Final Exams, Wholesome Hangout

When I woke up, the first thing I felt was a dull headache and a heavy drag on my body. Every muscle ached, limbs like someone'd sucked the life out of them. Took a few seconds to register I was still in bed. No surprise - barely slept, ran myself ragged, skipped dinner, and my body's still clawing back from the brink. This kind of beat-down feeling? Old news.

Sunlight peeked through the curtains, but it didn't look fresh - more like late-day weak. I tried rolling over, only to realize Himiko's arms had me in a death grip, her chest pressed against my face, soft as a damn teddy bear.

Somehow...she smells a lot like wildflowers, like a light, faint scent that's also very recognizable...

Why am I suddenly thinking about something so random...

"…What time is it?" I mumbled, voice rough from oversleeping.

Himiko just grumbled, half-awake. I fumbled for my phone on the bed, thumbing it awake to check.

4:37 p.m.

I blinked, brain scrambling to process - am I high or dreaming?

Wait. Almost 5 p.m.?

Oh, shit.

Panic hit - I jolted up, or tried to, but Himiko's hold yanked me back down like she wasn't letting go.

"You're up?" Her sleepy voice cut through.

I turned - there she was, curled in the blanket, golden eyes cracking open lazily.

Sure, her groggy face is usually a cute wake-up perk, but not today. A worse realization slammed me.

"The homework!" I shot up, scrambling for my handwritten stack. "Fuck, I haven't turned ours in! If Aizawa finds out..."

"Chill," Himiko yawned, tugging me back down. "I submitted both this morning."

I froze, brain catching up. "…Huh?"

She smirked, all smug and slow. "I called you like hundreds of times but you didn't wake up, so I got up early, wrote mine off yours, and turned 'em in. I still make it before the deadline - no biggie."

I opened my mouth to argue - she was just as wrecked as me, I should've handled it - but then it sank in: without her, Aizawa'd probably have me dangling from the ceiling by now.

"…Thanks," I sighed, all I could muster.

She giggled. "No need to get all formal~"

I leaned back, relief washing over me. Still, something felt off…

"Wait," I frowned. "Weren't we supposed to have catch-up class this afternoon?"

"Oh, that?" Himiko propped her chin, eyeing me. "The white rat said we're off today. Sundays too. We can do anything we want, as it has to be legal or something like that..."

I whipped my head toward her. "Huh?"

She nodded. "Some schedule tweak. Sundays are free, but…" She paused, shrugging. "Weekdays might get rougher, he said."

I exhaled, not shocked - Nezu's moves are inevitable. At least we've got a Sunday to breathe, and i have wasted half of the day.

Himiko grinned, that sneaky edge in her smile hitting as I clocked us both stark naked under the sheets.

"Nothing big! But there's one thing now…"

Just as we were about to do it again - I swear I will have to have a serious talk with her about this issue between us, my stomach growled, loud and clear.

She sighed, then steadied herself quick. "Let's eat. I'm starving too."

I glanced at her, then our setup. A beat of silence stretched.

"…Yeah, food it is."

Himiko chuckled, stretching lazily before grabbing a shirt off the bedframe. I snagged my clothes, dressing fast before things escalated - though with her, that line's long gone. Her stripping me in my sleep? Not new - I'm out cold when I crash, so she could do whatever and I'd be none the wiser.

...

Post-prep, we shuffled out of the dorm. The sky held a faint dusk glow, a crisp chill in the air. I yawned hard, hand over mouth - slept tons, still wiped. Probably overdid it, so my body's lagging behind.

Himiko strolled beside me, way more chill. Stretching, she asked, "What you wanna eat?"

I mulled it. "Anything. Not picky."

"'Anything' is what?" She shot me a side-eye, smirking. "Don't tell me you're just gonna eat something randomly and call it a meal."

I shrugged. "Not that sloppy. But after that 2,000-word nightmare, I just want food fast and back to sleep."

She rolled her eyes but didn't push. She'd never let me skimp on eating, though - not after last night's drain.

"Ramen then," she decided, grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward a side street. "There's a spot downtown with killer spicy ramen. Let's hit it!"

"Spicy, huh… Fine, ramen it is."

She beamed, tugging me faster.

The city lit up as we left U.A.'s grounds - neon signs flickering, cars humming, crowds buzzing. The chill nipped at me, but Himiko didn't flinch.

I stole a glance at her.

