...but who saves you?

"Okay..."

She really didn't seem too annoyed with him and that had him relax a little more. He'd feel better sitting down, even if it wasn't behind the bench like he was thinking about before. He was grateful she was at least patient, since he knew his anxiety wasn't her problem.

He didn't mind if she was a little slower, because that meant he could shuffle along with her at his own pace.

Kazuho seems to be finding her pace a bit more as well - becoming more comfortable than she was as the awkwardness in the air starts to slowly ease away. It's a bit strange, introducing herself by her real name instead of as Pop... but she's done it plenty of times before, of course, so there's no real reason it should be.

To be honest, she hadn't expected to end up in this sort of a situation, or to be talking to a stranger at all for the time being, but it's not a bad thing. She'd just wanted to help Tamaki, who'd seemed so anxious, to catch his breath for a moment, but it's nice to be able to feel useful, too. ...Back when she went around "patrolling" with Koichi, she never really thought too hard about what she was really doing for other people... it was only when she lost it that Kazuho realized how much she'd been taking for granted.

His head shook at that, tossing green locks in the process. Scarred hands are raised to sway rhythmically back and forth.

❝ I'm just glad I was able to help you out. When you first called me to talk, I was a little worried something bad had happened. But you know I'm always here for you if you need somebody to listen or talk to. I think you're really amazing, that even now, you're still fighting for her. She's lucky to have you in her corner, Ochako. ❞

For her sake, he hopes it all works out. That her bleeding heart, a thing they had in common, could reach her. Perhaps she could be the light Toga so desperately needed in her life and a path forward. While he wasn't sure what the future would hold for either of them or himself, he hoped it was a happy one, even if Himiko wouldn't be able to evade the justice system for long.

❝ You really are incredible, you know that? I've always thought that about you, but you just never seem to stop surprising me. I know no matter what you decide to do, you will be able to accomplish it. ❞

The air felt just a bit lighter now. A weight off both their shoulders as they found somebody to confide these bubbling feelings in. Suffocating emotions that threatened to swallow them whole. A mix of hope and fear. Well, there was no point in spending the rest of their night drowning in the what-ifs. If they do that, this entire conversation would just loop back around all over again. It was best to end it on a positive note rather than mull over it too long.

Emerald eyes closed for a moment, taking in a breath before going to stand up. Reaching out with an outstretched hand in her direction.

Ochako feels her face reddening a little as Izuku calls her incredible, and she's filled with a funny mix of feelings - embarrassment, joy, and gratitude all at once. It's hard for her to see herself as the person who's as amazing as Izuku seems to think she is, but hearing his words, Ochako still feels so happy - like maybe she's doing something right after all. It makes her even more sure that she's making the right decision.

"Ehehehe... thank you. You're the same, you know?" she replies. Maybe a year ago, she might've been too flustered to respond properly - and even now, she's obviously bashful, but... she wants to be able to express her feelings properly too.

"I mean! You're always fighting so hard, no matter how hard it gets... and it makes me want to try harder, too. I've learned a lot just from watching you..." And oh, gosh - now Ochako is getting embarrassed. Did she say too much? Well, it's probably fine, since she's just responding to Izuku's words, but still!

"Ah- yeah! That sounds great - I'm hungry already!" Ochako declares, pumping a fist in the air enthusiastically as well. In spite of her initial fears, this whole conversation ended up making her feel lighter after all... it's a different kind of weightlessness to the kind she's so used to, of course, but it fills her with a buzz of energy all the same.