Archive of Our Own

Providentia

"I've touched you, I know, but my rush      

subsides; our meetings only leave desire's

fleeting trace. Every place I touch you

changes shape. Shore, lie down—

undo. I'll fill your thirsty bones with blue.

I'll flood your every cave and we'll be one."

— Song of the Sea to the Shore, Robert Fanning

— Bells in the wind.

The Koganei family was a household name in the hero network. Family members were known for their "smithing" quirk, thus their establishment of a support company where they make costumes, gear, and weapons for heroes and student-heroes. With your family's influence came a range of heroes and hero families wanting to connect and be part of your circle. Connections were connections, after all, and it was currency for any hero who wanted to make a name for themselves in the industry. 

As a daughter of the Koganei family, you were expected to follow suit and take up a mantle befitting your quirk. Any thoughts of heroism were stamped down before it could even take root. Children like you were born to follow, born to assist, born to support the true face of heroism. Thus occurred your introduction to the young Iida Tenya, the hero you were destined to support, or so your grandfathers claimed.  

Iida Tenya was the second son of Team Idaten's current head, but he was simply Ten-chan when it was just the two of you. He affectionately called you by your name, and you were found often following the boy around, tripping, crying and even snivelling in order to get his attention. The boy was straitlaced most of the time, but you successfully managed to endear yourself to him. While he wasn't one for believing in luck, Tenya considered you his lucky charm— wasn't that the use of gold, after all? 

The two of you grew up fairly close, seeing as your families were good friends and close associates, and you came to rely on your childhood friend for the longest time, possibly more than you would any other person. 

You were first introduced by your own grandfathers back when you were both only five, and there was an undeniable twinkle of curiosity in Tenya's eyes when he first saw you. Koganei Sentaro, your grandfather and the family patriarch, was keen to introduce you to a friend who would inspire you to make the wiser choice in terms of your future career. Heroism was not your family's forte, but you were known to be the hero makers.  

From a young age, Tenya knew that the same road of heroism awaited him and he worked hard to consider himself worthy of walking the path. Your own curiosity was sparked when you first laid eyes on the boy with eyes as blue as the deepest part of the ocean. He was the one who accompanied his grandfather on that short leisurely trip to the Koganei Support Company.

The blue-eyed boy in a pressed blue dress shirt and dark chinos recalled how his grandfather shook hands with another old man named Koganei Sentaro. The stranger's shocking white hair unnerved him, but he knew it was impolite to discuss a person's appearance. Sentaro wore a red samue and a black sash and kept his long white hair in a loose braid with the same dark-coloured ribbon.

"I see Tensei-kun isn't with you," the Koganei patriarch spoke as he eyed the young boy with his friend. "Eager to make a name for himself?"

"Mm," Tenya's grandfather replied. "Very eager indeed. I assume Seiran-chan is…"

"Bah," Sentaro replied with a scoff. "That child is uninterested in inheriting this company, almost as if she didn't belong to this family at all!"

"Ji-chan!" A small voice cut through the cold silence and the conversation of the elderly men, followed by the tapping of small heels against the tiled floor. "Tou-chan said you were looking for me?"

"Ah, here she is. Otome-chan, I've been waiting for you," the old man in red held out his hand to a little girl in the red jumper dress. 

From the moment you walked into the conversation, the boy in the blue shirt couldn't peel his eyes off you— you in the red jumper dress and your white puffed sleeves on the inside along with matching red sandals. 

You took your grandfather's hand and turned to the glasses-wearing blue-eyed stranger who obviously looked absolutely bewitched.

Tenya felt his grandfather lightly nudge his head. "Close your mouth, it's unbecoming."

He pursed his lips and averted his gaze from the little girl who was probably around his age. You hid behind your grandfather's samue, a smile on your tiny face.

"Otome-chan, he's a good friend of mine," Koganei Sentaro started talking, his voice deep and raspy. He rested a hand on your head to hold your attention, but most of his words were drowned out when you met the young Tenya's eyes again. Perhaps your young heart didn't want to admit it, but you were truly just as captivated with him as he was with you. 

You heard the tinkling of tiny bells ringing in your head when you looked into the young boy's blue, blue eyes. Your grandfather gently pushed you towards the boy, who had his hand held out to you for a handshake.

"It's nice to meet you. My name is Iida Tenya. I'm—"

The little boy was taken by surprise when the little girl took his hand in her own two hands and pulled him much closer.

"My name is…!" You exclaimed with the brightest smile on your face. "It's nice to meet you too, Ten-chan!"

— Peach-coloured dreams.

It was no secret to everyone studying at Soumei Junior High School that you and Iida Tenya were close childhood friends. The latter was quick to shut down any rumours about the two of you dating but was even quicker in rejecting any confession sent your way. Your fellow students and classmates found your relationship rather odd, seeing as you were popular and a known rule breaker while he was the student council president who demanded the rules to be followed. You could only manage a defeated smile as the stern president approached you in the busy hallway even though you were surrounded by your other friends.

"Ack! Here he comes, Otome-chan!"

"My apologies, but I'm going to have to apprehend you, Koganei-san," the blue-eyed boy gently grasped your wrist.

"Give her a break, kaichou!" Your friends cried out. "You've done nothing but pick on Otome-chan every day!"

Regardless of your friends' protests, you were still pulled away to the student council office, where Tenya proceeded to wrap you in his extra school blazer once he confirmed you were alone in the room. "Honestly, Otome-chan, it's like you like getting yourself in trouble. This is the third time this week."

You slid your arms into the oversized cream-coloured blazer and twirled in front of him, a smile playing on your lips. "Or maybe you just can't keep your eyes off your adorable childhood friend, ne, Ten-chan?"

"Please stop wearing bright-coloured underwear that can be seen through your shirt!"

Such was your life in the prestigious Soumei Junior High School. Tormenting Tenya and pushing the limits of his patience were part of your daily routine in middle school, not that he ever really got mad at you for your stupid antics. He acknowledged that your pestering came from a place of affection, but he wasn't going to give you any special treatment. Or at least he tried not to. 

High school was just around the corner now that your middle school life has concluded. UA had been your shared dream with Tenya ever since you two started talking about your futures. With him as a hero and you as his support, you could both rise to the top as Japan's number one. He was always right about that, of course. You weren't ready to part with him any time soon, so you strove hard to be able to make it to the prestigious UA High School, even though you could have easily made it into the support course through recommendations. 

However, you found no pleasure in getting into the school so easily. 

On your summer vacation before the UA entrance exams, you parted ways with him for the meantime, fully intent on getting into the school with your own power and knowledge. You both knew the gravity and importance of this step and he wasn't taking any chances with it. When Tenya asked not to be disturbed and insisted on making his preparations on his own, you relented and told him likewise. 

That was your first summer apart after having spent a decade of summers with him. 

You were a bundle of nerves when the entrance exam results came out. You knew from the get-go that you weren't as smart or as brilliant or as skilled as Tenya, so you relied on your spirit and resilience to get you through your tests and managed to pass by a hair's breadth. While you were scolded by your grandfather for taking such a risky gamble when you could have made it in without a hitch, Tenya, however, had nothing but praise for you. He admired your smarts, while you admired his wit and grit and get shit done attitude, which have been all the more evident in his improvement during his practical entrance exams. You spent the rest of your summer reviewing footage of the boy's practical entrance exam, sketching and thinking of all the ways you could assist him in furthering his Engine's capabilities.  

A strange gap between you and Tenya occurred during your first year at UA, but it was no surprise, seeing as you were assigned to different courses. Once more a knot of nerves, you gave into the fact that you may just be a loser at UA without Tenya beside you. While friends may come easily to you, he was still the most constant friend you had for most of your young life. Regardless, with all the time you would be spending apart, you thought it would be a good learning opportunity. 

Apart from Tenya, there was also Sakashita Marin, the adoptive daughter of one of your father's most trusted men. A wave of relief washed over you when she instantly recognised you one of the Koganei daughters her adoptive father looked after. With a new friend made and a new perspective to consider, things were definitely looking up for you, and all that was left to do was to work.  

You heard word that Tenya befriended that one kid who smashed a zero-point villain bot during the entrance exams, as well as the girl who can make things float. When you saw the three of them walking home together, you couldn't bring yourself to interrupt since you thought it would be rude. Tenya had to make his mark as a hero alongside other heroes in the making and you had to take the backseat as his most cherished friend for the meantime.

"Otome-chan? Let's walk home together!" Marin called out to you with an elegant smile on her face.

You nodded and smiled back. "Sure, Marin-chan!"

As months went by, you slowly and easily started to fit in with the support course. Class 1-H had most of the intellectual students— the engineers, the analysts, the inventors, the innovators — and while others believe them to be nothing but business people, they were incredibly dedicated to their craft. Your classmates came to you for your skill and expertise as an heiress to a support company, while you had the pleasure of learning from them and their skills in creating.  

The time you spent learning and bonding with them definitely made you feel less lonely, but it felt like the gap between you and Tenya continued to grow and grow to the point where you eventually stopped talking to each other.

Class 1-A had been the talk of the town after their exploits at the USJ. The events back then gave you the scare of your lifetime, eventually prompting you to finally contact Tenya, whom you haven't spoken to since you both received your respective acceptance letters to UA.

"Ah, yes, I'm all right, Otome-chan, and so are my classmates."

Tenya heard you sniffle from the other end of the phone. "Thank you for worrying about me, Otome-chan."

You spent the rest of that evening just talking to him, catching up like you didn't miss him for most of the year. That evening, you felt the gap between you close for a single moment, but you eventually came to realise he was just pausing.

On the day of the much-anticipated UA Sports Festival, you felt a strange mix of emotions in as you watched Tenya take to the main stage to duel against your classmate Hatsume Mei. Featured on the stadium's widescreen LCD was his look of sheer determination, a face you've long been acquainted with. You were one of the unfortunate kids who weren't able to get through the first round of the sports festival and was thus resigned to sit through the entire event. 

You've always been captivated by Tenya's straightforward way of dealing with things, but seeing him excel, propelled further away from you… The frustration you still weren't sure of bubbled in the pit of your stomach. You couldn't come to terms with the feeling of heartache and jealousy you felt as you watched your childhood friend take to the battlefield and eventually win as Mei conceded defeat. (She was certain her babies had all the exposure they needed.)  

"You must really like Iida-san from 1-A, ne, Otome-chan?"

You turned and found Marin standing beside you, beckoning you to sit with the rest of your classmates. 

"Ten-chan— I mean Iida-san is my childhood friend," you muttered uncharacteristically, following her to the bleachers where the rest of 1-H had gathered. "So I guess it's natural that I'm drawn to watch him."

