It was no secret that Bakugou Katsuki did not work well in groups.

He wasn't ignorant of the fact, and it wasn't something he was proud of either way, but what could he do when he just couldn't help it? Most people were just damn intolerable. He hated people who got in every aspect of his way. He hated people who wouldn't take him seriously. He hated people who piss him off with stupid decisions and stupidity in general. To put it simply, he hated people; he hated dealing with them because it was just plain fucking exhausting. And most of all, he hated people who didn't fucking understand that about him.

It didn't necessarily mean he would isolate himself on his own island; perhaps, that had been his line of thought before coming to U.A. Of course, if given a choice, he'd still prefer to do things alone, but on certain contexts, he knew, he learned it just wouldn't work. Shitty life just worked that way and sometimes it wanted to screw with your head.

Sometimes, he wondered what could've happened to him if Kirishima, Deku, and Four Eyes hadn't saved him in the kidnapping incident. Surely, All Might and the Pro Heroes would've found a way; his safety was their primary concern, after all, but that time, the odds were eerily against them.

He'd probably never admit it, but the shitty trio made him realize that. Apparently, that Half n' Half Ice bastard helped too, along with Ponytail girl.

Secretly, he was thankful too.

Sometimes, he wondered what drove them to do something as reckless as risking expulsion from U.A., which was pretty much everyone's bridge to becoming the heroes they've all dreamed about. He was far from being nice to any of them, or anybody for the matter, so he wasn't really convinced of the whole friendship bullshit reason. If it were another classmate kidnapped, honestly, he wasn't certain if he'd done the same thing. Sure, the opportunity to kick the villain's sorry ass was a tempting offer, but he wouldn't pretend to be ignorant of their limitations. Others may debate on it for all he cares, but he acknowledged and respected the rules. Especially if it would lead to him becoming Number 1 someday.

He realized that the answer was right in front of him—what motivated her to push through with it? Nonetheless he dared not ask. Ponytail girl sat across him, engrossed in reading a book. He opted to continue swishing his pencil, harshly covering the paper with well-defined strokes.

If there was at least something he appreciated with the troublesome, annoying paired setup, Ponytail girl was being completely bearable—talking only when necessary, showing no pretentious bullshit and other crap. Sure, a tinge of annoyance lingered on the fact that she always managed to bag the top spot in terms of academics; somehow that frickin' mouthful name of hers would always be plastered on the top of the list when the results were out. He appreciated, however, that he did not have to needlessly expend energy on her, especially for a project which required this close collaboration.

Now that he thought about it, among the top performing students in their class—meaning potential rivals in his main goal—he found her to be the least irritating. She wasn't as loud and annoyingly righteous as Four Eyes, nor was she needlessly showy and brooding like that shitty Todoroki. Not to mention that nerd Deku, who's the very definition of shitty, illogical, and idiotic. Then again, Ponytail girl didn't seem to be the type who liked to bask herself in the spotlight. He never got the opportunity to interact with her in the past either, so there never was a chance to know her apart from what she showed as second-in-command in class. He hoped, for the sake of their term project and his own, her annoying qualities wouldn't ever surface.

She flickered a page, speaking as she looked towards him. "The properties of your sweat have nitroglycerin-like substances, correct?"

"You did your damn research," he responded back coolly, thickening the lines on his sketch. From a quick glance he noted the brief, small frown that formed on her face before promptly returning to her book.

"Well, there's a section here on nitroglycerin," she added, moving the book towards him so it was right between them on the table, "And while it is a well-known chemical for explosives and weapons, efforts have been made to use it for medical purposes too. With that, I was wondering if—"

"We're making a weapon," he dismissed, not even allowing her to finish. However, judging by her startled silence he knew he completely predicted her line of thought.

She looked like she was about to say something else, but she smiled sheepishly instead. "I...thought as much."

When she said nothing else, he resumed scribbling, feeling her gaze on the piece of paper he was drawing on.

"That's the weapon you had in mind, I assume?"

"Damn right." He gripped the pencil tighter to shade the spherical design only to break its lead. He stared indignantly at the broken tip, ready to break into a fit of profanities when Ponytail girl stood up, reaching out a hand as a sharpener materialized from it.

"Bakugou-san, we're in a library," she reminded, placing it just beside his hand before she gathered the books around her, "I'll be back. I'll look for more references."

He let out a huff, shrugging as she walked towards the shelves. When she was out his line of sight, he took the sharpener, feeling the small, square plastic on his palms.

"Eeeeh, Bakugou buddy! You're so lucky you got Yaomomo! Not only is she super cute and smart, but her Quirk is perfect for projects like these!"

Well, he'd have to agree with the sparky yellow lunk head. Her Quirk was damn versatile, and he'd definitely make the most of it.

"Yaoyorozu's such a sweet and responsible gal, but don't go Full-Bakugou on her, 'ya hear? Just the right manliness, bro!"

He didn't even know why that shit-for-brains Kirishima had to say that. What the fuck did he mean with the Full-Bakugou, anyway?

Why was he recalling what those two shitheads told him over lunch even?

By the time she got back, carrying stacks of books no less than before, he was already done with his design—a fucking masterpiece if he may add. She noticed it too as a curious eyebrow elevated from her face. He handed it to her as soon as she sat down.

"Bakugou-san," her tone was careful, almost hesitant, "what exactly is this?"

He wouldn't exactly call himself optimistic, but he was feeling something close to it already. He sneered, already imagining the high grades they'd receive.

What he didn't notice however was the worried look on her face as she further studied the paper.

"It would be the fuckin' best term project output ever friggin' made."