THE TRUSTY TRIOS
why so lonely - wonder girls

When was the last time Aiko felt relaxed? If Aiko could drink alcohol, she was sure that she downed at least five bottles to get through the whole week because she's been through a lot of shit. Now, her fists were quivering since her nervousness was running through her veins.

She had just ended the meeting with Principal Nezu and Aizawa which might have eaten some time into her morning homeroom period. Aizawa had dragged and forced her to return back to her class because she had skipped a handful of lessons and she would fail her senior year if she didn't catch up soon enough (He also mentioned the big three constantly asking him if she was well enough to visit).

Now, she was facing her classroom door and could hear Midnight discussing the administration stuff with her classmates. Aiko clenched and unclenched her fists. Her wings were spazzing once in a while too.

I have to face the music. I can't lie to my friends anymore. I can't hide anymore. I should be proud of my wings.

Aiko gave a timid knock, hoping it was loud enough for her teacher to hear. Midnight's voice faded before her footsteps drew closer to the door. For some reason, Aiko almost ran away on instinct but Midnight had opened the door and caught her arm before she could leave.

"Ah! Natsume, very nice of you to finally join us! Though I don't like your tardiness after you've recovered," Midnight spoke out loud while leading Aiko to the front of the classroom.

Aiko pouted, her wings drooping behind. She could hear a few murmurs from her classmates as she apologized to her teacher.

"Sorry, Midnight-sensei,"

"Well? Don't you wanna tell your friends something?" Her teacher nudged. Aiko glared slightly at her before taking a deep breath. She could see some of her classmates with curious gazes but more importantly, her trio of friends giving worried glances.

"I know, it's weird. I freaking grew wings. No, it's not a costume. Yes, it works I think? It's a long story please don't ask me anything because I don't know still," She said out loud but mumbled the latter. There was silence before a voice cracked the tension.

"Woah Natsume, you're like a Hawks rip-off! Hahaha! Chanel versus Walmart," Her male classmate pointed out before slamming the table and laughing. Then, the whole class followed suit, laughing at his joke.

"What did you say, you asshole?! I'm no one's rip-off! Instead, let me fucking rip off your head!" Aiko shouted back before storming to his desk. But she was held back by her teacher with a disapproving head shake.

"Enough, Ito! I'll whip you if you continue to be rude to your classmate. Natsume, you can head back to your seat." The teacher commanded. Aiko stuck her tongue when passing by Ito, while he just smirked at her childish antics.

The girl sat in her assigned seat before looking for the trio once again. In contrast to the worried glances before, they had a relieved look on their faces, causing Aiko to smile a little. Aiko knew she could trust her trio of friends since they were there from the beginning she transferred but she wandered about the negative thoughts that had bloomed in her head during the rough time she had a few days ago.

Tamaki, Mirio, and Hado would never judge me in an instant. They're understanding and kind. Why did I ever doubt them in the first place?

She shook her head before paying attention to her class. In the third year, the UA's curriculum made it so that the students will study for half of their graduating year and the other half to be in hero internship for better work integration. Aiko sighed. Time had flown by and before she knew it, she was already close to graduating.

It seemed like yesterday when she had first met Aizawl and her friends.

"...and don't forget, train for the upcoming Sports Festival! It's your last event in this school to show off to the world what you are capable of and your only chance to secure a good resume and portfolio for your future work! Don't slack off or I'll punish you. I'm talking to you, Aiko," Midnight pointed her finger before swaying her hips out the door. The bell for lunch rang a few seconds later and the sound of chair screeching and student chatters began.

Aiko sighed before slamming her head on the table, her wings followed by cocooning her in darkness.

My mind blanked out the whole three lessons. I've never done that before...I kept thinking of Mom and Ryo. I'm so gonna fail this semester.

"Wow, Aiko. You're already slacking off I see~" Hado said before poking the girl's head. Aiko barely gave any reaction but a moan of tiredness.

"Wait. Isn't this your first sports festival, Aiko? You should be excited! You have to show everyone your cool quirk and capture their attention!" Mirio spoke, bringing his fists up in excitement.

