." she whispered to herself. "Get it together."

She clicked Bakugo's name and put the phone against her ear.

The phone rang for a minute, but once again, no answer.

"Dammit." Shiori threw her phone aside and rubbed her face. She looked at the ceiling for a few minutes, then reached for her phone again. This time, she dialled Kirishima's number.

"Hey! What's up, Shiori?"

"Hey Eijirou, sorry to bug you this late, but have you heard of Katsuki at all today?"

"Actually, now that you asked, I haven't. I texted him a couple of times but didn't get a reply." said Kirishima. "Didn't think much of it, you know, its Bakugo. But I'm guessing you haven't heard from him either, huh?"

"No, I haven't, and usually I wouldn't worry but today... I don't know, something seemed different." Shiori said, pensively. "Anyway, thanks for the help, I'll try calling his home phone to make sure he's okay."

After Shiori hung up with Kirishima, she dialled Katsuki's home number. As she expected, Mitsuki picked up.

"Shiori, hello dear!"

"Hi Mitsuki, I'm so sorry to call this late, I just wanted to ask if Katsuki is around?"

"What? But I thought he was with you!"

A chill ran down Shiori's spine.

"Uh- I- actually my mistake, he did say he was going to Kirishima's after school. He's probably still there." she lied.

"That brat, I swear. He better be back soon, otherwise I'll go get him and drag his ass back."

"I-I'm sure he'll be back soon, ma'am. I have to go, but have a good night."

Shiori hung up the phone and took a deep breath.

"Katsuki Bakugo, where the hell are you?" she whispered.

She rubbed her temples and and tried to focus. 'If I were a spiky haired ball of anger, where would I be?' she thought.

Shiori grabbed her bag and headed down the stairs.

"Mom, I gotta head to Katsuki's for a bit cause he has a book I need!" without hearing Aya's answer, Shiori ran out of the door.

She had a hunch about where Bakugo could be, and she really hoped she was right.

---

A bus ride and a whole lot of walking later, Shiori made it to the old warehouse. The same place he took her to watch the fireworks.

She climbed up the fire escape and made it to the roof. Once there, she saw Bakugo sitting on the edge, looking out into the city.

Shiori couldn't help but let out a breath of relief.

"There you are." she said, walking towards him.

Katsuki turned his face slightly to look at her, but then he turned back. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, everyone's worried about you." explained Shiori. "Mitsuki has no idea where you are, so I lied and said you were at Kirishima's."

"You didn't have to do that, it's none of your damn business."

Shiori ignored his comment. "Can I sit at the edge or are you gonna throw me off again?"

Bakugo didn't respond, but Shiori noticed a slight blush on his cheeks which made her smile.

"So, what'd you come here for?" she asked, sitting beside him.

"I don't have to explain myself to you!" he growled.

"Alright... but can you call your mom then? She's--"

"Like I said, its none of your damn business." Katsuki interrupted her.

"Okay, that's it." Shiori said, crossing her arms. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Katsuki, just stop being difficult and tell me why you're mad!"

"I'M NOT MAD!" he screamed.

Shiori rolled her eyes. "Fine then. But I'm not gonna be around you like this." she turned so she could hop down from the ledge.

"It's not my fault you were out with that flat-faced scum..." Bakugo growled in a hushed tone.

Shiori paused and registered his words.

"You're mad at me because I was on a date with Sen?" she asked, confused. "What's your problem!? It's not like you want to be with me!"

"That doesn't mean I want you to be with anyone else!"

Shiori was shocked.

"What?" she asked.

But Katsuki didn't respond - he just stood there, clenching his jaw and avoiding Shiori's gaze.

She sighed and pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose.

"Okay." she said, sighing.

"Huh?"

"I won't be with anyone else, then."

To say that Bakugou looked surprised would be an understatement.

"ARE YOU DENSE SHIORI?! I'M BEING COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS!"

"I know." she said calmly, while she jumped down and made her way to the fire escape. "But you've always been that way."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked. "HEY! GET BACK HERE STITCH!"

As he chased her, Bakugo saw her smile kindly at him, making his heart swell.

'Shiori.' he thought.

Shiori had given up on understanding him a long time ago. She was a study in how you could love someone entirely without understanding them at all. But most people were not like her - she was the only one.