The brunette tilted her head, a confused expression on her face. "I thought so. Surely you thought he did amazing. Why do you sound so upset?"

What? Did I? "Ah, I'm not—"

You watched the rest of the matches completely unentertained, only waiting for Tenya's match in the Semi-Final Round. When it was announced that Todoroki Shouto won that round, the rest of Class 1-H was surprised when you bolted from your seat and ran down to where you thought your childhood friend would head to. You were about to make your approach, but you hesitated when you saw his friends from 1-A with him.

"Ah," Tenya remarked as your eyes met, though you were quick to duck from his gaze. "Otome-chan!"

Startled, you thought of running back to your classmates, but you found yourself once again drawn to approach him. "T-Ten-ch—"

You froze on your tracks when his mellow expression suddenly turned angry, approaching you with a protective fury you've long been familiar with. He eventually reached for your unzipped PE shirt and snappily zipped it back up. "Otome-chan, please wear your uniform properly as you may expose yourself."

You were staring at him, suddenly so dazzled by his appearance. How long has it been since you last gave him a good look up close? 

"This is Koganei Otome," Tenya presented you to his classmates with a proud smile. It was only then you realised that his two friends were standing beside him and looking at you. "She is my childhood friend and is in the support course."

His friends introduced themselves as Midoriya Izuku, the boy with the overpowered quirk, and Uraraka Ochaco, the girl who could make things float. They seemed trustworthy. Friends who would definitely be good to Tenya.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," you said with the warmest smile you could muster, heiress mode now on. You took a hand from both Izuku and Ochaco and gently squeezed them. "Please treat Tenya well!"

"O-Of course!" Came the nervous reply from the freckled boy, while the girl could only nod at you. 

"I just wanted to congratulate you for a job well done. I'm sure you're bound to rake in the internship offers. Heroes in the making really are amazing!" You turned to the boy with the blue eyes this time. "Well, I better get back to my classmates. If any of you are interested in some upgrades to your costumes and weapons, you'll know where to find us!" 

"Iida-kun, she's the one who can make gold weapons with her quirk, right?" Izuku uttered curiously as they watched your retreating figure.

"If she's in the support course, then she must be smart! She's so pretty, too!" Ochaco exclaimed. "What a killer combo!"

Tenya chuckled at her remark. "Yes, she's pretty, isn't she?"

As the UA Sports Festival drew to a close, you found out from Izuku and Ochaco that Tenya had to leave the event earlier due to family reasons. Whatever for? You were bound to find out soon enough, given your ties to his family, but you definitely weren't prepared to hear the horrendous reason why. 

— Suddenly, you are floating.

You haven't heard from Tenya since news of Ingenium's incapacitation was broadcast on television. You tried calling him, messaging him, even waited for him outside his classroom the week after their internships, but to no avail. However, you couldn't bring yourself to face him, seeing as he always had that dire expression on his face. 

Realisations and confusion came hand in hand, and you knew deep down within yourself that the gap between the two of you has grown tremendously large to the point where you can't even see him on the horizon.

— For crying out loud, settle down.

You had grown content with just watching Tenya's progress. That's how it should have always been, since you were his support. However, there was no helping that feeling of helplessness that overcame you whenever you heard another shocking piece of news that involved the hero classes. Many things have happened over the school year that shook the entire institution. The emergence of the Hero Killer, villains attacking the hero classes, the kidnapping of Class 1-A's ace, Bakugou Katsuki, and the retirement of All Might— all seemed like a prelude for a catastrophe yet to unfold. 

The very short conversations you started having with Tenya yet again served as a great consolation for you. He may have been checking to see if you were still there, but it served as proof for you that he was all right. While you were used to being the centre of his attention during your childhood, you reconciled with the fact that it wasn't going to happen again any time soon. 

In your head, Tenya was already miles away from where you were standing.

This wasn't something you took lightly. Once again, this was something you couldn't even think of using your family connections to resolve.  

Could you really take a step away from the one most absolute thing you had to serve? You would dedicate your life to serving as his support, but you had to match his pace.  

You spoke to your grandfather over the weekend about the decisions you've come up with. Things you had to accomplish. While it  startled the old man, he completely understood where you were coming from. He knew that you felt like you had been reduced from a friend to a mere observer in Tenya's life and you didn't want that.

"Are you sure about this, Otome-chan? There are certain things we cannot take back once we start," Koganei Sentaro asked his granddaughter, who was seated across from him, a dire expression on her face.

"Come on, ji-chan, weren't you the one who asked first?" You replied with a poignant smile. "I am sure, and have thought about everything twice over, so you don't have to worry about anything."

Seeing as there was nothing that could deter you from your decision, he sighed and relented, slowly rising from his seat with assistance from his golden cane. "All right then. I'll start making preparations."

"Thanks, ji-chan."

The Koganei patriarch was surprised when his granddaughter ran into his arms, sniffling as she hugged him. He ran a soothing hand over your hair. "I'm glad that you're finally thinking about yourself first, Otome-chan. I'm sure Seito would like this as well."

— ʚɞ —

You managed to catch Tenya one afternoon after another joint physical education class between Class 1-A and Class 1-B. He met you as the rest of the students shuffled back to Heights Alliance, all exhausted and absolutely sweaty in their PE uniforms from the extensive training they underwent.

"Here, this is for you!" You tossed a piece of metal towards Class 1-A's class representative. A piece of gold shaped into a key spun onto a golden chain landed in Tenya's hands.

"This is…?" he looked puzzled, holding the key quizzically as he held his chin.

"That's a key to my dorm room, dummy," you replied with a grin. "Come see me when you're not busy, all right? I have something I want to talk to you about."

"Th-That's—!"

You expected that flustered reply from him. It seems he may never outgrow or get uses to your teasing despite all the time you spent with him for over a decade now. 

"Th-This is absolutely improper… H-How many people have you given your keys to?!" Tenya exclaimed rather angrily. You couldn't help but smirk at his obvious annoyance, surprised as you were.

"Y'know, Ten-chan, for someone as smart as you, you're actually pretty dumb when it comes to this."

"Otome-chan, not only is this inappropriate, but it's also dangerous! You're inviting people to come over—"

"Ten-chan, you—"

"—to your own dormitory, as if welcoming an attack! What if these keys fall into—"

"Ten-chan—"

"—the wrong hands and you're assaulted while you're sleeping or in a vulnerable state—"

"Tenya!"

You slugged him on his arm, startling him enough for him to drop your key. He was surprised to see you glaring at him, your face flushed with anger and embarrassment.

"You're the only one I've ever given a key to, you… you…" you fumbled for the right words, only for a crude one to come out. "Dumbass!" 

You were quick to produce a golden barricade to prevent yourself from even being chased by Tenya. You ran back to the support course's dormitories and locked yourself in your room, but not before soundlessly screaming into your skirt. 

Tenya wasn't one for feelings. You spent your entire childhood wondering whether he'd ever feel anything more for you rather than simply just being someone he grew up with. Even with all your charm and teasing, the boy remained as thick as a brick. 

You groaned to yourself once more. Feelings. Ugh. 

— ʚɞ —

"Inspire her, Tenya-kun. She needs someone she can look up to, or even better… Someone she can work with to reach the same goal."

Things would have been easier had you not been a girl, Tenya thought to himself. Your prettiness, your softness against his own edges, the whispers of your name being passed along by the other boys at school— have done nothing but make him want to shield you from everything even more, just like before.   

And when you gave him that key, something in him snapped. There's no way you could have possibly given it to other boys, right? Would you have willingly invited someone other than him into the sacredness of that place? Maybe things would have been easier had you not been a girl. 

But Tenya recognised your skill. You would be his boon in the future, the only one he would fully entrust his entire being to. Koganei Sentaro's cryptic message to him from his childhood was finally making more sense to him now. 

Ironically, he now wore the necklace holding the key to your dorm room. He paced in his own room, the uneasiness in his gut not even settling one bit. He heard a knock on his door, finally distracting him from his own thoughts.

"Iida-kun?" It was Izuku. Tenya opened the door and found him and Todoroki Shouto standing outside.

"Ah! We just came to check if you're all right!" Izuku's green eyes shone in the darkness of the dormitory's corridors.

"It sounded like you had an argument with Koganei earlier," Shouto stated, crossing his arms over his chest as he rested against the door frame. "She looked rather pissed."

Their eyes were drawn to the glint of light on Tenya's broad chest.

"Ah, this is from Otome-chan. It's—"

"A key to her dorm room, I presume," Izuku smiled a little as he slightly tilted his head. "Iida-kun, it’s pretty obvious that Koganei-san likes you."

"It's only natural that she does since we're childhood friends," Tenya replied with a sigh. "I don't know what to do with her sometimes."

"Iida-kun, don't you suppose Koganei-san l-likes you…" Izuku shook his head and met the taller boy's gaze. "More than a childhood friend?"

Tenya's brows knit in confusion. "You mean like a best friend, then?"

"No, Iida-kun! Like… Like a—"

"A lover," Shouto uttered as he turned his gaze to his friends, who looked like they were hit with a wall. Tenya's face lit up with a blush, same with Izuku.

"Ah, no, no, no, that's not possible," Tenya started, raising his hands to make a point. "Otome-chan and I have been friends for the longest time and she knows almost everything about me and all of my bad habits and mannerisms and if I were her, I would definitely not like a guy like me."

"Haven't you considered that it may be the same for her?" Shouto turned to Tenya, who had a panicked expression on his face. "You know almost everything about her, too, right?"

That was true, he thought. He knew how you had this habit of underdressing yourself, how you always wore too much perfume, how you always lose your hair ties and lip balms and how you wished to create the perfect suit of armour for him in the future. 

"But do you like her, Iida-kun? "

Tenya turned to Izuku, lips curled into a crooked smile on his face. "I... To be honest, I've never given that any thought at all."

You, who had been present for most of Tenya's life, had now become a figure he got used to seeing all the time. He believed you would be a permanent part of his life and things wouldn't change between you even in the future. You were partners— mostly just business partners like your parents and your grandparents were to each other, but here he was, faced with the prospect of your relationship taking a different turn.

"She said she wanted to talk to you, so you should. Accept the invitation and see if the two of you will work," Shouto finally straightened himself before turning his back on his friends. "But then again, the two of you have always been like clockwork, even though it looks like you rarely get along."

Izuku nodded at his statement. "Todoroki-kun is right, Iida-kun. Maybe Koganei-san is telling you something… And maybe you can’t understand it because she hasn’t finished explaining yet."

— ʚɞ —

Tenya expected his arrival to be met with excitement, for everyone in Class 1-H knew him from his bout with Mei at the sports festival. And speaking of the devil, it was Mei who welcomed him to their dormitories. 

