The hike started, and it turned out to be more of a slightly uphill walk. This disappointed some of the group and relieved the rest. Most of them were still drained from the pool day and were only keeping pace because of the group's energy. The narrow path forced everyone into pairs again, the line stretching out unevenly as they shuffled forward.

  The sun kept dipping lower as they climbed, staining the treetops orange before sinking behind the mountain. They wove through bushes and crooked tree trunks, the air cooling with each step upward. Whispers drifted here and there, but mostly it was the mountain filling the emptiness with insects, rustling leaves, and the crunch of boots on gravel.

  "Are we there yet??" Mina groaned jokingly from the middle of the line, throwing her arms up dramatically.

  Kaminari behind her lifted the map he bought from the rest stop shop. "Well we should be half way there according to this." His voice didn’t sound confident at all.

  Bakugo, walking beside him, growled and snatched the map. "It's upside down you moron!" He flipped it upright and shoved it back toward Kaminari.

  Kaminari’s voice cracked slightly. "But... we would still be half way..." He raised his hands defensively, expecting an explosion.

  Bakugo’s yell could probably be heard back at the start of the trail.

  Near the front of the line, Todoroki spoke without looking up from the path. "Dark Shadow becomes harder to control in the dark right?" He seemed to be trying to make conversation with Tokoyami, who walked beside him with steady, silent steps.

  Tokoyami looked at him for a few long seconds before replying. "Indeed, though that is only if I let it out."

  A brief silence followed before Todoroki lifted his left hand, inspecting his own palm. "I can use my fire if it gets out of control." A small flame flickered to life, lighting his face in warm gold before vanishing.

  Tokoyami looked up at him and smiled softly. "Very well then."

  A few minutes later, the group neared the end of their hike when, at the back of the line, Uraraka’s footing suddenly slipped. She fell forward onto her knees without a sound. The only one who noticed was Robinn, walking beside her. She stopped immediately and crouched down, offering her hand. "You good?"

  Uraraka looked up and smiled. "I'm fine, just scraped my knee that's all." She took Robinn’s hand.

  "Sure you can walk?" Robinn said as she pulled her up. She didn’t sound worried, but there was a softer edge than usual.

  "Yeah I'm fine."

  They looked ahead and saw that the rest of the group had already vanished around a thick corner of bushes. Uraraka took a few steps forward, then faltered as her ankle suddenly throbbed sharply.

  Robinn caught her shoulder to steady her. "You're not fine." She frowned slightly.

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  "I... It's okay I can do this." Uraraka tried stepping forward again, but Robinn stepped in front of her and turned around, presenting her back.

  "C'mon get on, it's better if we don't fall behind." She patted her shoulder and crouched a bit.

  Uraraka hesitated, then gave in and climbed onto Robinn’s back, looping her arms around her neck.

  Robinn stood smoothly and started forward, hands securely gripping Uraraka’s shins.

  "Thanks for this." Uraraka said as she looked to the trees. They were thinning quickly, the skyline widening. From Robinn’s back, the view stretched even farther.

  "Don't mention it." Robinn smiled and picked up her pace.

  Then Uraraka felt a cold, slimy hand on her ankle. Robinn’s hand. She jerked in surprise. Robinn noticed and slowed slightly. "Oh sorry about not warning you, I shifted my hand into ice, and my skin into aloe vera, it should help."

  "Oh... that's what that was." Uraraka said sheepishly. The pain already dulled a bit. Then, with a hint of determination, she added, "Hey I could use my quirk on myself so that you don't have to carry me."

  Robinn shook her head, her long ponytail flicking back and lightly smacking Uraraka in the face. "No, that would just make you feel sick right?" She paused. "Besides, I can carry you quite easily."

  Uraraka nodded slowly and slumped against her back as they continued.

  Before long they found Tsuyu, who had already started backtracking to look for them. Her silhouette appeared between two dark pine trunks, and she let out a small breath of relief when she spotted them. The tension in her shoulders eased, though her eyes stayed doubtful as Robinn explained.

  "Uraraka slipped and hurt her ankle." Robinn said, adjusting her grip.

  Tsuyu stepped closer, examining Uraraka with quick, efficient movements. "Are you okay?" she asked.

  "I'm fine," Uraraka answered, though weakly enough that Tsuyu’s brow pinched. Still, she nodded and took the lead.

  They walked in silence for a while, the path widening and leveling as the forest thinned into scattered shrubs. The trees eventually fell away entirely, leaving the sky clear and vast above them. Night had fully settled in, crisp and still, and the air carried that high-altitude quiet that made every sound sharper. Below them the city stretched in glittering constellations, every window and streetlamp shimmering like spilled stars.

  They caught up to the group just as everyone reached the peak. Class 1-A had already started spreading out, dropping bags, pointing at the view, whispering excitedly.

  Robinn lowered herself and gently set Uraraka down on a patch of smooth dirt. Uraraka winced but stayed composed.

  Robinn stood and glanced around. "Hey Yaoyorozu! I might need your help over here."

  Momo, who had been speaking with Jirou, turned toward them immediately. Concern replaced her relaxed expression as she hurried over.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked as she knelt to examine Uraraka’s ankle.

  "I'm pretty sure she sprained it." Robinn stepped back to give her space.

  Momo frowned in concentration as she inspected the ankle. Within moments a compression wrap formed in her hand, and she secured it gently but firmly around the injury. Uraraka sighed in relief, though it was obvious she would likely need help on the way back down.

  Robinn sat next to her as Momo returned to the others. The noise of the class faded into a distant hum behind them, softened by the open air.

  A cold breeze swept past, lifting the loose strands of their hair. Uraraka’s brushed lightly against Robinn’s shoulder before drifting away again. Both girls leaned forward almost unconsciously, the chilly wind pushing them just a little closer for warmth they didn’t acknowledge out loud.

  The sky above was clear and stretching, stars scattered thin but bright against the dark. For a moment, it felt like the world had pressed pause on everything except the two of them sitting shoulder to shoulder at the mountain’s edge.

  Robinn’s expression stayed calm, unreadable in the low light, but her posture softened. She wasn’t leaning away. If anything, she seemed anchored there, grounded by the presence beside her.

  "Hey I've been meaning to ask you something." Robinn said quietly, eyes fixed on the horizon.