Gracie Abrams is eking out a solitary existence, fighting day-in, day-out against the drain of working customer service and nursing two newborn kittens in her off time. Out on her own ever since her sister moved in with her boyfriend, the burden of...
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I felt as if I walked hand-in-hand with my doubt as Kirishima and I cut through the long grasses. My parents had driven us to the edge of the field, but I'd insisted we walk the rest of the way. Sunlight was beginning to pink along the horizon, so I knew we were almost out of time.
But I enjoyed the walk. I'd overexerted my ankle for sure. I could barely feel the thing. It was more like I was dragging a heavy piano behind me everywhere I went. I could put up with it for twenty more minutes, though, because I knew I needed it.
While I hadn't expected this conversation to be without any tears, I'd never imagined being this lost. Wasn't finding out you were wrong about your parents supposed to be freeing? Wasn't it supposed to make you happy?
I thought about the stark differences between myself now and from a year ago. Then, I thought about my parents. Tenna. We had all gone through something of a metamorphosis, separately, yet intricately linked. Because of course. We were family.
"I'm sorry if I made things awkward, watching you cry," Kirishima said, toeing us through a particularly strong stalk of wheatgrass. "I feel like I'm always having to watch you cry, and I know you don't want anyone there. I just—didn't know where else to go."
I steadied my hand on his shoulder, pulling him to a stop. We weren't alone anymore. Bobbing flashlights stilled our breaths until I recognized the frat guys. One of them appeared to have found a hat in the shape of a chomping crocodile. Why you would risk being shot from a helicopter to retrieve such an item, I couldn't say. But, some people would die for fashion so...
"Better hurry," they whispered like we were on a covert op. They winnowed their way through the grasses. Was the hat supposed to make them blend in? What town in Illinois had crocodiles, exactly??
"Listen, Kirishima," I started. I'd wanted Kiri to come with me partly because I wanted one last time where it was just the two of us, but now that we'd come to this, I found myself at a loss. A bursting swell of love narrowed my throat, and I went for it the only way I knew how: ramble city. "I'm so happy to have met you. When you were just a character to me, I thought you were really cool. I loved how you balanced Bakugo, how you learned how to be brave. But when I met you, I ended up relying on you way more than an adult is supposed to rely on a teenager. You've helped me through some really dark times, and I'm proud to call you my friend. You have nothing to apologize for, man," I said, cracking a smile through the sudden burning in my eyes.
Kirishima's eyes were glossy, and I caught his bottom lip wobbling before he summoned that innate strength and stilled it. The tremble worked through the fists at his sides, instead.
"And I know Kakashi appreciates everything you've done to help out around the condo. And everything you've done to help...in general." I sighed, and the tension finally released from my shoulders. Now, finally, there was a glimpse of freedom from this weight. "You're going to be the best hero. I'm serious. I don't know how you guys are gonna win against Shigaraki and All For One. I don't know that much," I stepped closer to place a hand on his shoulder, "but I know you've got what it takes. Everything you've survived here is proof of your kindness, your durability, and...your heart. I don't know if we'll see each other again, but..."