"Oh! What brings 1-A's class representative to our dormitories?"

"I'm here to see Ot— Ah, I mean Koganei-san. She said we needed to speak about something important."

"Ah, if you're looking for Otome-chan, she's probably asleep, but…" She eyed the golden key hanging on his chest. "You are her closest friend and she gave you her key, so I suppose she wouldn't mind you coming over. I assume you know where her room is?"

Tenya nodded at the pink-haired girl. "Thank you, Hatsume-kun."

He climbed up the stairs and walked to the second to the last room on the right side of the building's third floor, reading his childhood friend's name etched on the gold nameplate hanging on her door. He removed the necklace he wore and slid the key in the doorknob, gently twisting it open.

"Otome-chan?"

Tenya called out into the darkness of your room. He gently reached out for the light switch and thought of flicking it on, but eventually decided against it since he really didn't want to wake you if you really were asleep. He once again reached for anything that could lead him to you. From what he could recall from your room's layout, your bed was on the right side, prompting him to trace the wall. He realised he was touching your closet. Which meant…

Four steps later and he finally found himself standing next to your bed. He sighed, bending down to take a seat beside your sleeping figure wrapped in thick blankets.

"Otome-chan, it's Tenya. "I'd like to apologise for not carefully considering your feelings earlier. I was only worried about your well-being. You shouldn't be giving away something as important as your dorm room keys to just anyone…" He murmured, his voice low and apologetic. "But I'm sorry. I keep on forgetting that I am an important person to you."

"…"

You were holding your breath in your bed, not at all wanting to move an inch from your position as you closely listened to what Tenya was telling you. You remained curled into a ball, clutching your thick blankets close to your chest.

Tenya, your very first love and perhaps your only love, a hero in the making who inherited his elder brother's title, was apologising to you because he didn't know what to make out with your feelings.

He was surprised when you stirred in your "sleep" and slowly sat up. You could make out his face in the darkness thanks to the shine on his glasses. "Ten-chan…"

"Yes, I'm here," he replied softly. 

"I…" you whispered, your voice caught in your throat. You gently put a hand on his chest and felt his larger one hold it in place. "I really do like you, Ten- chan. You know you'll always be my hero… But things can't stay like this."

Your sniffle startled him. 

"Like this? Like how?… Otome-chan, what exactly do you mean?"

You reached for his other hand and gently placed it on your cheek. He came to realise the warm wetness he felt in his fingers were your tears.

"I have to work h-harder if I want to be your support," you hiccuped. "I came here so I can be a hero behind the scenes, at least… And yet I can't see you anymore. You've completely overtaken me in terms of our skills… How can I become your support if you're now so out of reach? When you've become so great and I…"

You were gently pulled into a tight embrace as you sobbed. You were used to being held by Tenya when you were both younger, but it felt like you were being held by a different person now. You slowly raised your arms to hug him back, feeling the tenseness in his upper body.

"I'm sorry, Otome-chan."

"You don't have to apologise for being so amazing, Ten-chan," you chuckled against his neck. "But I want to be a hero worthy of standing beside you, Tenya… That's why I have to do this."

"Do what, exactly?"

You shook your head and sat there in the darkness for a good ten minutes before finally succumbing to the tiredness brought about by your crying. Tenya could only let out a sigh of relief as he gently laid you back down on your bed once again, realising you fell soundly asleep after being soothed by his embrace. 

"Good night, Otome."

— Blue is the sky, bright is the sunshine.

On their way back from submitting 1-A's English paperwork to the faculty room later that afternoon, Tenya and Izuku found an unusual crowd of teachers gathered outside Class 1-H's homeroom. They couldn't help but overhear the senseis talking about the student in the folder held by Power Loader.

"It's pretty sad, but her grandfather came to the campus and personally spoke to Principal Nezu about it," Class 1-H's homeroom teacher told his fellow educators.

Midnight could only shrug in defeat. "But a talented child like her will definitely pave her way to greatness one way or another. There's really just no way we can interfere if it's for family reasons."

"Who is she again? The golden girl?" Eraserhead asked.

"It's Koganei Otome," Power Loader replied, handing over the folder to Aizawa. "She gave herself the alias Goldrush."

The teachers were surprised to see 1-A's class representative approach them with a look of shock on his face.

"Pardon me, Aizawa-sensei! I didn't mean to overhear, but are you talking about Koganei Otome?"

"Ah, she's your childhood friend, isn't she, Iida-kun?" Midnight remarked. "Did you know that she's leaving UA to go overseas?"

Tenya's objectiveness kept him afloat, despite all the confusion he felt at that very moment. After seeking and receiving the proper permissions to leave campus, he ran to the Koganei residence at full speed, not at all remembering the last time he did so. It was muscle memory for him, though, for he still knew every twist and turn to take in your neighbourhood that would lead to your house, a place most familiar to him.  

"Ah, if it isn't Tenya-kun."

The young man was greeted by a familiar face, a woman just around his own brother's age. He almost mistook her for you, but the elegance in her speech and movement said otherwise. The older woman wore a cream-coloured blouse with pale teal skirt that reached her ankles.

"I am very sorry for intruding, Seiran nee-san," he gave her a long and low bow, to which she could only respond with a little wave of her hand. 

"No worries, Tenya-kun! It's been a while since you last came to visit! Come in, don't be a stranger!"

Koganei Seiran was your elder sister, the eldest granddaughter of Koganei Sentaro from his son Seito, and she was previously a Pro Hero in the making before eventually inheriting their family business. 

"Otome is with oji-san," the older woman placed a porcelain cup filled with flower tea before her guest, whom she sat at their dinner table. "They've been gone for most of the day, so they might arrive any time soon. You're welcome to stay and wait for them."

"I, uh… Of course," Tenya replied rather unsurely.

"Is something on your mind, Tenya-kun?" Seiran took a seat across from the young man, smiling as she took note of the way he carried himself. The boy had always been the dignified sort, even more so than… She shook her head. No, they're too different.  

"Seiran nee-san," he started, his voice cutting through the silence. "I heard from the senseis at school that Otome-chan's enrollment at UA was withdrawn because she has to leave the country."

"Tenya-kun, Otome has relied on you for the longest time. And you… Well…" the older girl's warm smile turned into a pensive one, and she couldn't stifle the sigh that left her lips as she brought her palm to her chin. "You're one of the reasons why that girl even managed to enter UA after all. But she's come to realise a few things, especially after… After what happened to your brother."

"You mean Tensei nii-san?"

"Mm," she slowly nodded, pouring herself a cup of tea as they spoke. "When that horrible thing happened, she was bawling when she came back home, obviously distraught that she couldn't do anything for you. She said you were absolutely inconsolable."

"But she…" She is mine to protect.  

"She told me," Seiran curled her fingers around the cup in her hands. "That she wanted to be someone you can rely on as well, but she can't be that kind of person if she keeps on relying on you."

"I..." I want her to stay right here where I can see her. 

"That's why she made the hard decision to leave UA and move to Australia for the meantime," she took a sip of tea. "She said that she can't grow into the person she expects herself to be if you're always there to look out for her."

"But I…" His voice quavered. "I have always liked looking out for her. I take pride in being someone who watched out for her safety and well-being. And yet, I…"

"We know that, Tenya-kun. And for that, we are eternally grateful," she smiled at him. "But don't you ever feel like you're holding her back?"

Then it dawned on him. All those times he told her not to be too reckless, to always be careful, and all those times he stopped her from jumping headfirst into the unknown… That's when he realised that he was indeed holding her back.

"I…" I am. "I do."

"She feels the same way, Tenya-kun," Seiran stated. "All those times you had to stay behind for her sake… And the resentment she kept in her heart whenever she realised that you were already way ahead of her… She said support like her shouldn't hold you back from who you're supposed to be, from the hero you're supposed to be."

"Onee-chan, I want to be someone Ten-chan can rely on, too! I want to be a hero for him, too! But I can't… I can't be who I want to be if he's always around to look out for me!"

Seiran could only breathe a sigh of relief now, with so much she left unspoken, she was glad to be able to voice out her concerns. "Tenya-kun, Otome's pretty popular at UA, isn't she?"

"Ah, yes," Tenya nodded, his hands now holding the warm cup of tea laid out for him. "Otome-chan does get confessed to quite a lot, though I often remind her that now really isn't the time to be dating." 

The older girl gave him a knowing smile. "I'm afraid my little sister doesn't look at anyone else but you, Tenya-kun."

"M-Me?…"

"I still recall your first meeting. She couldn't stop talking about how neat you looked and how she wanted ruffle your hair. She always spoke of you like you hung the stars in the sky," she chuckled softly. "But the more she talked about you, especially as the years went on, the more I came to understand."

"I want to be someone worthy of Ten-chan someday! Even if it's just as a friend!"

Seiran caressed the edge of her cup with her thumb. "Otome simply adores you, Tenya-kun."

"I…" he paused. "I never really considered that at all…"

The older girl saw a car's headlight shine in their living room window. "Oh, it looks like they're here. Why don't you make yourself at home in Otome's room instead?"

"Ah, I really should be on my way, Seiran nee-san, I—" The young man got up from his seat, but he was shooed to the direction of a set of stairs he was most familiar with.

"Go, Tenya-kun," Seiran gave him a little push upward. "She'll be up there in a moment."

Tenya recalled how the carpeted stairs had 14 steps, four at the base and ten which made up the case heading to the house's second floor. Your room was at the left side of the floor, and it had the same gold nameplate hanging on your door as well. He twisted the doorknob open and saw his childhood friend's room, which was now both familiar and unfamiliar to him at the same time. A few medium-sized brown boxes were set on the left side of your room, sitting near your sliding door closet. The wooden dresser contained your daily cosmetics such as your face cream, lip balms, and perfume. His blue eyes were drawn to the small golden frame on your bedside drawer, which contained a photograph of the two of you in your childhood. It was your sixth birthday and he was your only guest. 

"I don't need any more friends as long as I have Ten-chan!"

He gently picked up the picture frame and smiled at your younger selves. You wore a glittering red dress with a hood, while he was in his usual neatly-pressed collared shirt. The young Otome in the photograph clung onto his arm, the two of you holding up peace signs with equally wide smiles.

He set the photo down back on its proper position before taking a seat on the pink carpet.

Downstairs, you were ready to undress from her sweat-soaked shirt. You pulled up the edge of your neon pink shirt, revealing a dark-coloured camisole underneath. 

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Seiran hummed, smiling as she placed the two cups on their kitchen table on a tray before taking them to the kitchen.

