Chapter Forty-Two

By the time I'm finally able to train again, it feels like years have passed, but Endeavor is hardly one to pull any punches. From the moment I arrive to the freshly rebuilt Endeavor Agency, he's started drilling me. It feels good to sweat again, heart racing and muscles working. I can't help the smile that spreads across my face when I land another move, hands coming together as energy pulses out of them like shock waves, shoving him backwards. He braces himself against it, flames whipping in the chaos.

"I haven't lost a beat!" I gloat, grinning at him over the attack. I earn a stone cold eyebrow and an instant responding blast that knocks me on my ass. Still, I sit up laughing, relief pouring through me. This... this finally feels normal.

"You're not focused" Endeavor scolds, eyeing me suspiciously. His heart doesn't seem in it though and I'm wondering if it's because of everything that's happened. I shrug, standing up again and starting back for him, allowing my energy to flow through my entire body, filling me with unnatural strength.

"I'm happy..." I argue, whipping around and landing a kick against his blocking arm. We spar, hand to hand for a bit. My increased strength making it almost easy to keep up with him.

"To be back!" I add, throwing a few punches in quick succession. Endeavor blocks them all, but he regards me with a look I've never seen on his face before.

"You're not hesitating as much" he notes, catching another hit. I smirk, feeling the power well up inside me. No... I'm not. I shove off the floor, energy bursting out of the soles of my feet and propelling me up over his head. The energy in my hands increases tenfold, the speed of my heart giving me enough power to wrap both of them around Endeavor's enormous forearm and yank him along with me. I hear him exclaim in surprise only moments before I slam his enormous body into the ground. His eyes widen and I huff with the effort, struggling not to laugh. I've been waiting to do that! He looks up at me, completely frozen for a moment.

"Did you...?" I can't help it. I start laughing hysterically, grabbing my stomach as I try to catch my breath.

"You should see your face!" I howl. Endeavor sits up immediately, scowling at me in irritation.

"This isn't a joke! Can't you ever take your training seriously?!" he bellows, a little vein on his forehead bulging. It only makes me laugh harder.

"You're so mad!" I snicker, unable to control myself. He gapes at me incredulously, not sure how to respond and apparently pretty shocked by my outburst. The door opens in the midst of our shouting and Shoto enters, a fond smile on his face.

"Looks like it's going well in here" he muses and I grin at him. When I returned home, I got all kinds of tearful greetings and apologies. Shoto was even one of them... but since I've started healing, he's become a consistent friend, the two of us reaching a place where we're both finally comfortable with the way we feel about each other.

"You're just in time. I'm definitely kicking your dad's ass" I tell him, earning a furious growl from behind me.

"Kaida..." Endeavor steams, but I can't help the warmth that fills my chest. Shoto chuckles, that sweet smile on his face that I missed so much.

"Glad to see you back on your game. Want to change it up a bit?" he wonders and my smile grows. I haven't sparred with Shoto for what feels like forever and I practically jump at the chance, abandoning the angry old man behind us.

"Bring it" I grin, taking a stance already. A look of determination comes into Shoto's eyes and excitement fills me to the brim. This is what I missed... what you came back for. The sudden thought makes me pause for only a moment, wondering where it came from. Some part of my memory tugs at me, reminding me of a single moment and a single voice that can't possibly be real.

Are you sure... it's not you who needs them?

My eyes widen. The voice sounds like my mom's and as Shoto and I begin to train together, a strange feeling starts to well up in my chest. A small allowance of peace budding like hope in my chest. I came back for all of this, all of them... my family. Shoto forms a wall of ice and this time, I do break through it, delighted by the smile on his face. He told me from the beginning that I'd be able to do it and I'm proud at how little effort it requires now. Lately, I've been feeling this unfamiliar rush within me, this wholeness... and while it isn't something I'm used to feeling, it's a welcome emotion. Maybe things aren't okay yet. Maybe I'll live the rest of my life wondering what ever happened to Juro and what effect his serum might've had on me. Maybe I'll feel that guilt and fear forever... but for the first time in my life, I don't feel alone in that. When I clench my fist, quirk exploding through me like flames, I can feel the support of everyone around me. The determination of all of my friends to never give up, not for themselves, and not on me. It's a realization that brings yet another smile to my face.