"Oh yea...Aiko transferred halfway in the second year so she didn't get to participate in the first and second Sports Festival..." mumbled Tamaki as he looked around.

The trio could hear a muffling sound from the girl but decided to ignore it, as they could hardly understand her.

"I know we talked about the big elephant in the room - or say wings - but they're so pretty! Can I touch them?"

Hado's eyes shimmered and the other three could see stars within them. Hado had always been a curious cat so it didn't faze Aiko that she proposed the question.

"I guess? I don't think anyone's touched them before...someone wanted to preen them for me but I totally forgot to remind them," Aiko said out loud. The trio was confused.

"Preen?" Mirio asked. Aiko shrugged her head as she forgot the full explanation from Hawks's secretary. When Hado neared the slouching girl, her wings opened slightly as if welcoming the bluenette into her space. Her fingers made contact with the soft white feathers and Aiko's whole body shivered before grabbing Hado's hands to stop her from more.

"I think they're not meant to be touched..I feel funny and weird," Aiko shook her body before hugging herself as comfort. Hado giggled before shooting more questions.

"Where did you get your new uniform too?! I didn't know UA did uniforms for wings," The boys glanced at the back of her blazer where two holes were situated to fit the wings in.

"Oh. Principal Nezu gave it to me after I met him this morning. I don't know how it works but the technology is great. When the fabric detects my wings as I wear them, the material around it will disappear before reappearing once I've worn it. Something to do with nanotechnology?" Aiko explained. The trio awed in excitement before touching her uniform.

As Aiko tried to swat their hands away, her thoughts pulled her back to the morning meeting. The disturbing past of her wings had been on her mind since it was explained to her and she couldn't place it aside. The doubtful feeling she had, was already seeded inside her and she will never know when it will grow in the future.

"Aiko..do you not trust us?" Tamaki asked causing the group to still.

"Huh? Of course I do! You guys are my closest friends," She replied while turning to him. She could see doubt wavering in his pupils.

"If you do, why didn't you just tell us that you had wings instead of just a fever? We were all worried for you," he responded. Aiko glanced around to see Mirio fidgeting and Hado with a pout.

"I..I don't know..I'm sorry I lied to you guys but..I was just scared of what's gonna happen if I told you. What if you guys left me..or hated me?" She asked, her mind echoed the nicknames her mother had called her.

"We would never hate you, Aiko! I would never!" Hado raised her voice in determination and slammed her hands on the girl's table.

"Yeah, Aiko. The three of us would never leave you, no matter what. You can always trust us. Plus, wings are a norm here so why are there even people hating you for it?" Mirio continued. Tamaki simply nodded.

Aiko could feel her eyes welling up.

"Aiko?! Why are you crying? Stop crying or I'm gonna cry!" Hado panicked, fanning her face. Aiko smiled before laughing but she couldn't stop her tears from forming.

Mirio patted the two girls in comfort as Tamaki rubbed Aiko's shoulder.

"I'm just really happy that you guys are okay with me..." Aiko mumbled while wiping her tears. Her wings were cocooning her once again. The four students smiled at each other before Hado wailed causing the other three to panic.

— ❦ —

The group of four were walking into one of the UA's gym. School had ended for them earlier and they decided that they could use the time to train for the upcoming festival. Once they had changed, they walked together to the entrance of the gym.

"Alright! Let's do this! I'm going to be placed first in the festival this year!" Aiko shouted, bringing her hands into the air. Her feathers at the back followed suit, displaying her wings at the fullest span. Aiko was already used to her wings and assumed that it would follow her emotions from past experiences; so she lets it be. As long as it didn't interfere with her daily activities, she was fine with it.

"First place?! No can do, Aiko. That's my throne so you better beat me when you want that podium!" Mirio challenged beside her, pointing to his buff chest as he came up to her.

"It's on, Tin Tin boy!" Aiko stared back with the same competitive look on her face. The two had stared at each other with a smirk while Hado and Tamaki giggled at the duo.

"Let's go then, one v one. You and me. Now."

"I'm not scared, oogly eyes. I can beat your ass in a heartbeat," Aiko retaliated, crossing her arms.

"Oogly eyes?! Last time we fought, I won the round, b-big bird!"