"Onee-chan, you weirdo," you dismissed your older sister's comment. You made your way up to her room with your right arm halfway out of your shirt, and you almost shot out when you opened the door and saw Tenya in blue, sitting seiza on the carpet in the middle of the place.

"T-T-Ten-chan?!"

"I apologise for intruding! I needed to talk to you, Otome-chan!"

He wasn't at all surprised when you bolted out of your room. He heard your small, heavy footfalls and some grumbling, but you returned carrying a carton of orange juice and two glasses.

"Ah, let me—"

"D-Don't come any closer!" You placed the items on the small coffee table in the middle of the room and sat down across from him. "IJi-chan and I went to our workshop, so I stink."

"I-I see… Don't mind me if I help myself, then," Tenya took the carton of juice and poured some for himself and for her.

"S-Sorry, Ten-chan, do you mind if I take a quick shower?"

He could see that you were talking into your shirt, the edge of the collar clinging onto the bridge of your nose. 

"Ah, g-go ahead, Otome-chan, I can wait."

"Good," you stood up and walked to your closet, sliding open the wooden door. You carried out a handful of clothes before walking out of the room. "You know you're always free to look around, but I'm starting to pack up some of my things, so there may not be much to look at."

A piece of your clothing fell from your arms unnoticed as you walked out of your room and made your way to the shower. Tenya got up and picked it up, a blush spreading on his face as he inspected the item, which turned out to be a bra. He was hesitant to call you back, so he opted to fold it neatly and place it back on your bed instead.

"Always so careless…" He shook his head and muttered to himself. 

However, a smile played across his face as he remembered how you looked mere moments ago, your hair pulled up into a loose ponytail, some strands framing your your face, your nape and neck covered in sweat that made your skin look like it was gleaming and the flush that painted your face which was obviously due to exhaustion. He realised how you grew out of your child-like frame and kept it hidden underneath your usually loose clothing. He realised that it's been quite a while since he last took a good look at his childhood friend.

She had always been soft to hold, he thought to himself. Maybe I never realised it because I rarely hold her nowadays.

Meanwhile, you were panicking in the bathroom, coming to terms that you dropped an important piece of clothing in your room. You sighed in resignation and defeat. "Ah... It's Ten-chan, after all..."

Back in your room, Seiran took a peek and smiled at the young man. "Stay for dinner, Tenya-kun. Baa-chan is making your favourite beef stew."

He raised his hand. "I-I wouldn't want to impose—"

"Oh, nonsense," the older girl replied with a laugh. "You're family, after all! And baa-chan said it's been a while since she last saw you, so you should stay for a bit."

Tenya smiled. "I guess it has been a while… I'll take up your offer then, Seiran nee-san."

"Where is Otome?"

"I'm here, nee-chan," the younger girl appeared, clutching your sweaty clothes to your chest. You were surprised when your older sister snatched them from your hands.

"Tomorrow's washing day, so I'll be taking these!"

"Nee-chan!"

"In you go!"

Seiran promptly pushed her little sister into her room, gently closing the door behind her.

"S-Sorry… Did I take too long?"

"Not at all, Otome-chan," he replied. "But, ah, I think you dropped this on your way out."

Tenya took the folded garment on your bed and handed it back to you. You quickly grabbed it and tossed it back into your closet, sliding it closed with your foot.

"I-I don't need it anymore," she mumbled, taking a seat beside him now. "Now what brings you here, Ten-chan? Did nee-chan tell you anything strange?"

Ah, came his thought. He gave you a good look again, taking in your damp hair and flushed face. Your loose shirt hung almost carelessly over your torso.

"I just came to confirm if it's true," he replied, snapping out of his trance and gently edging away from you. "I heard the senseis discussing it earlier today and I thought that they were kidding."

You were surprised to hear that the news already reached him, especially after you and your grandfather tried to conduct the affairs as discreetly as possible. You ran your fingers through your damp hair, seemingly lost in thought. "Ji-chan was the one who came over and discussed things with Principal Nezu earlier this morning. Afterwards, he had my dorm room vacated. I said my goodbyes to my classmates today and went to the workshop with him for a short training session. To be honest, I never thought that things would happen so quickly. I expected the withdrawal to last at least a few days, at least…"

"When…" He swallowed the lump in his throat. "When will you be leaving?"

You smiled at him, gently reaching for his face. "Ten-chan, are you upset?"

"I—" His reply came out short. He tried to calm his senses when you slowly scooted over closer to him and closed the distance between you, gently pulling his head so he could rest his forehead against your own.

"Please don't be upset," she whispered. "I said it before. I want to become someone you can fully rely on without any hesitation at all. Someone capable enough to stand beside you."

Tenya heard the crack in your voice, but you paid no mind to it. "I want to learn how to stand on my own two feet. I want to stand beside you, not just rely on you all the time…"

You were on the verge of tears but was surprised when he brought his hand to your neck, gently caressing your nape.

"I understand, Otome," he managed a smile, wiping away the tears that ran down your cheeks in the most gentle way he could. "If you need your space to grow, then so be it."

You held onto his larger hands, a wave of security washing over your entire being. "Ten-chan…"

"I, too, will grow up into a hero worthy of being your friend, Koganei Otome," he stated surely, his clear gaze meeting your teary eyes. "I'll be waiting here."

Smiling through the tears, you could only nod at him. "Please wait for me to come home, Iida Tenya."

The two of you managed to laugh at your own seriousness, breaking apart from each other's grip into a fit of giggles and chuckles.

"S-Stop moving so carelessly, Otome!" Tenya wheezed. "You're going to expose yourself—!"

You were rolling on the floor now, laughing as he tried to pull down your shirt pooling over your chest. "I-I can't help it! Y-Your serious face is always so funny, Tenya!"

"I always have a serious face! Are you saying my face is always funny?!"

"Kyaa! Don't tickle me!"

"I'm not tickling you!"

The fit of laughter could be heard downstairs where the rest of the Koganei family was. The family patriarch chuckled to himself. "At least we know they aren't doing anything indecent."

"I agree," the elderly woman who was cooking up a storm in their kitchen replied. "But then again, Tenya-kun has always been a very proper child."

"Nothing less than spectacular from that family." 

The rest of the evening went by as perfectly as a memory. This wasn't at all a new occurrence, for Tenya had been a frequent guest of the family especially when he was much younger, and both Sentaro and the lady of the house took a great liking to him.

"I'm afraid I've overstayed my welcome, but I can't thank you enough for preparing such a wonderful meal!" The young man gave the elderly couple a deep bow as he got into his shoes once more. "I look forward to my next visit."

"Always so polite," the Koganei matriarch said dotingly. "Can you imagine just how good your children would be, Otome?"

"B-Baa-chan! D-Don't say weird stuff like that!" You retorted, the heat rising to your face.

"They would be good kids, of course," Tenya replied with a smile, his remark further surprising the people in the house. "Our children, Otome-chan."

"T-T-Ten-chan! " You raised your hands to your burning face.

"What? Don't you agree with me?"

As your childhood friend made his way to your door, you stood right behind him, your hands meeting behind your back, as you curiously watched him fold his pants up to his knees. "Thank you for having me over tonight, Otome-chan. If it's possible, I'd like you to come over at home as well. I'm sure nii-san would like to see you before you go."

You smiled and nodded at him. "Of course. I'll make time for it."

"Good night, then," he stated. "Ah, but before I go…"

Tenya leaned down and brushed a kiss on your already warm cheek. He met your flustered gaze with a cheeky smile and was gone with a puff of smoke.

"Th…" You touched your left cheek subconsciously. "Th-That Tenya…"

— Orange and a beat.

"Ah, nii-san! I hope you're around tomorrow. Otome-chan will be visiting."

"Oh, is that so? It's been a while since I last saw Otome-chan! I'm glad you finally decided to invite her over again."

But on the promised day, you and Tenya arrived at the Iida residence and found no one at home.

"S-Sorry for the intrusion…" You quietly stated as you unlaced your sneakers. Tenya place a set of smaller slippers before you before eventually calling out to his family. He found a note on their kitchen table and inspected it. 

"I'm afraid they won't be back for a while, Otome-chan," he replied with a sigh, setting down the little note on the table again. "However, they did say that they were looking forward to seeing you. Looks like we're gonna have to wait a little."

You stood up straight and smoothed out the skirt of airy peach-coloured dress. "I see. They must have went somewhere important."

"They had to go to the hospital for a bit for nii-san's check-up."

A strange silence enveloped them for a split second before Tenya approached you, surprising you as he took your hand in his. "W-We can stay in my room while we wait!"

And as you expected, not much has changed in his room since you last came over, which was pretty much over a year ago. His curtains and bed sheets were still blue, and he still had books lined up neatly in his shelves, while some were on the floor. You eyed the photo frames displayed on one of his shelves and saw two that piqued your attention.

One was a photograph of the two of you  when you were children. It was Tenya's seventh birthday and he held a present in one of his arms while you clung onto the other. While you both had cheeky smiles on your faces, you looked like you were about to cry.

"Ah, that's from one of my birthdays, yes? I remember how you held back your tears because my other friends were there as well," he said with a smile. "While it's true that I've grown to have other friends, you've always remained most special to me, Otome-chan."

You wiped away a stubborn tear in the corner of your eye. "I-I know that, but where did you get this?"

You raised the other frame in his direction, to which he could only respond with another smile. It was a stolen photograph of you back in middle school, your smile radiant as your friends gathered around you in the hallway.  

"Ah, that's from…" He contemplated on whether he would tell you where exactly he obtained the photo, but he figured that it's been a while anyway. "I caught one of the school paper photographers taking that photo without your consent. It was only natural that I apprehended them, but, ah…"

"C'mon, kaichou! I'll let you in on this if you let this slide!"

He held his chin, brows furrowed as he recalled his actions. "As shameless as I thought it was, I actually let him go in exchange for that photograph."

A small pfft left your lips as you tried to hold back your laughter. "T-Ten-chan, how shameless!"

"I know! I apologise!" He proceeded to get down on his knees and you knew exactly where this was going. 

"O-Oi, stop that!" You pulled him back up before he could completely do dogeza. "Seriously, Ten-chan! It's all right! This photo is years old, anyway."

"Still, it was something I kept without your consent…"

"Oh, Ten-chan, it's all right, for goodness' sake. I'm actually surprised you kept it around…"

You returned the photo on the shelf and babbled about how nice the other photos were. Tenya had a few photos of Class 1-A on display as well. He, on the other hand, was drawn to an item on his study table that he hasn't seen before. He saw a small carton of… something… and a small note that looked like it was written by his elder brother.

