After everything, I came to this conclusion that Katsuki's story was over for hori too the moment he had that all might victory pose. After that, everything about him is either repetitive stuff we already know or some scenes that add nothing to his own character, but are used to uplift others or push their arcs.
His ending in war was actually very good and consistent. comparing to others, he got a great conclusion to his story and he exactly achieved everything he wanted (absolute victory). meanwhile for the rest of them, it was either meh or just start of a new drama since they didn't achieve their goals. That's probably why Katsuki is too sidelined after war and those characters have the spotlight instead. (which really seems like hori had just realized it was kinda messed up and was trying to fix it for them in 2 or 3 chapters orrr in a more negative view, it was just a push for a last minute romance plot line like so many other Shonens)
Anyway, considering all this, I think it's easy to say that we should probably take the parts we like and hc the rest. Because anyone would know a top student who is the most passionate, competitive, goal driven, hard working prodigy shouldn't have the same ending as characters like kaminari or oijiro lmao. Like if a character that works harder than 90% of the rest of the characters to the point of sacrificing his life multiple times, and on top of that the most talented character, doesn't get any specific rewards or acknowledgement at the end, then what's the point? What type of message is being transferred to young audience? Fuck your hard work and dreams? You'll only be someone if you smile 24/7 and if not, nothing else? Lmao
Also I'm getting this feeling that hori looks like he's afraid to age him up? Like he really has zero plans for his time skip/future and is only using him to uplift other characters or push their arcs? He didn't even change his appearance unlike the other characters😭 and when he already should be a mentor to younger heros/sidekicks, hori is making him still getting scolded by his mentors. It's like he can't see him growing up. or maybe I'm wrong on this one.