"Big bird?! Yeah my bird is totally bigger than you-"

"G-guys, s-shouldn't we warm up first?" Tamaki prompted as he stood between the two students. He knew how Mirio wouldn't back down from Aiko's enthusiasm and Aiko was too impulsive. Plus, he doesn't want to find out the outcome of his two friends fighting.

Again.

"Right! 50 laps around the gym!" Hado cheered before running to her right towards the perimeter.

"Alright!" Mirio shouted, running behind Hado followed by Tamaki. Aiko groaned before catching up to the group.

"How are 50 laps gonna help us, Hado? Combat is a good warm-up!" Aiko argued. Cardio was not Aiko's strength and she hated running.

"Just see! I bet there's like an obstacle course in this year's Sports Festival,"

"She gossiped with Midnight again, didn't she," Aiko questioned Tamaki who was at her pace while Mirio and Hado were in front of them. Tamaki nodded in guilt. The girl huffed out a laugh before focusing on her exercise.

— ❦ —

After a crucial warm-up that consisted of laps, sit-ups, push-ups, Russian twists and even stretching in weird positions, they were finally preparing for combat training. Hado and Mirio were having a water break by their bags as Tamaki glanced at the winged girl near him who was frowning at the ground.

"What's wrong, Natsume?" He walked up to her. The girl shook her head before sighing.

"My overall speed dropped...and I think it's because of my wings. When I ran, it's kinda heavy and my shoulders are hurting a lot," she stated. Tamaki let out a small 'oh' before brainstorming with her.

"Can't you use your wings? They would be great while fighting," He asked. Once again, the grey-haired girl shook her head.

"As much as I want to, I can't. I mean I have someone to teach me but we haven't scheduled anything...these wings might bring me down during the Sports Festival," she thought out loud.

Right..Hawks was supposed to teach me but he must've been busy because I didn't get any texts from him. It seems too last minute to ask for his help also...

"I don't think so, Natsume. In fact, I think those wings might give you an advantage. There's no one in the student body of UA that has wings which makes you more noticeable. Not to mention, the rising hero #3, Hawks, gives wings quirk a good reputation. As long as you show your quirk and pretend like you know how to use your wings, hero agencies will be recruiting you in no time," Tamaki explained. Aiko went wide-eyed.

That was the first time Tamaki had talked a lot to me! With no stutters!

"Wow, thanks a lot Tamaki! You're really perceptive on stuff! Are you excited about the festival too?" Aiko asked. She was hoping to drag the conversation to know more about Tamaki. From what she knew, Tamaki was quiet and would always give great input or opinion in a matter. During that time, Aiko always finds Tamaki charming because he knew what to say at the right time.

"A-ah well not really...there's a-a lot of people watching and I-..it's scary," He stuttered and Akko could see his shoulder shiver.

The grey-haired girl laughed aloud. "You can do this, Tamaki! You're strong! I'm rooting for you. If you ever feel scared, just look at me! You did say I was noticeable with my wings. If anything happens, I'll capture the attention of the audience so you won't get stage fright,"

Tamaki saw Aiko smiling brightly before placing her hands on her hips. His whole face and ears went red as he mumbled incoherent words and trembled on the spot while looking at the floor.

"Huh? Tamaki? Are you okay?!" Aiko panicked as her eyes examined his face. It was completely flushed and his eyes were rolled back.

He's dead!

"Mirio, help! I think Tamaki's dead!" Aiko shouted. She shook the poor boy whose body had fallen limp in her arms. Mirio jogged to the pair before assessing the situation.

"Calm down Aiko, Tamaki just fainted," he spoke while taking Tamaki and lying him on the ground. His face was still red and his eyes were slightly closed.

How is Mirio so calm?!

"I swear I didn't do anything!" Aiko raised her hands and wings in surrender.

"Natsume Aiko, you are guilty of murder. You will be sentenced to life imprisonment!" Shouted Hado from behind with a string of giggles. This followed by two claps to imitate a judge hammering a court order.

"What?!" 

Mirio tapped Tamaki's face slightly before chuckling. "It's okay Natsume. Whenever Tamaki gets too shy or embarrassed, he just panicky and faints. It's nothing too serious about it. What were you guys talking about anyway?"