'Tenya,' the note began. 'I know I don't need to remind you, but always keep in mind that Otome-chan is Sentaro-san's precious granddaughter and a dear friend to our family, so don't do anything that would harm her. If ever you get carried away, don't forget to—'

Tenya's blue eyes turned to the box that was still neatly wrapped in clear plastic. "Th-This is—!"

"Ten-chan, did you even listen to a word I was saying?" You remarked, annoyed that your childhood friend looked bothered by something. "What's that you have?"

Panicking, he hurriedly hid the box behind him, but his expression was enough to pique your attention. "I-It's nothing!"

Your soft footfalls stopped right before his taller figure. You gave him a coy smile. "Ten-chan, you have something you don't want to show me? How lewd!"

He didn't even flinch when you jokingly snickered at him, the same panicked expression still on his face. "Hey, what is that you're hiding from me?"

Your next step forward caught him completely off-guard, causing both of you to stumble and crash onto his bed.

"Otome-chan, are you all right?!"

It was Tenya's first instinct to catch you in his arms, and you landed right on top of him. You huffed and pulled out the slightly flattened box from underneath him, a triumphant grin on your face.

"What's this? Are these—"

He quickly snatched the box from your hands. "It's not what you think. I—"

"Of course it's not, Ten-chan," you said with a nervous laugh, slowly rising from your position above him, your face heating up in shock and embarrassment. "I mean, wh-why on earth would a model student keep a box of condoms in his room, right?!"

"Otome-chan, this is nii-san's doing," Tenya sighed and sat up as well. He reached for the note on his desk and handed it to you, your eyes quickly scanning the note that made you feel even more embarrassed. He feigned a cough into his fist and threw the small box of condoms into his bedside drawer. "It would be improper to lay hands on you before marriage, so we really have no use for these yet. After all, I…"

Tenya turned back to you once more, a look of shocked and panic painted all over your face. "Otome-chan?"

"Y-Y-You said marriage!" You squeaked at him, your hands over your chest.

"Of course. Marriage is the natural course for two people who love each, right?" He looked at you with an as-a-matter-of-fact expression on his face. "I don't know how long you'll be in Australia, but I think I'll be well-prepared for a life with you when you decide to come home."

"W-W-Wait a moment, wait a moment!" You raised your hand towards him, trying to comprehend where your conversation was going. "Wh-When did you start thinking about m-m-marriage?!"

Tenya brought a hand to his chin and closed his eyes for a moment, the quiet enveloping you both not at all uncomfortable to you. "Do you remember when we first met when we were children?"

"Th-That long ago?…"

"Ah, no," he replied, once more taking your hand in his. "When I first saw you, I thought I heard bells ringing in my head for a moment, as if signifying something important. However, since we were mere children back then, I never really paid mind to it."

You felt tears prickle your eyes. "Ah…" Those bells in the wind.  

"I told nii-san about it and he said he didn't know what it was since he never experienced it," he stated, clasping your hands together before resting them on his lap. "And when I told my parents about it, they simply told me that I'd find out the meaning of it sooner or later. As for the part where I started thinking about marriage, well…"

He looked down at your hands clasped together, smiling as he realised not a lot has changed. Your hands were still much smaller than his own. "It just came to me naturally, as if my instincts were telling me that you were someone I needed in my life. However, I carefully came to consider it when your obaa-san remarked that we would have good children together."

"Now that you mentioned it, I never got around to telling you, but I do like you," Tenya brought your hands to his lips and brushed a kiss on your knuckles. "Quite a lot."

"Tenya, why are you saying this just now?" Your brows knit in confusion, but you shook your head to shake away the obviously annoyed expression on your face. "You're not making things any easier for me." 

"I apologise," he murmured. "I thought you needed to know. I didn't want to leave anything unsaid. I don't want us to have any regrets."

You looked at your hands still laced into his. "Kiss me."

"I'm sorry?"

"You heard me," you stated, holding his gaze as fiercely as you could. 

Tenya leaned down in compliance, obviously unnerved by your cool manner of commanding him. You eyed as he visibly swallowed the lump in his throat in complete nervousness, your lashes drawing to a close as you felt his breath ghost over your lips. 

Soft. It was as soft as he pictured in his head. As hard as you sounded mere moments ago, your lips were nothing but soft against his own now. He had to admit that your kiss nearly coaxed the hardened warrior in him to completely surrender to whatever juvenile thoughts you evidently shared.

"I love you, Iida Tenya. Don't ever forget," you breathed against his cheek before he could duck and rest his head on your shoulder, evidently embarrassed by the tender kiss you shared just seconds ago. 

Tenya pulled you even closer to him, strong arms completely encasing you in his embrace. He nodded, the shyness still fresh in his face that he refused to look you in the eye. "I won't ever forget."

Figuring it was rather unsafe for you to remain in his room, you opted to head back downstairs and watch TV in the living room instead while drinking orange juice. Once in a while, you would catch Tenya giving you a long look before eventually smiling. You stole as many kisses from him as you could, not that he ever complained. 

He clapped as you sang and danced erratically along to a Kyary Pamyu Pamyu music video, while you laughed breathlessly as he imitated the British Prime Minister talking on international television. 

Home is not a place, you thought to yourself. You are my home. You and all this happiness.

— ʚɞ —

When the afternoon rolled by, Tensei and his parents finally arrived home. They were surprised to see the young pair playfully dancing the waltz in their living room, their laughter resounding in the house.

"Ah! Oji-san, oba-san! Tensei onii-chan!" She gently broke off from Tenya's grip and walked towards his family, giving them a deep bow. "Welcome home! I apologise for the intrusion!"

"How have you been, Otome-chan?" Tenya's mother spoke warmly, smiling at the young girl. "It certainly has been a while."

The younger Iida son made his way to his parents, taking the plastic bags filled with groceries from his father's hands.

"Mm, it certainly has been," you warmly replied and walked towards Tensei, who was walking with his crutches.

"Look at you," the older son remarked, ruffling the younger girl's hair with an unsteady hand. "You've grown into such a pretty girl!"

You smiled as Tensei slowly slung his arm around you, allowing yourself to assist him to a seat. "How have you been, Tensei onii-chan?"

"Much better, actually," he said with a sigh as you steadily sat on the sofa in the living room. Tenya and their parents disappeared to the kitchen to prepare dinner. The older brother smiled at you once more, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze. "How have you been, Otome-chan?"

You took a moment to gaze at Tensei, who looked very much like an older version of your Tenya. The stress of the events have made itself evident in the older brother's face. The Iida brothers had a penchant for blue, so it was no surprise he wore a similar dark blue pressed shirt similar to what the younger brother always wore. 

You smiled back at him once more. "I'm doing well, onii-chan."

"That's good," he remarked. "Has Tenya been treating you well?"

You managed to nod at his question. "He most certainly has been."

"He told us you were leaving for Australia. Is that true?"

As always, I can't expect him to keep a secret from his family. You gave him a rueful smile and nodded. "Yes. Ji-chan and I will be spending some time there to think and train and stuff."

"That's understandable," Tensei nodded. "I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to admit it, but you've always been Sentaro-san's favourite, huh?"

You shrugged at him and sat back with a grin. "I guess there's no denying that."

"How… How is…" He silently remarked, eliciting a curious look from you. 

"Onii-san?"

"Ah, it's nothing," he dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand. "Pay no mind to that, Otome-chan."

You rested your cheek on the couch and let out a small laugh. "I can't help but think that Ten-chan will look like you when he gets older."

"Hmm, you think so?" He brought a hand to his chin and looked thoughtful, imitating his little brother's serious look. "Like this?"

A hand flew up to your mouth to stop your breathless laughter. "Yes, onii-chan! Just like that!"

Tensei was surprised when his younger brother suddenly appeared behind you, wrapping an arm around your shoulder. "Nii-san, I'll have you know that Otome-chan did have a crush on you when we were younger, but please show some restraint."

"T-Ten-chan?!"

"Please stop making my future wife laugh more than I do," Tenya stated, adjusting his glasses before releasing you once again and disappearing back into the kitchen.

Tensei was holding back his laughter as well. "He might not show it, but he's actually quite possessive."

"H-How childish!"

"You know, Otome-chan, I'm surprised he only decided to act now, seeing as you've always been together to begin with, but, ah, I guess Tenya's afraid to further lose what you two have." 

"While it's true I did have a crush on Tensei onii-chan, it was only for a little while," you said with a laugh. "And maybe it's just because I was drawn to the thought of an older Ten-chan…"

"I'm glad you two are talking again," Tensei remarked. "He seems a little happier. Ah, I was hoping he'd be the same kind of chipper again, but seeing as you're leaving soon…"

"Onii-chan, Ten-chan will always be happy even when I'm not here anymore," you replied with a wicked grin. "I know I'll always be his favourite one, but he has a lot of amazing friends at UA, after all."

Tenya eyed you from afar, smiling to himself as he watched his two most favourite people happily talking to each other. "Honestly… Talking about me like I'm not even here?"

The young men's parents showed great interest in your stories and current exploits as a support course student at UA, especially since they haven't seen you for quite some time. They knew you were a talkative one, even when you and Tenya were younger, but they managed to speak to you with great ease, testament of your families' good shared history with each other. 

"If you find yourselves in Australia, oji-san, oba-san, you should let me know! I'm sure ji-chan and tou-chan would love to have you there!" You excitedly exclaimed, holding your half-empty rice bowl in hand.

"Well, I'm sure Tenya will be the first one to show up there, Otome-chan," Tensei said with a chuckle. "He needs to do something because I think you're going to be pretty popular with the locals."

You stifled your laughter as you felt Tenya tense up beside you.

"I'll be with ji-chan the whole time, so I don't think we'll be meeting a lot of people. He said we'll be staying in Melbourne, one of the colder cities there."

Tenya could hardly keep up with your chattering for the rest of the dinner. To be able to come home to your laughter, sweeter than the bells he heard in his childhood, would have to be the next dream he was working on achieving. How long has it been since their home was last filled with so much meaningful noise? He savoured it, basked in it, though he could no longer relate to the conversation, for only the gods knew when he'd be able to hear it again. 

— Not like the movies.

Another lovely silver moon hung in the night sky as you walked back to your home. You and Tenya lived in the same neighbourhood, just blocks away from each other, and he insisted on seeing you home even though it was relatively safe place to live. 

"Ten-chan, you didn't have to walk me back home," you remarked as you stood on your porch, turning back to him with a smile. Tenya was just a few steps away from you, as if making sure you'd lock your door behind you.

"I just wanted to make sure you get home safe," he replied, surveying the area. "Why are all the lights off?"

"Ah, there's no one home but me tonight. Ji-chan and nee-chan are still at the office because he's packing up some of the stuff he needs for our flight overseas."