______________

Later that night, I join the rest of my dorm mates for dinner, all twenty-one of us crammed into the shared kitchen for one of the last meals we'll all be able to share together. As third years, we're only days away from our graduation ceremony, and as I look around the room at all of the people I've come to know and respect over the last year, I'm overcome with nostalgia.

"Can you believe we're about to graduate? Isn't that exciting?" Ochaco gushes, face full of joy. Deku smiles at her and Asui nods along in agreement.

"Do you think All Might is going to be there?" Asui wonders and Deku's face reddens a bit, a shy look on his face. That's right. It's easy for me to forget that All Might is Deku's mentor, but every time I remember it, it only makes sense that he's so strong.

"He'll be there" he assures everyone and I can't deny the excitement I feel. Sure, I've been partial to Endeavor most of my life, but you're an idiot if you doubt All Might's incredible strength, besides, he stopped being a teacher long before I arrived at this school and while everyone else might just be happy to see him, I'm just thrilled to finally meet the guy.

"Eri and Togata will be there too, right?" Ojiro asks and Hagakure claps her hands together beside him.

"Aw, I can't wait to see her! She's gotten so big" she gushes. That's two more people I've heard about but haven't met yet. It's crazy to me sometimes how much of my friends' lives I still don't know much about yet... especially considering I already feel so connected to them.

"I'm sure she's excited to come too! It won't be long before she's in high school" Ochaco beams.

"It's crazy how much time has already passed" Deku agrees, tone saturated in nostalgia.

"It'll be great to see everyone's families all together! Maybe we can have an after party!" Ashido says, eyes lighting up excitedly. Kirishima's eyebrows shoot up, an interested look on his face.

"That could be fun, what do you say, Bakugo? It could be our last hurrah" he laughs. I look over at Katsuki, but he just gives Kirishima a dull look and I have to fight not to laugh. So antisocial.

"No" he mutters. Kirishima frowns.

"Come on, man!" he pleads, pouting.

"No" Katsuki reiterates. I giggle when Kirishima starts arguing with him, trying to convince him to go anyway. Most of the group continues their conversations over the heated debate and it makes my heart feel full. I take another bite of food, smiling along with everyone else, when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I jump, still not used to carrying the dumb thing on me, but when I read the text from Shiori, I can't help but grin.

Shinsou is coming over. What do I do?! WHAT DO I DO, KAIDA?!

I text her back quickly, rolling my eyes. Ever since I came back, the two of them have been disturbingly obvious about their fresh romance, but... I can't deny how happy my sister looks these days and that thought alone is good enough for me.

"What about you, Kaida? Is your father coming to graduation?" Yaoyorozu asks, roping me back into the conversation. I smile softly, feeling a little bittersweet about it.

"Yeah... he should be bringing my grandpa too" I say and half the girls practically fawn.

"Aw, your grandpa? That's so sweet!" Ashido gushes and I laugh a little sheepishly.

"He's a grumpy old man" I reply, earning a look from Aoyama.

"Explains why you like Bakugo so much" he says and my face flushes a bright red.

"Shut up, nerd!" Katsuki snaps, ignoring his current argument to glare at Aoyama instead. I smile nervously. Ever since Katsuki and I made things even slightly more public, we've been under almost constant scrutiny by literally everyone, mostly out of sheer shock that either of us actually ended up in a relationship.

"I think it's cute" Ashido says, grinning as she grabs Kirishima's arm. He flushes, laughing nervously.

"Yeah, for sure" he agrees, smiling a little.

"Mind your business!" Katsuki grumbles angrily.

"Are we really gonna throw a party after graduation? That'd be pretty sweet!" Kaminari says, redirecting the conversation. Mineta practically drools beside him.

"We could throw a pool party! Everyone can wear their swimsuits and we could have contests to see whose is best!" he suggests excitedly. Pretty much everyone just stares at him flatly.

"No!" all of us girls shout collectively, shutting the pervert down. He mumbles dejectedly, consoled by Kaminari in the end.

"We'll think of something else to do!" he insists, trying to cheer him up. I roll my eyes. Boys.

"It would be smarter if we plan something that would allow for us to invite our families as well! Maybe we should plan a night out afterwards. I'm sure everyone will be hungry after sitting through the ceremonies!" Iida suggests and almost everyone nods.

"That's not a bad idea! And it'll give everyone the chance to talk and take pictures too" Yaoyorozu smiles excitedly.