Hado returned to the gang as Natsume updated him. "By the way, do you guys know who to invite for the festival?" Hado asked once the two went quiet.

"Invite?" Natsume asked, moving her attention to the blue-haired girl.

Hado held up two fingers before explaining her question,"Yeah since we're the graduating year, the school allows our batch to invite a maximum of two people to the festival under our names. I was thinking of inviting my parents but my cousin wanted to come to,"

"I'm only inviting my dad. He's super excited to see and support me. I heard he's making a banner for me too," stated Mirio as he smiled cheerfully.

"What about you, Aiko? Are Ryo and your mom coming down?" Mirio asked. Aiko glanced downwards. Mirio was close to Ryo and whenever the gang was over her house, Ryo treated Mirio and Tamaki as his precious older brothers.

They don't know what happened to my family...I can't lie to them but I also can't paint my family a bad name...

"Oh I don't know...they're busy you know? School and work..." she trailed off. The two cheerful people were oblivious to Aiko's answer and Aiko was slightly glad that Tamaki wasn't conscious at the moment or he would have caught her lie in an instant.

"Well, you gotta invite someone. It would be a waste if those seats under your name were empty," Mirio said. Hado nodded before adding on, "Yeah! I heard the seats are also super expensive and you actually get to take free pictures at the photo booth with the ones you invite as a memory,"

The feathered girl gave a nervous giggle as sweat started to drop.

Who else am I supposed to invite? The only people I know are Aizawl sensei but he'll be busy with teacher stuff. Am I that anti-social? Oh my god.

After a few minutes and Tamaki had awoken from his quick coma of embarrassment, the three changed into their hero costume to train with each other. Meanwhile, Aiko stared at her phone contacts, leaning beside the gym doors.

I mean I don't have to invite anyone...but I want a picture too! I can take a selfie by myself? Never mind, that was the saddest thing I've ever said.

hawks
mom
sleeping beauty
tamaki best boy
tin tin
wannabe e girl

The feathered girl kept scrolling but the same six names stayed the same. She bit her lip in contemplation.

Should I invite Hawks and his secretary? Is that weird? He's probably busy and I don't want to be a hindrance. I mean we barely know each other...ahh I'm wrecking my brain for something trivial like this. I can't believe it.

"I shouldn't invite him...if he's seen in the festival, there's probably gonna be scandalous rumors and I can't be bothered with that," Aiko muttered, her eyes staring at his contact name. The longer she stared, the more memories of the winged hero seeped into her mind. How they first met at the clothing shop. How he tried to stop her from rushing to her teacher. When he took her in from the rain and listened to her story from the phone call. Then he accompanied her to her teacher's apartment.

What were they? Friends? Acquaintances? Colleagues? It can't be that acquaintances share phone numbers..Pro Heroes wouldn't do that. The girl scratched her head in annoyance.

"Invite who?" A voice appeared causing Aiko to squeal and drop her phone on the gym floor. Her head whipped to see Hado by her left with her head leaning to see her phone screen before she dropped it.

"N-No one! I'm gonna get changed. I'll be out in a minute," Aiko quickly replied before taking her phone and shoving it in her bag on the gym floor, next to the other's bags as well. The winged girl left as fast as she could to hide her face.

That was too close!!! I didn't even hear her coming. I shouldn't think about it and just focus on myself. I'll send the invite to mom and see if she accepts it...if not, I'll just have no one under my name. No big deal, it's just a school event.

Hado tilted her head in confusion from the weird reaction she had gotten from Aiko. She had never seen her close friend that secretive - besides the wings. She glanced back at the direction the feathered girl had left before smiling slightly and digging her arm into Aiko's bag to grab her mobile device.

— ❦ —

I'm so so sorry for the late update! Uni applications are a bitch and I have so much work piled on me! IT LOOKS LIKE A FILLER CHAPTER BUT REALLY IT'S TO SHOW HER BOND WITH THE TRIO DON'T BASH ME

Edited:....I am never writing when I'm sleeping there were so many grammatical and spelling errors that I wanted to slap myself