"Y-You mean to say you're all alone tonight?"

"Looks like it," you gave him a long look before pulling open the gilded door. "Is something wrong, Ten-chan?"

He wasn't talking.

"Are you worried about me spending the night alone?" You said, a coy smile on your face once more. "You're welcome to stay—"

"I'll stay with you for a while," he approached you, much to your surprise, and entered the gate of your home, gently closing it behind him.

"A-All right then," you quickly turned away from his gaze and opened the door further for him. "Welcome."

You flicked the main light switch open and unlaced your sneakers, setting them down on the shoe rack.

"Pardon my intrusion…" Tenya followed suit. He was rather puzzled by the number of brown boxes in the living room. "It looks like you're really ready to leave."

"Mm…" You replied with a pensive smile. "Have to be up early on Monday because it's gonna be a long flight."

"Monday, huh?"

You turned back your childhood friend, his tall figure still fixed on the doorway. Tenya rarely showed any negative emotions to you, so his tears made you bolt back to his side. 

"Tenya, please," you said, your voice low and soft as you gathered his face in your smaller hands. "Please, please, please don't cry… I'm sorry I didn't tell you when we were leaving. You know how hard it would be for me to part from you, so I opted not to tell you, but then you insisted on—"

The boy could only pull you in his arms, encasing you once more in a lung-crushing embrace you paid absolutely no mind to. You raised your arms to meet his embrace, clinging onto him as tightly as you could.

"I'm sorry, Tenya…"

"Please don't apologise…" He uttered, gently breaking your embrace to kiss your head. "Don't apologise for wanting to grow, Otome. You don't have to apologise for this. I'll be waiting here, so take all the time you need."

— The Waltz of Four Left Feet.

On the first day of the new week, Izuku, Ochaco and Shouto found Tenya gazing up at the sky as he saw a plane fly over their school.

"Iida-kun! Good morning!"

The four of them made their way to their classroom, chattering about their weekend exploits. Tenya tried to drown his thoughts in his friends' conversations, anything to distract himself from the sadness threatening to rear its ugly head. He was about to follow Shouto and Ochaco into their classroom, but was stopped when Izuku gently grasped his shoulder.

"Iida-kun, we heard about Koganei-san. Some of the people from 1-H were pretty upset about it," the freckled boy started. "But I remembered you two are close friends."

Tenya could only manage a short, "Ah." 

"I know she's been a constant source of support and encouragement for you, but please keep in mind that we're here, too."

The blue-eyed boy smiled, feeling hopeful once more. He placed a firm hand on Izuku's shoulder. "That's exactly what she said, Midoriya-kun. That's why I…"

He paused and closed his eyes, gently composing himself. "She said she'll be working hard, so I have to do my best, too. We all have to."

A bright smile appeared on Izuku's face as he nodded in agreement. He started talking about some of the new Pro Heroes that made their debut over the weekend.

— ʚɞ —

'Ten-chan, ji-chan and I finally got settled down in a place called North Melbourne. It's been raining ever since we arrived here. The place looks very different from Musutafu, where it's always sunny.'

"Come, Otome-chan." Not much has changed in your grandfather's appearance ofnow that you're in Australia. Doing away with his samue, Koganei Sentaro now wore a pressed red dress shirt and dark chinos, the same gilded cane on his right hand. Today was your first step into a new life in a new environment— one far from the familiarity of home, one far from your beloved's ever-watchful gaze.  

Once again, you pulled your beige overcoat over your figure and loosened the red scarf around your neck. "Coming, ji-chan!"

'It turns out ji-chan has some friends in high places over here. He managed to get his friends to pull some strings and got me into a Victorian hero academy that specialises in the support course and management. He told me it's a state academy, which meant it's just as prestigious as UA, so I guess it's a start.'

"Will you be all right?" The elderly man asked you once more as you were already halfway through the building entrance. 

"Ji-chan, we didn't travel this far just for you to worry about me like Ten-chan," you smiled at him. "Please don't worry about me. I'll be all right."

You slung your backpack on your shoulder and gave him one last wave before disappearing into the red brick building. This was your first step into the unknown without someone there to catch you, but you knew deep down you'll be fine. Faces of various colours watched closely as the homeroom teacher held out his hand to present you to the class. Taking a deep breath, you pictured it in your head clearly— Tenya and his warmest smile— before finally breaking out into heiress mode.

"It's nice to meet you all! My name is Otome Koganei. I'll be in your care."

'I think I could get used to this kind of life. It's still nowhere near better than being with you, of course, but I want to be able to live my life without being watched all the time. I won't be reckless, I won't be careless. I promise I'll be good while I'm here, so please put your mind at ease.'

"Put your back into it, dearest."

"Y-Yes, tou-chan!"

Koganei Seito had a watchful eye over your workshop table as you carefully imbued a cuirass with your golden smithing quirk. 

'I'll be home before you know it. Love you. - ◼'

Tenya smiled as he reached the end of your first email to him. He scrolled down the screen of his mobile phone and saw a few photos attached to the message, such as your selfie outside your new school, a photo of your grandfather standing outside their new business outlet, a photo of you and your father watching a game of AFL at the MCG, as well as a photo of her new bedroom, made cosy with the familiar tealights gifted to you by his mother.

"Work hard, Otome-chan," he uttered in the darkness of his dorm room. He was already tucked in, but he wanted to finish reading the first email you sent him ever since your arrival in Australia. Surprisingly, he started typing a few things to a draft email.

'Otome-chan, I know I said I'd be waiting patiently, but I guess what I really wanted to say was hurry back home to me.'

He shook his head and started backspacing. "How selfish."

'I'll be working hard from my end, so take all the time you think you need—' 

"I need to work hard, for her sake too." 

— Eccentric Lady.

— 21 August, Year 2XXX. XX years later.

Tokyo Haneda Airport remained bustling with activity even as the years flew by. It almost seemed like nothing changed at all. Several flights from different parts of the world have descended on the Land of the Rising Sun and such was the Qantas plane that carried Australians eager to explore the richness of this country's history. A sigh escaped your lips as you waited for your check-in luggage at the baggage carousel. You impatiently tapped your thick-soled white sneakers, bringing out your mobile phone from your pocket to check if the airport had any WiFi. A single message popped up on your screen, prompting you to push your dark sunglasses up to your forehead. 

'Welcome home, Otome.'

You removed your oversized sun hat and shook your head, smiling to yourself as you reached out for your luggage, a single suitcase wrapped in a cat-printed nylon cover. You surveyed the airport, eyes drawn to a poster of the new top Pro Heroes patrolling the streets of Musutafu. A smile played on your lips as you saw some familiar faces, but there was Ingenium, who concealed his handsome face underneath his knight-like helmet.

"Ojou-san."

You nearly jumped as a middle-aged man in a dark suit and tie tapped your shoulder. "Geez, Yohan-san! I just got back and ya givin' me a heart attack!"

"My apologies, Otome-ojou," he chuckled and bowed his head. Sakashita Yohan was one of Koganei Sentaro's trusted bodyguards whom he left in Japan for Seiran. He was also the adoptive father of your friend Marin. The older man had a rather gruff exterior, tanned skin and a soft stubble that peppered his chin and jaw. "How have you been?"

"Absolutely elated that I don't have to speak in English anymore," you said with a laugh, turning over your luggage to the older man. "How are you?! And how is Marin? Where's nee-chan?"

"We've been well, ojou-san. As you know, Seiran-ojou is at the office," he replied, pulling the medium-sized luggage as you walked side by side. "Shall we head there?"

"Mm, yes," she nodded at him, only to be distracted by the sight of food on your way out. "Ya wanna grab some chow before we head there?"

Yohan chuckled. "Your accent is slipping, ojou-san."

You made the older man smile even more as you proceeded to talk madly with your Australian accent.

"How have you been, Musutafu?"

The dark car you were riding pulled up at the lobby of the Koganei Support Company. You stepped out of the car and walked into the building, smiling at the people and workers who carefully watched your every move.

The Koganei Support Company was a small glass building that only had 20 floors. It was barely a skyscraper, but people in the area considered it a landmark because of the single golden statue of a large bird that sat before its entrance. You hopped into an executive use elevator alongside a number of other people, eliciting strange looks from them. 

A sigh left your lips as you pulled up your sunglasses to your head, their expressions swiftly changing from contempt to surprise as they met your eyes, as if finally coming to their senses. You grinned to yourself as you watched each worker scurry out of the elevator to their respective floors, evading your gaze as they stepped out.

When the elevator reached the 20th floor— the CEO's Office— you saw your elder sister gazing out of the window, a knowing smile reflected on the glass.

"Someone told me an eccentric figure entered the premises," Seiran turned to you. She wore a green dress shirt and slacks paired with dark pumps. Her hair was tied in a loose braid that hung over her left shoulder. "If I weren't so kind, that person would've lost their job now."

A cheeky smile spread across your face as you ran to your sister, excitedly jumping into her arms. "Nee-chan!"

Seiran stumbled a little as your frames crashed into each other. She took one look at her little sister in her arms and grinned. "Did you receive my message?"

"Mm," the younger girl nodded, breaking apart from their hug. "Oh, let's take a selfie! Need to let tou-chan know that we're already together." 

You whipped out your phone from your pocket and raised it just enough for your to find your best angle. Seiran chuckled. "Of course. Everyone would love to have a photo with Goldrush, right?"

Goldrush, the moniker of the rising star in the support industry. That was the name you handed out when asked about your craft, a name so sacred since it was only gifted to you. 

Seiran was quite surprised at some of the strange habits you picked up during your time in Melbourne. She noticed how your accent would slip out once in a while and how animatedly you spoke. Still, you spoke without a care in the world, unconscious of the company workers lined up along your way out of the building. Every head bowed as the sisters walked past them.

"Aren't you ever getting married, nee-chan?" You asked rather absentmindedly. Seiran scoffed at your question.

"You and Tenya-kun should just make a lot of children," she said with a shrug. "Then we can put one in charge of the company."

"Wh-What?!" You squeaked at her.

"Reminds me…" The older girl brought a finger to her lips. "Have you even told him that you've returned?"

"Well, he's in for a nice birthday," you chuckled as you got into the same dark she was in earlier, Yohan still on the wheel. "But let's head home for now, ne?"

— ʚɞ —

"Ah! Welcome home, my lovely little bird!"

You returned your grandmother's hug despite feeling rather crushed by it. "Baa-chan!"

"How have you been, my dearest?" The old woman winked at her, beckoning her to sit beside her. "How are your father and grandfather doing?"

Not at all surprising, you spent the rest of the evening catching up with your sister and grandmother about your exploits in Australia.

