From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Seven

A few days into Katsuki's week-long trip and I'm already a grumpy, miserable mess, constantly checking my phone and frowning in disappointment when there's no new messages to read.

"Are you okay, Kaida?" Tsu asks me from across the table, tilting her head worriedly. As I look around at the other girls, they seem to share the same expression.

"What? I'm fine" I insist. Tsu blinks at me, Ochaco smiles sheepishly, Mina raises a disbelieving eyebrow, and Momo just sighs. Toru and Jiro both seem to be minding their own business, but then again, Toru is invisible and if she's making a face, I can't see it anyway.

"You've been staring at your phone almost the whole time we've been out" Ochaco says, shrugging when I eye her accusingly. I wasn't planning on getting ganged up on when I agreed to this whole lunch thing, but alas, here I am at the center of attention.

"Not to mention whenever you're not looking at it, you look like a five year old alone at their own birthday party" Mina adds, black and gold eyes giving me a pointed look. I gape at her.

"I'm sorry, correct me if I'm wrong, but you still do that whenever Kirishima goes out of town" I retort. She just makes a face.

"We're different. Way more openly obvious about our feelings. Seeing you like that? It's kinda scary" she replies and all I can do is blink in surprise.

"She's got a point. You act so tough most of the time, it's hard to believe you just miss your boyfriend" Toru agrees. I stare at all of my friends, completely taken aback.

"You do kind of look like someone just kicked your puppy" Jiro confirms, half disinterested.

"Guys! I have feelings. I'm not some kind of heartless harpy, what the hell?" I complain, both impressed with and disturbed by my reputation among friends.

"No one's saying you don't have feelings, Kaida. We're just worried" Momo assures me, trying to save the situation. I sigh heavily, glancing at my phone one more time just to frown. Nothing still. But the girls don't understand, it's not just the lack of affection or the fact that I miss him... it's worry that's eating me alive. With everything going on, how could I not be worried?

"It just makes me... nervous" I say stiffly, chewing on the inside of my cheek. It's not like he hasn't said anything in the last three days, but his communication has been few and far between. At least when he's closer to home, I feel like I can go after him if I need to. I clench my fist.

"I get nervous whenever Fumikage leaves home too, but he's a really powerful hero. Bakugo is too. You should trust him to take care of himself" Tsu suggests, an encouraging look on her face. I sigh, offering her a smile anyway. She's right... Katsuki isn't some weakling who needs my protection. He's one of the top heroes and he almost never loses a fight. If there's anyone I shouldn't be worried about, it's him... so why can't I stop?

"Besides, aren't you proud of him? It's one of his first official trips as the owner of his own agency. That's a huge step for him" Ochaco smiles kindly. I know she's trying to bring positive thoughts to the forefront of my mind, but she overestimates my anxiety levels. I force a smile anyway and nod.

"I am proud of him... anyway. The goal of this lunch was definitely not to sit around trying to make me feel better. How is everyone? Toru's married now, Ochaco's been teaching a few classes at UA... it feels like forever since we all got together" I say, changing the subject.

"I know, it seems like so much is changing so fast but it's only been a few months since the last lunch date" Jiro agrees, taking a sip of her smoothie.

"Yeah, I thought Shiori was coming this time too, what happened?" Mina frowns. I smirk a little, thinking back to the phone call this morning.

"Wedding plans take up a lot of time apparently. She and Shinsou are going cake tasting today" I tell the girls and there's a collective dreamy sigh.