Muted Voices (A BNHA/MHA x OC Fanfic)

Chapter 95: Work Studies

Koto's POV

Winter is a busy time for us in 1-A. A semester has ended, but that hardly means relaxation. While the end of exams may be a welcome weight lifted from my shoulders, I'm helping to lead the planning for our class' Christmas party.

Though it's not necessarily an intimate family holiday for most of my classmates, it was for my family. I can't deny that I get a bit teary-eyed as I string lights up on the tree.

"Soooooo," Mina draws out the word as she sidles up next to me. "Who did you get for Secret Santa?"

"Not telling," I immediately respond.

"Honestly Mina," Tsu interjects as she untangles a segment of lights. She puts a finger to her chin. "Did you really think you could get her with that?"

The pinkette pouts and picks up a bauble to admire it. "Denki told me his."

I give her a bright smile. "And now you know yours and his. You'll see who I got soon." I glance down at the box of ornaments at her feet. "Since you're not doing anything, you wanna help us here?"

Anything to get my mind off of that gift exchange. It's not that I'm bad at giving gifts, but this one has just been stumping me.

Momo and I aren't the closest of friends in the class, not to mention, I had it out for her a bit at the beginning of the school year. It's not like anything bad resulted from it, nor did she actually hear what I was thinking about her, but I still feel guilty for my poor mentality regarding her and Todoroki. Since I feel like I've turned a page with him, I feel it's only right to get myself on good terms with her as well.

I really want to get this gift right. Only one problem: what do you get for the girl who has enough money to buy whatever she wants?

I fight the urge to sigh as Tsu and Mina finish stringing the lights and we begin setting in on ornaments. I guess I just need to think harder.

•°•°•°•

I don't want to think harder.

I just finished finals, I have to delegate holiday preparations, I'm in no mood to do more thinking.

Over the past couple days, my friends and I have continued decorating, watching movies, and making food. At this point, I'm just tired and want to get to the celebrating part.

Today, Aizawa brought Eri to the dorms to hang out with our class, so we decided to make cookies. Taking my impatience out on the dough is mildly relieving.

"So, what have you been doing this holiday season?" Sato asks the little girl as he tips out a bowl of dough onto his own floured countertop.

A smile blooms across her small face. "Well, I went ice skating just yesterday and Mirio got me a really big hot chocolate. And Nejire-chan gave me a present!" She holds up the blue and green scarf around her neck gently, trying to not get flour on it. "She has a matching one! It's like we're sisters!"

"Hey, that's pretty cool!" Sato exclaims, propping his head up on his hand to show she has his attention.

I look on with affection in my eyes. It's like looking at a smaller, more innocent version of myself. What horrors has she gone through? To have seen all that and still be able to smile and seize every day with her friends...

Eri had Midoriya and Mirio there to save her. And I had Uncle Mic.

I make a mental note to give him an extra big hug the next time I see him.

"Koto?"

I jolt, not realizing I'd been spacing out while looking at the little girl. I blink the sheen of tears out of my eyes. "Sorry," I mumble. "I'm just happy to see you smiling."