"I received my Provisional Support License while I was in Australia," you stated rather excitedly, bringing out the little identification card that had your details on it. "I'm wondering if I can still have it updated or upgraded now that I'm back home. Will I have to join an office or an agency? I can't wait to start making some support items for heroes!"

You noticed the way your grandmother turned to her older granddaughter, seeing the pensive smile on your sister's face as you spoke of your license.

"I hope you don't mind if I turn in for today," Seiran rose from her seat. She chuckled and ruffled your hair. "You can always ask Tenya-kun what you have to do, Otome. Good night."

"Good night, Seiran nee-chan."

You and your grandmother could only watch Seiran's rather dispirited figure retreat upstairs, listening to the gentle closing of her bedroom door.

The old woman sighed. "She must still be hurt about it."

"Nee-chan? Hurt about what?"

"Otome, little bird, you know how your sister was once a Pro Hero in the making, yes? And how she suddenly changed her mind and realised she never wanted to be a hero," she caressed the cup of lukewarm tea in her hands. "Has it ever crossed your mind that she may have been forced to turn away from her dream?"

Later that night, Seiran was pleasantly surprised when she found you curled up beside her on her bed.  

"Nee-chan…" you whispered. "Baa-chan told me something."

The older girl could only roll to her other side to face her little sister, who was in the same fluffy pyjamas you once sent her from Australia. Seiran gently lifted her blanket and beckoned you to get in. There was no use in pretending to be asleep, anyway.

"What did she tell you?"

"Did you… actually want to be a hero?"

The pale moon shone a little light in her room, peeking through her mint green curtains.

"I envy you and Tenya-kun, you know. How you became inseparable even as time passed…" she paused. "And that alias you're using now… Do you remember when I suggested that to you?"

You nodded at her. Seiran brushed away the strands of hair on your forehead.

"That was supposed to be my hero name, Otome. It was given to me by Tensei when we were younger."  

The younger girl pursed her lips as she listened to her elder sister speak. So Seiran was to Tensei as you were to Tenya. It had been years since you last spoke so closely and so openly, so you opened her heart and mind to what your sister had to say, hoping you would understand why she feels the way she does. 

"It was tou-chan's greed that led me here. He was wrong about how we couldn't be heroes, Otome. And it was his greed that ripped me away from my dream. It was his greed that pushed me to pursue support instead of heroism. It was because he didn't want to surrender his birthright to his brothers. Tou-chan wanted everything, after all. And guess what?"

In the darkness, you made out how your sister's eyes were glassy with tears.

"He managed to get everything, Otome," Seiran said with a chuckle. "He got everything."

You gently scooted over and entered your sister's open arms, wrapping your own arms around her as well. "Nee-chan, I don't think it's too late…"

"It's too late for me, Otome. Tou-chan even blamed Tensei for filling my head with madness that I can be a hero when we're clearly not made for heroism, but…" Seiran affectionately ran her fingers through your hair. "Do me a favour, all right? When your child… tells you that they want to be a hero, let them follow their dream."

You nodded at her. "Do you also think that it's too late for you and Tensei onii-chan to reconcile?"

"Hmm… Let's get some sleep, ne?" Seiran closed her eyes. "Get some rest, Otome. You had a long day, right?"

"Please don't be so hard on yourself, nee-chan…" Seeing your sister's discomfort prompted you to close your eyes as well. "You deserve to be happy, too."

— All This And Heaven Too.

— 22 August, Year 2XXX. Ingenium's Birthday.

"Ah, c-can we help you, miss…"

The receptionists in the building were quick to assist the you, the trouble evident as you struggled to get through the glass doors of Team Idaten's HQ. 

What is happening? The cake box in your hand had been shaken as you pulled up the pink overcoat sliding off your shoulders. You stumbled a bit more as you reached for the strap of your sandals that came undone. 

You turned to the young women in suits, raising your thick sunglasses to your head once more and surprising the ladies with your CEO megawatt smile. "Ah, yes, I'm here to see Ingenium."

With assistance from the receptionists, you placed the fluffy cake and your dark purse on the counter and and raised your leg to adjust the straps of your sandals.

"Should've just worn sneakers instead…" You muttered, finally figuring out the clasp of your sandals.

"Koganei-san? I mean— Goldrush!" 

You looked up at and met the bright-eyed gaze of one Midoriya Izuku, who now goes by his hero name Deku. His green eyes shone in excitement as he made his approached, still in his teal-coloured hero costume. He was followed closely by Todoroki Shouto, who was also in his signature royal blue hero costume.

"Izuku-san!" You warmly smiled back as you came face to face with the pair. "And Shouto-san, too!"

You tried not to pay too much attention to the whispering and chattering of the people around you, but you couldn't help but wonder why your arrival warranted such gossip.

"It's definitely her! The support star Goldrush!"

"There's no mistaking it... She's the girl on Iida-san's—"

"She's really here!"

"I'm sure you're wondering why you're so well-known," Izuku said with a grin. "I think everyone in Ingenium's company knows who you are."

"Does Iida know you're here, Koganei?" Shouto asked, eyeing your belongings on the receptionists' counter. 

"Well, it's supposed to be a surprise, but…" You replied with a nervous smile. "Where is he, anyway?"

"He's just getting something from his office," Izuku replied. "We're supposed to head out tonight to celebrate his birthday, but seeing as you're here…"

"Oh, is that so? I can always come by again tomorrow," you raised your hands in defence. "You probably planned something for him, I wouldn't want to impose—"

"N-No, of course not, Koganei-san!" You met Izuku's familiar, nervous green eyes. "I'm sure Ingenium would love to spend his birthday with you!"

"Ah," Shouto remarked, a grin on his face. "Why don't we just let him decide what he wants to do instead?"

You turned back and saw Ingenium in the flesh, your dearest childhood friend still dressed in his dark one-piece suit, a few pieces of his light armour still attached to his shins. He had the most bewildered expression on his face, probably unable to make out if you truly were there.  

"Ten-chan! I'm home! Happy—" You happily exclaimed, only to be met by his tight embrace. You got on your toes and raised your arms to hug him back. "Happy Birthday, Pro Hero Ingenium."

You stood there locked in an embrace for a good minute before the people around you started clapping and cheering, including the two Pro Heroes behind you. Tenya gently broke the embrace, rather embarrassed and startled by the attention you received. He was still holding your hand, though. 

"Thank you, and welcome home," he smiled at you. You curled your fingers to grasp his hand. "We were just about to head out for drinks. You should join us!"

You were about to disagree, but you felt your mouth water a little when Deku started talking about a certain restaurant that served good pork cutlet bowls. Relenting, you spent the rest of the evening with the man of the hour and his two closest friends aside from you. You hoped your drinking in Australia helped raise your alcohol tolerance even just a little, but the sharpness of the drinks you had just shot straight to your head. 

"It's jet-lag," you chided herself without realising that the two countries' timezones were only an hour apart from each other. Surprisingly, it was Izuku who developed a strong tolerance for alcohol, and he was the one who made sure all his friends got home safe. 

You poked Deku's prominent chest, drunkenly unaware of how inappropriate it was. "Oh, this tolerance definitely came with the body."

"Iida-kun, are you sure you'll be fine with Koganei-san?" 

"Ah, yes," Tenya, who had mild tolerance, was still able to hold himself throughout the rest of the evening. "We'll be fine."

You basked in the coolness of Tenya's dark-coloured sheets, taking in a scent you dearly missed. You were a bit surprised when the bed shifted your position, now pinned under his larger, imposing frame. You gently reached up to his face and slid off his glasses.

"Tenya…"

Both of you had very little to say afterwards, seeing as the alcohol quickly took over you, but you could remember the little things, such as the gentleness of his hold, the small kisses you ran over his scarred arm, the warmth of the heady kisses he brushed on your cheeks, the quiet pants and moans you exchanged rather shyly, and the clearness of the early morning sunlight that peeked through the dark blue curtains, as if reminding you that you were home again.

Waking up in his arms the next morning, you were sure of at least one thing. 

This is definitely home.

— Providentia.

— 23 August, Year 20XX.

Cafe Lilico was one of the very few buildings to retain its rustic appearance despite the rapid gentrification of Musutafu. The small brick and wood cafe was situated between glass buildings, flower pots in full bloom lined outside its perimeters. From the inside of the cafe which smelled of mint and thyme, a slightly older Iida Tensei was waiting, seated patiently on one of the tables near a window, sipping on a warm drink in a delicate rose-printed porcelain teacup. Like always, he was in blue, and his crutches rested against his wooden seat. The cafe was special for him during his high school days at UA as he and some of his friends would frequent the place after their classes.

Looking back, he thought it was rather odd for a group of high school boys to be hanging out in a rustic cafe that sells good coffee and parfaits, but he recalled better memories, such as some with a good friend of his. A good friend whom he would be meeting in a while.

The sound of the small chime that hung on the cafe's wooden door prompted him to gently turn. For a moment, he was surprised to see a slightly older familiar face halfway through. He couldn't help but smile. "How have you been, Sei-chan?"

"Don't call me that," Seiran, who was in a pale teal dress, replied with a huff. "It's been years since I last saw you, T-Ten… Tensei."

"What? You can't call me Ten-chan just like how you used to?" He gave her a teasing grin.

"You know we're already almost 40," Seiran took a seat across him. "Childish nicknames are…"

"Or is it because that's what Otome-chan calls Tenya? Whatever it is, don't let her hear that," Tensei replied with a chuckle.

A waitress approached the pair with a menu in hand, but was quickly refused. 

"I'll have a chocoffee and a grape tart," Seiran turned to the young waitress and replied with a small smile. "Make that two grape tarts."

The waitress in a brown uniform took down their orders and gave them a short bow before disappearing into the kitchen.

"I was a little surprised you actually called," Tensei started. "How have you been exactly?"

"I should be asking you," she replied. "How are you feeling?"

Tensei was quiet and thoughtful for a moment, smiling at something outside the cafe window. Seiran tilted her head in wonder, slowly taking in his appearance. When their parents dissuaded them from seeing each other, she still saw much of him in Tenya, especially when the younger brother came over to visit their home.

"I've been well," he replied rather tensely. "Though I have to admit, it's a little strange having to rely on other people to get from place to place."

She figured. Tensei was a well-known leader who was often relied on by a lot of his subordinates, so she knew it would be hard for him to be the one relying on people now.

A tray containing a cup and two plates of grape tarts was placed on their round table. "Enjoy your meal!"

He smiled at Seiran. "You really do love that drink, huh?"

"Yeah," she smiled back, taking the blue rose-printed porcelain cup in her hands. "It's my favourite."

She blew into the cup, a cloud of steam swirling over her nose.