Shockingly, she rocked the U.A girls' uniform - not her usual sailor fit with a sweater. It's sharp normally, but she wore it proper this time. Gray blazer, gold buttons gleaming, squared shoulders and collar crisp, green stripes on cuffs and lapels signaling 1-A or 1-B next term. White shirt tucked neat, red tie popping - classic U.A vibe. The pleated navy skirt hit mid-thigh, shorter on her than most. Black knee-highs hugged her legs, paired with simple brown loafers.

Her twin buns stayed, loose strands adding a wild edge to the polished look. Cute schoolgirl meets untamed rebel - pure Himiko, one I've known forever.

Seeing her now, no one'd peg her as the ex-wanted criminal. Just a regular high schooler, dragging her boyfriend to dinner like any couple in rom-com manga.

A weird calm hit me.

No training grind, no teacher stares - just me, her, and a rare quiet night amid the chaos we've waded through.

…Of course, U.A never lets peace linger.

I felt it stepping into the downtown strip - an eye on us. Subtle, but not hidden at all.

"Present Mic, huh… U.A thinks I'm an idiot or something" I mused, almost laughing. Probably tasked to tail us, but with his loud-ass style - even in civvies - and awkward fumbling, picturing a pro hero stalking two kids was comical.

Wait, if he's watching… did he also catch yesterday's bath-time romp?

No, chill. So what if they know? Nothing earth-shattering…

I flicked a look at Himiko - she didn't seem to care.

"Hey," I muttered. "You know we're being followed, right?"

She slurped the last of a bubble tea she'd snagged roadside, quirking a brow. "Yeah, duh. So? You gonna call him out?"

"Nah. Just checking," I smirked. "Thought you'd be annoyed."

She shrugged. "Why? We're not doing sketchy shit."

She's right. Just dinner and grabbing stuff from my place for the dorm. No escape plots, no red flags - nothing to blow up. Let 'em watch. Though, maybe tone down the PDA next time - don't need that spreading through U.A.'s staff room tomorrow. Pain in the ass.

Himiko finished her tea, tossing the cup in a bin, then yanked me along, chipper as ever. No sign she felt tailed. Me? Still mulling Mic's presence - and whether he'd eavesdropped yesterday.

I sighed, shaking it off.

"Himiko, got a question."

"What's up?" Her eyes sparkled, expecting something juicy.

"How long you think they'll keep this up?"

She tilted her head, then shrugged. "'Til we're safe back at the dorm, maybe. Or 'til they're sure we're not bolting or starting shit. I dunno."

"Hm…" I nodded, glancing back. Mic lingered, fake-browsing stalls, arms full of random buys to blend in - failing hard.

"Feels unfair to you," I said.

"Unfair?" She blinked.

"Yeah. It's mandatory, price for dodging Tartarus, but…" I shrugged. "This trust issue's a bit much, right?"

She giggled, pinching my cheek. "Not that bad. Back then, I didn't have this freedom. Had to Quirk-up just to see you…"

"True…" I paused, then chuckled. She's got way more leash now - by my side, not caged or treated like a bomb, no more hiding. Compared to her old life - or the original timeline - this is a huge upgrade.

"Stop overthinking," she said, lacing her fingers with mine like it was the most natural thing ever. "Ramen, then grab your stuff, then a cozy night in bed. Sounds good, right?"

I smiled. "Yeah, it does."

We kept walking, brushing off the shadow behind us.

The ramen joint she picked was a small corner spot - nothing fancy, but warm and homey. Rich broth aroma hit me, making my mouth water.

A gruff middle-aged guy behind the counter stirred a bubbling pot, greeting us with a raspy, "Welcome," like he knew me. Probably Himiko'd used my face here before - ironic, since she's leading now.

She ordered for us like a pro, surprising the guy, but he just nodded and got to it. Minutes later, two steaming bowls landed in front of us.

I grabbed chopsticks, but before I could dig in, Himiko swooped, snagging a pork slice from my bowl and popping it in her mouth.

"Hey," I scowled. "I haven't even started."

"Wanted a taste first," she pouted, chewing happily. "And yep, it's awesome~!"

I sighed - no point griping. Her grin made it worth it.

I scooped a spoonful of spicy broth, heat spreading down my throat, noodles soft and soaked in bold flavor. Been ages since I ate out proper like this…

Outside, rain poured, streetlights glinting off wet pavement. The city hummed, but here, it felt oddly peaceful.

I snuck a look at Himiko, chowing down beside me, sneaking more pork when I blinked. This moment - plus Mic shivering out there with his impulse buys - didn't feel half bad.

Maybe I should savor these pockets of calm more. Who knows what's coming after tonight?