LOST // BAKUGO X OC

New Years Day

Estelle was having breakfast when she overheard the class discussing their plans for the afternoon. It was the first time she had joined them for breakfast for a few days, unable to sleep more than a few more hours when spirits entered as fast as the snow reached the ground. She was expanding the base as much as she could, but it was a constant pain in her backside to continue asking the Commission for permission to spread the barrier.

She had amped up the training by miles when she decided to take part in scoping the enemy's bases directly, and it hit her that Nyx still had the lead despite her growing numbers. He had direct access to all the darklings from his world, and even though he was careful about the numbers coming through, Estelle was not as lucky to grow her numbers at the drop of a hat.

Raising her eyes from her plate, Estelle ignored Katsuki's stare as she finally tuned into their words. They were eating quickly as if they had somewhere to be, and she couldn't recall there being any reason as to why they would be in such a rush. Her questions were answered when Iida chimed, "I am spending the day with my family!"

"That's great! I'm going to go see my mum!" Izuku included, with a cute beam on his face, that various class members returned.

"I'm visiting my mum, and then I'll probably be with my sister for the rest of the day. I doubt my old man would make an appearance," Shoto muttered, his eyes seemingly having no thoughts behind them as he blankly stared ahead.

The conversation caused a chain reaction, with everyone informing each other about their plans for the day. Estelle's body tensed when she noticed that they were practically going down a line and that, eventually, their eyes would fall on her. Hastily picking her spoon back up, Estelle pretended she didn't notice their stare as she took another bite.

She had hoped they would have gotten the message, but maybe she had been too vague on it, considering their globes were still expecting a response from her. Absentmindedly taking another bite, she grunted, "What is it?"

"Are you visiting Nona tonight?" Kirishima asked, a joyful grin on his face as he leaned forward.

Furrowing her brows, Estelle slowly chewed before she swallowed and shrugged. "What for?"

Widening their eyes, the class practically slammed their heads on the table when they realised this was the second time this scenario had happened. They should have told Estelle about new years day! Honestly, what had they been thinking?! She had already informed them that she had never celebrated a day before Christmas; it was practically cruel of them to shove it in her face once again.

She must have felt so excluded. Again.

"It's another holiday! We celebrate the year ending!" Sero cheered, his smile wide as he raised his fist.

Estelle felt perplexed, tilting her head as she voiced her curiosity. "But Christmas was six days ago; why do we need another day to spend time with people?"

Sweatdropping, the class didn't know how to answer that. Regardless, they were glad that Kaminari stepped up to try and explain. "Well, you can never have too many holidays! Plus, it's not just about spending time with each other; we reminisce on the last year and set goals for the new one!"

Finding the reasoning sound, Estelle wondered if Nona was even available today, especially on such short notice. She didn't voice her trepidation, unable to damper the mood since they were enthusiastic about spending the day at home. She yielded from her thoughts with a soft smile, stating, "I'll ask if she's free."

"Great!"

-_-

Nona was not free.

Estelle had called her, unsure, as she asked if she could return for the night to spend some time together. Their meetings had become less frequent with so much happening around her, and Estelle found herself missing the older woman more than she thought she would. The female couldn't deny that her anxiety about Nyx finding Nona through their connection also weighed on her mind. She didn't want to put the woman in that position, no matter how much she wanted to stop by and drink tea like they used to.