{DEAR DEPARTURE} My Hero Academia

𝟺. 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙽𝚊𝚟𝚊𝚕 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚘

Aoyama gulps hard as the bathroom door shuts right in front of his face. All he wanted to do was look for the stupid bracelet that Kirishima insisted he left in the bathroom. And, although he didn't want to leave Kirishima alone, he went back for it. Why did he go back for it?

A few moments later, Midoriya and Uraraka walk out of the bathroom without saying another word. Uraraka keeps her eyes glued to the ground as she yanks Midoriya along behind her. She obviously doesn't want to look him in the eye.

"I didn't see anything, I swear," Aoyama calls after them, his hands clasped together and held close to his chest.

The couple both freeze, Midoriya turning his head ever so slightly to glance back at him. His eyes look almost pleading. Aoyama doesn't understand why, though.

"It's okay," Uraraka finally squeaks as her hand drops from Midoriya's. She keeps her back facing him as she then walks quickly down the hall and away from him.

"Sorry," Midoriya adds, a sheepish grin on his face. And then, just like that, he turns and follows her down the hallway, leaving Aoyama alone to wallow in his guilt.

"I should not have seen that," Aoyama mutters, shaking his head. His face burns red as the images flash through his mind. The last thing he needed to see was Uraraka on her knees, sucking her boyfriend's cock.

But what makes him really guilty is the first thought he had when he saw the two of them like that. It was a feeling of longing. A feeling that made his heart race and his hands shake.

"No, no, no," he says quickly, his mind racing. He has to forget what he saw.

He always hated that he had feelings for Midoriya. He knew that Midoriya had been interested in Uraraka for the longest time.

And what's worse is that, for the smallest second, he wishes he was Uraraka.

"Aoyama, you can't keep doing this," he scolds himself, trying to get the thought out of his mind. "You can't keep pining after people who don't like you back."

Absentmindedly, he walks back and forth just outside the bathroom, as if contemplating whether or not to break the seal or not. And that's exactly what Iida thinks as he approaches him.

"Hello, Aoyama," Iida greets him.

"Bonjour," Aoyama replies, forcing a smile onto his face. "Why aren't you out there enjoying the party?"

"I could ask the same thing about you," Iida replies kindly. "Is everything alright?"

"Well, I, uh... I think I took part in something I wasn't meant to," Aoyama mumbles, looking away.

"Like what?"

"Nothing!" Aoyama practically shrieks. "I was just... thinking aloud."

"If you say so," Iida raises an eyebrow but doesn't press further. "Are you going to use the bathroom?"

"N-no, it's all yours," Aoyama nods, stepping out of the way.

"Thank you," Iida smiles as he opens the door and disappears inside.

Aoyama lets out a sigh. He hates keeping secrets, but there's no way he could tell Iida what he saw. He can't tell anyone. It'd be so embarrassing, but not just for him. He doesn't even want to think about the things Bakugou would say if word spread to him.

As if the devil had been summoned, Aoyama suddenly spots Bakugou walking towards him. His arms are crossed and his scowl is as deep as ever.

"Have you seen Kirishima?" he asks gruffly.

"He should be in the kitchen. I gave him some water and-"

"Goddammit, why does everyone keep saying that?" Bakugou interrupts, storming off before Aoyama can answer.

"Oh dear," Aoyama frowns. He watches him stomp away, and can't help but wish he hadn't been the one to say that.

"Well, I better head back," Aoyama mutters as he starts down the hallway. But just then, the bathroom door opens and Iida steps out.

"Hey, Aoyama, have you seen Kirishima around?" Iida asks.

Aoyama blinks. "Why does everyone keep asking that?"

"What do you mean?" Iida raises an eyebrow.

"Nothing," Aoyama sighs, running his hand through his hair. "Why do you ask?"

"I found his bracelet in the bathroom," Iida nods as he holds out the circle of grey beads. "I'm positive it belongs to him."

"Oh, that's right, he had asked me to find that for him. "Merci, Iida."

"You're welcome," Iida smiles kindly.

"Wait," Aoyama says just as Iida turns to walk away. "Uh, do you mind if we, um, talk for a bit?"

Iida's expression grows serious as he nods. "Sure. Do you need help with anything?"

"Non, non," Aoyama shakes his head. "I just figured that since it's our last night, I should speak to everyone one last time before..."

"Alright," Iida nods. "So, where should we begin?"

"How about, um," Aoyama trails off, his eyes wandering down the corridor. "How about we sit somewhere?"

"Okay, sure," Iida smiles kindly as the two head off.

"How was your week?" Aoyama asks, trying to think of something to talk about.

"Busy," Iida says with a nod. "Though I have to admit, everyone has been working so hard that the burden of being class rep has not felt as heavy this week."

"Oui, you are quite correct," Aoyama agrees.

"And you?"

"My week was fine," Aoyama says with a sad smile as the two of them find a spot on one of the sofas to sit. "Luminaflare has asked me to work at her agency once we graduate."

"That's fantastic!" Iida grins. "You know, she's always liked you."

"You think so?" Aoyama asks, looking up in surprise.

"Yeah, ever since last year when you first worked with her," Iida nods.

"Really?" Aoyama repeats, feeling a bit more relaxed now. "That's a nice thought. Maybe it will all work out, then."

"You should believe in yourself more, Aoyama. You're a great hero," Iida says sincerely.

"Thank you," Aoyama nods, unable to hold back his smile. He always liked working with Luminaflare, too. He always found her ability to absorb light from his own attacks quite fascinating.

"What do you think you'll be doing, then?" Aoyama asks, glancing towards Iida.

"Well, I plan on continuing my brother's legacy as best I can. I've been offered a job at his old hero agency as well as Manual's, so I've got a bit of thinking to do still, but Tensei thinks I should work in Hosu."

"That sounds perfect," Aoyama tells him.

"Yeah, I think so, too," Iida nods, looking a bit more relaxed than usual. "It's just the beginning of the rest of my life. And, to be honest, it's quite scary."

"I'm sure your family will be there to support you," Aoyama points out.

"They will. And I'll be able to visit them more often, too. I've been missing them," Iida smiles. "Hey," he then changes the conversation, "I'm going to go get some water. Would you like anything?"

"Non, merci," Aoyama smiles as Iida rises to his feet. "I'll talk to you later then."

"Are you sure?" Iida asks, his eyebrows raised.

"Oui, thank you, though," Aoyama nods.

"Well, if you're sure," Iida smiles before walking around the sofa and disappearing into the crowd. Aoyama then sighs, a bit disappointed that he hadn't been able to have the conversation he wanted to. After all, he knows the way Iida feels about Uraraka. But it's wrong to try to manipulate others' feelings for his own gain. He'll have to make do with what he has.

With a newfound sense of determination, Aoyama rises to his feet. He'll do his best to help his classmates achieve their dreams, regardless of his feelings for them. After all, what really matters is that they're happy.