"Yeah, I love that idea!" Ochaco agrees, smiling so brightly that Deku seems drawn into it, staring at her affectionately. I smile at them. Gold star for the most wholesome couple at school goes to... she turns back to him, gushing about how excited she is and what she thinks she might wear. He grins at her, cheeks a pleasant rosy color.

"Not to mention, we could finally all hang out with Shiori again. It's been a while" Asui says, smiling at me. I smile back at her, heart squeezing.

"It'll be our last outing as a class. She should be there" Tokoyami agrees, earning a blushing look from Tsu immediately after.

"I'm sure she'll really like that! I'll run it by her tonight" I assure them, feeling a little saddened by his words. Katsuki squeezes my hand under the table and I look up at him in surprise, eyes wide.

"What about you? You really wanna go to this thing?" he asks, voice low and serious. My face heats, but I nod, trying to smile despite the look on his face that makes me want to leave the table with him.

"I do" I confirm and even though he looks away from me, a mild look of irritation on his face, he sighs.

"Fine. We'll go" he says. My heart beats a little faster and I look away too. I'm still not used to being so publicly affectionate towards each other, even if it's in small ways, but that doesn't mean I want it to change. A lot of things have changed since I got back to UA and I know a lot of it has to do with my disappearance... still, I can't say I mind all of it. I've been closer to most of my friends since the attack and I even started carrying my phone with me in case of emergencies, but now I feel like Katsuki especially is afraid to let me out of his sight. Every time we're together now, it's almost like the two of us are magnetized and everywhere I go, he follows, or, everywhere he goes, he drags me along. It's a startling difference to the way we first began.

The rest of dinner is spent pretty much the same way, the lot of us eating, laughing, and talking about graduation excitedly. We eventually even decide on something to do after the fact, all of us agreeing that a night out to eat and drink with friends is the best way to go. Once that's decided, we finally all start saying goodnight and start for our dorms. Katsuki walks me to mine, trying not to act too irritated by the idea that we won't be able to just go home after graduation.

"So, what do you think?" I ask as we get to my door. Katsuki looks up curiously, obviously distracted by his own thoughts.

"What?" he asks. I give him a flat look.

"I said, what do you think? About... going to the after party thing together?" I ask again, face heating. He makes a face.

"I already said we could go" he tells me, irritated. I roll my eyes.

"Right... but, like... as a couple" I explain, face so red it pisses me off. Why can't he just answer the question? Doesn't he know I hate this kind of stuff? I'm not any better at it than he is and I really hate to have to ask like this. He blinks at me, cheeks just a little red and an expression on his face that screams confusion.

"I thought we were already doing that" he replies, my own eyes widen.

"Well I didn't know" I argue and he gapes at me.

"Isn't that what we'll go means? Were you even listening to me?" he demands. My face flushes again, frustration making it difficult for me to form coherent words.

"Whatever, fine. We'll go together, great" I mutter, turning to let myself into my room. Katsuki holds the door closed though, reaching around me to grab the handle. My eyes widen and I turn to face him, looking up into his eyes with surprise.

"What are you so frustrated about?" he asks in a low voice, red eyes gazing at me heatedly. I swallow nervously. I don't know how he manages to make me feel so flustered, but it doesn't matter how close we get... I'm always on the verge of combusting with either nerves, lust, or my overwhelming love for him.

"Nothing" I mumble, but he moves even closer to me, forcing me to crane my neck to look up at him.

"Tell me" he says firmly and my heart stutters in my chest.

"You... you make me frustrated" I blurt, cheeks aflame and stomach doing backflips. Katsuki smiles a bit and, as always, it makes my whole body light up.

"Hm... I like the sound of that" he murmurs, making me feel jittery and heated and a whole lot of other things.

"I um..." I stammer and he tilts his head, eyes boring into mine.

"Yeah?" he presses. When his voice is low and breathy like that... my face flushes again, heart racing.

"You wanna come in?" I ask him, earning that incredible smile again. It's a smile only he can wear, one that makes my whole body melt and my heart kick into overdrive. It's addicting.

"Yeah, I'll come inside" he agrees and follows me into the room, one hand at my waist. I shut the door behind us and pull him against me, ignoring any shyness or hesitation I might feel, and Katsuki responds with equal confidence, kissing me deeply. I smile against his lips, wrapping my arms around him. That feeling comes back again, the feeling of wholeness... it starts in my chest, but spreads all over my body, making me feel like I'm capable of anything. Yeah... this is right where I belong.