"Does it ever get lonely up there?"

"What?"

"You're the boss of your family's support company," Tensei eyed her movements. "But are you happy?"

A rueful smile played on her face as she placed one of the two plates before him, presenting him with a fork. "Are we really going to discuss this?"

He took it from her hands and grinned. "Why else would you call me?"

Seiran sighed. "You know, when Otome arrived a few days ago, she asked me something that bothered me a little."

Tensei sliced through the square-shaped tart. "And that is?"

"She asked me if I thought that it was too late to reconcile with you. To be honest, I was a little bothered by that question since we haven't talked for years. Not after I…"

The blue-eyed man shook his head. "Otome didn't know about it, I know. She never dared to ask why we weren't working together when our families have a long-term partnership with each other. I wanted to ask her about you, you know? How you…"

She quirked an eyebrow at him.

"You ended up being what you are now," he stated. "A cool and fearless leader."

"I don't think I'm cool or fearless at all, Tensei," she replied, setting down her cup. "I've been resigned to this fate and I took it in stride. If you're looking for the right word to describe me, it's more of detached."

"I see."

"And what about you?" She asked. "How does it feel being…"

"Down here?" He said with a chuckle. "Things really do look different when you're standing on top of something, huh?"

"I know you," Seiran said with a knowing smile on her face as she gently split her tart in half. "You would prefer to be down with the others rather than just standing on top of everything."

"…Fair point," he nodded. "Sorry, I didn't think about that analogy. This really has nothing to do with where we're standing now."

He took a bite into the tart and Seiran couldn't tell if he was smiling or wincing. "Ah, still as sweet and sour as ever."

And she couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Your laughter. It's so refreshing. I've missed it."

Seiran suddenly looked up from her plate, the heat surely spreading across her face. "Tensei, what the hell?"

— ʚɞ —

If there was one thing you missed from Australia, it was the rainy afternoons in North Melbourne. You tried to shed your thick overcoats for airy summer dresses that were more fit for Musutafu's warmer weather, but Tenya insisted on letting you wear one of his favourite wool cardigans, thinking your strapped and backless dress would draw too much attention.

The gray dampened your bright-coloured floral dress like a rain cloud would a sunny day, but you didn't mind it that much anymore because the cardigan smelled of sea island cotton and citrus fruits, something that distinctly smelled of Tenya.

He opened the door to the passengers' seat of his car for you and sat you in, instinctively reaching for the seatbelt to buckle you up. "Is something the matter, Otome-chan?"

You nervously pursed your lips as he leaned down to lock your seatbelt in place, his brows slightly furrowing in concentration. 

You wanted to kiss him. 

"All right, there we go," he said with a grin before leaning down again to kiss your cheek, almost as if he read your mind. "Shall we?"

— ʚɞ —

Tensei and Seiran were on their second cups of chocoffee when they started talking about their younger siblings. They were both in their first year of high school in UA when their little brother and sister were born. She knew that Tensei and Tenya had an amicable relationship right off the bat when the little brother was born, but she couldn't say the same since you shared a rather odd on and off sister relationship.

She stirred a golden teaspoon in her cup. "What can you say about how Tenya-kun is running your agency?"

"It's his agency now," Tensei replied, stirring a teaspoon in his cup as well. "I'm only helping him out. I have to admit, his single-minded thinking and straightforward way of running things kind of scares me, but he's doing pretty well even though he's still quite young."

"Otome should be drafting a contract with him now," she lifted her cup to her lips. "Ah, but you know how lovers don't work well together on the job…"

"Don't say that, Sei-chan," he gently pointed his teaspoon at her. "My mother and father worked pretty well during their time as heroes."

"I don't know… Otome's a businesswoman through and through, but she's so reckless. And knowing the two of them, they would always been needlessly worrying about each other. But I know Tenya-kun always gets the job done. He's not a top-ranking hero for nothing."

"I know. He used to be Ingenium's 'little brother', but he name's really stuck on him now."

A strange silence enveloped the two friends. Seiran softly ran her fingers over the fresh white roses in a vase on their table.

"I don't resent my little sister for taking my name as her own," she stated as she took a sip from her cup again. "Why would I? She had no clue at all."

"Sei-chan."

"One of the first things she told me when she got home is that I deserved to be happy," she turned her eyes to Tensei, who saw a light glimmer in them. "Me calling you out here… I think this is just me reconciling with my past and my dreams that I killed with my own two hands."

"It wasn't your fault that the life you wanted for yourself was taken from you, Seiran," he held her gaze. "You do deserve to be happy."

"Tensei…"

"You know, I forgot to tell you, but I know that you visited me years ago when I was still confined at Hosu," he had a small smile on his face. "I was barely conscious, and at first I thought that it was Otome-chan, but there's no mistaking that it was really you."

Seiran recalled the horrific incident from years ago, where she struggled to compose herself when she arrived at Hosu General Hospital. She heard everything from Tensei's mother, who was distraught at the fact that his son may never be able to walk again.

"I remember…" He quietly said. "You called me a fighter and that I would jump back from this."

"Of course you are," she replied, eyeing her half-empty cup of chocoffee. She contemplated on having another one.

"I didn't see you again after that," Tensei said with a chuckle. "You were a close friend that was ripped from my arms when we were younger, so when I heard from Tenya that the same thing might be happening to Otome-chan, I couldn't help but be a bit bothered… But I saw that wasn't the case at all. The two of them constantly spoke throughout the years Otome-chan was away. They must have realised then that they really like each other."

Seiran looked up and saw her friend concentrating his eyes on the ray of sunlight outside the tiny cafe, her eyes following the sight.

"It just made me wonder a little…" He rested his chin on his palm. "If I had kept in touch with you…"

The two of them were startled to see the surprised looks on the faces of their younger siblings, who were peering from outside the cafe window.

"Th-That's nee-chan and Tensei onii-chan, right?" You exclaimed while turning to Tenya, who had the same surprised expression on his face.

"He mentioned that he would be meeting a good friend of his, but I never thought that it was Seiran nee-san."

The younger pair saw their older siblings waving their hands at them from the inside, beckoning them to come in.

"Welcome! A party for two?" The same brunette waitress welcomed you and Tenya into the cafe, your entrance announced by the small chime of the bell that hung on the old wooden door.

"We'll have a party of four instead," Seiran rose from her seat and pointed to a larger table on the other end of the cafe. "May we transfer there?"

"Certainly! Please wait a moment," the young waitress disappeared from the scene to fix the said table.

"Ah, it looks like you've been here for a while," you eyed the contents of their table and found four cups and two plates.

"Nii-san, you didn't tell me the important friend you were meeting today was Seiran nee-san."

"Well, we're more surprised to see the two of you here," Tensei said with a laugh. "This place is…"

"Otome-chan and I went here a few times when we were in high school, before she transferred," Tenya stated. "She thought the place was cute."

The younger brother observed the soft way Seiran spoke to his elder brother and how she gently assisted him to the other table. Tensei moved rather clumsily as he slung one arm over the older woman's shoulders and took his crutches in his other hand. Tenya heard her ask his brother if he could manage.

"Is there a word to describe how two friends can still remain close despite the time that separated them?" you asked, giving Tenya's hand a squeeze as they watched their older siblings. You felt him shrug as he turned to you with a small smile on his face. They approached the two older figures and sat across them, the young waitress on their tail.

"I want a chocoffee and a strawberry tart," you lifted the small worn-out menu on the table and turned to Tenya. "And you?"

"A chocoffee and some Kaya toast as well."

"I heard their grape tart is good as well! Would you like to try it, Ten-chan?"

Tensei stifled his laughter as he observed their younger siblings. "Ah, I'm sorry, Otome-chan. I wasn't laughing at you. I guess Tenya really likes that name."

"Nii-san, please compose yourself," the younger brother raised his hand to scold his brother. "We're in a public place, after all."

"I'm sorry," Tensei chuckled again. "I just can't help but think that love is a dangerous business, and you've gotten yourself into something tricky, the two of you."

Seiran sighed into her palm before smiling. "You know, I'm surprised that no matter how close the two of you are, you never picked up each other's habits… But you understand each other just like clockwork."

"Otome-chan has always been a daydreamer, so I guess you could say that I'm…" Tenya spoke rather surely, a proud smile on his face.

You couldn't help but nod at him in defeat. "Yes, Ten-chan, you're the anchor that keeps my feet on the ground when my head's in the clouds."

"Have you two ever heard of providentia?" Seiran asked them. "They say when two destined people meet, they receive signs about what kind of future they're going to have with that person. Didn't you once tell me you heard bells when you first saw Tenya-kun, Otome? I wonder what that means."

"Oh," Tensei remarked. "Tenya asked me about the same thing before, but I didn't know what to say because I had no idea what he was talking about."

"D-Don't look at us like that!" You raised her hand in defence, your face as warm as the cups of chocoffee placed on their table. "T-T-Tenya and I aren't even—!"

"Suddenly, he's Tenya and not Ten-chan," the older brother chuckled. "You used to be more honest about your feelings, Otome-chan. What happened?"

"Well, we're sure about one thing," the younger man smiled as he gently reached for your hand under the table.

"W-We're definitely in love, so please…! Please don't ask us about marriage yet!"

Their laughter was enough to fill the small cafe. 

The news of Ingenium's engagement spread like wildfire over the next few days. It also meant busier days for the Koganei Support Company, since they soon became his agency's direct supplier of support gear. Most people thought Tenya's engagement to the young lady of the Koganei Support Company was out of convenience, but keen onlookers were quick to point out the depth of their relationship with each other. The tale of two childhood friends who grew up to become young heroes and then lovers became a well-loved story in Musutafu.

— ʚɞ —

"Ah, Otome, one moment."

The pair stood in front of the Koganei residence, the night sky sprinkled with lines and strings of white stars over them. 

"What is it?" 

Tenya didn't say a word when he gently took your left hand and slid a single silver ring on your ring finger. The simple band was enough to render you to tears. 

"Y-You…!"

"I did a lot of thinking over the years you were away," he started. "You didn't just leave for yourself, didn't you? You were also thinking about me and how I would handle things here as well… And I appreciate your consideration." 

You had a hand over your mouth as if trying to stop yourself from speaking. 

"I only realised how much strength and support I drew from you when you left," he smiled at you. "Ah, this is probably gonna sound strange and selfish, but please don't go anywhere anymore." 

You could only nod at him, your lips curling into a smile as warm tears rolled down your cheeks. He took your hand into his own again and broke into a smile as bright as your own. "Ready when you are." 

You felt like your back was going to break at the intensity of your embrace, but you didn't mind at all. "I think I've been ready ever since we first met, Tenya. " 

End.