There's nothing much I could say.
Thank you for waiting, maybe?
Enjoy~
The blonde stared blankly at the blackboard. Aizawa had dismiss the class 5 minutes ago and disappeared somewhere along with his bright yellow sleeping bag. The board was left untouched for those who haven't had the chance to jot down the materials to their notes. But Bakugou wasn't one of them, obviously. He pays close attention to classes and doesn't lose focus for any unrelated matter. The thing that held him in his position unmoving was what came after the classes.
"Bakugou! Let's go home!"
The said teen turned. A wide grin decorated with a set of natural pointy teeth welcomed him. He said nothing in return before swiftly packing his stuff and walked away. Seeing that, Kirishima Eijirou didn't falter even for a second. He immediately followed, sticking close to the former and continued talking.
"Man, I'm hungry. How about you?"
Bakugou ignored him, but the redhead didn't give up.
"Oh, didn't you say you want to go to the department store the other day? Let's go! We can stop at the ramen shop on the way too."
It went on even after they left the classroom, leaving some of their classmates watching perplexed. Among them, a pink-haired girl scooted over to where Kaminari and Sero were and whispered, not so subtly, to them.
"Hey, what's with those two? I thought you told me they might be going out already?"
Sero sighed and answered. "Beats me. I thought they're just trying to be low-key but there are really no sign of it."
"Isn't this no different with the usual them?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"What is it, guys? Are we talking about Kirishima-kun and Bakugou-kun here?!" Hagakure joined in upon seeing them crowding up.
"Shhh, not so loud, Tooru-chan!"
The invisible girl seemed to be covering her mouth right away with both hands.
"You're not exactly being quiet either though." Said Sero to Ashido. "Well, I don't really get it, but all we gotta do is just wait for Kirishima to tell us himself. Right, Kaminari?" He elbowed the boy next to him, only to find him neither listening nor responding.
"Kaminari?"
"Huh, what?"
"What's wrong, dude?"
Kaminari looked at him, spacing out for a moment then answered with a snicker. "What? I should ask you that instead. What could be wrong with me?"
"Well, you—"
Sero wasn't even given the chance to finish his sentence when Kaminari stood up from his seat and uttered, "Sorry, guys, I have something to do. I'm gonna head off first!" before dashing out of the classroom without looking back.
"There he goes."
"Hasn't he been out of it lately?" Ashido commented, her black eyes following Kaminari's figure disappearing behind the walls.
"You think so too?" Sero agreed. "And worse, he wouldn't admit it."
Ashido then sighed, rather dramatically. "They boys are weird today. What should I do, Tooru-chan~?"
"Don't mind, don't mind! Let's just leave them alone and get some pancakes at the café later!"
"Great idea! Let's just leave the weirdos alone, shall we?"
"Hey, I'm still here, you know." The only male left in the group added. The girls laughed and they carried on chattering around for a little more. Sero stole a glance at the seat diagonal to his right, where Kaminari was on, in the middle of the conversation. He thought to himself. "That idiot."
A few days ago, Bakugou Katsuki was left dumbfounded on his way back to the dormitories after the training session. It was not often someone could render him speechless and unable to find a word to retort like that (Given the usual him, he would at least manage some "Shut up!" or "Go die!"). On top of that, he was stupidly standing still on the same spot after the other person had left. The only thing currently swirling in his mind was what did he just hear?
One redhead, the one he knows very well said something about 'love'. Kirishima. Yes, he was Kirishima. Does Kirishima like someone? Bakugou knew about that already. He'd heard about it first from Ashido Mina some time ago before the person himself admitted it too afterwards. But he'd never heard of who the opponent is. Bakugou would rather not know, actually. Because like it or not, he would probably start comparing himself to the other. Because he is in love with Kirishima Eijirou.
Kirishima doesn't know, of course. He couldn't tell him and he wouldn't. So what did Kirishima talk to him about 'love'? Did Kirishima tell him the identity of the person he likes? Who was it again? What kind of person she is?
"I love you, Bakugou!"
All of a sudden, Bakugou felt the heat rushing up to his face. Kirishima's flustered face, his sweating hands, his red irises darting everywhere else but at Bakugou, the slightly trembling voice, relentless breathing, and so on. They were all too real. They were too real to be Bakugou's dream or imagination.
Kirishima Eijirou just confessed his love towards Bakugou seconds ago. How could he believe that? That the person he has been in love with loves him back, right from the start. Right from that first kiss. Probably even before.
"Ehh?"
"Just kidding."
"I'm broke, you know. Stop that~!"
"Oh, should I treat you instead~?"
The blond was startled when he heard two familiar voices approaching from behind. He quickly moved his feet and made his way to the dorm like he had originally planned. He wasn't in the mood to deal with the loud Dunce-face at the moment in the case he saw him and started pestering Bakugou. Another reason to it was, he couldn't go around showing others himself in the state of a blushing mess.
It would be a lie if he said he wasn't in the slightest happy. He wanted to laugh at himself when he recalled Kirishima's words. The redhead is in love with him but he couldn't admit it in fear of losing Bakugou. Unmanly, he said? He certainly was, but Bakugou wouldn't blame him, for they were exactly the same at that aspect.
It was a whole big ass misunderstanding all along. How much of an idiot he and Kirishima could be? As much as holding one-sided feelings for each other without knowing for months? How are they any different with Todoroki and Deku, the well-known thick-headed couple who still hadn't got their feelings across?
Right at the moment the thought of Midoriya Izuku crossed his mind, Bakugou saw the real person a few meters ahead and he cursed internally. The nerd really had an incredibly horrible timing, didn't he? But then the next thing he saw surprised him a little. All Might in his skinny form was standing not far from the green-haired boy, most likely giving advices or the sort about Midoriya's new moves.
Bakugou stopped his track. He suddenly felt his heart sunk. His expression faded away from his face as he turned around and walked inside 1-A's Heights Alliance. He went straight to the elevator and didn't even bat an eye or snapped when Todoroki greeted him as they passed each other. When he reached the 4th floor, he only glimpsed at the name plate with "Kirishima" written on it before moving on and entered his own room.
As soon as the door was closed, he broke down. He sat on the floor, leaning against the door. It happened again. Ever since the unforgettable night of the Kamino incident, Bakugou could hardly had any peace of mind whenever he's alone. All the scene from the moment All Might barged in to the villain's headquarter to save him, the appearance of the villain's Boss, Kirishima and the others coming for him, the last fight, and then All Might's weakened state replayed in his head again.
He was weak. He was kidnapped because of his own fault and that's why everything that followed happened. That's why All Might, the figure he admires and looks up to had to retire. Despite all that, he was safe, unscathed and unharmed. The only reason there is to allow him coming back in one piece is that he had to get stronger, much more than he is right now. How could he forget? How could he get distracted from that? He only had one thing to do by the moment: focus on the provisional license exam.
Bakugou gazed at his palm and squeezed it tight, murmuring to himself. "I have no time for other stuff…"
"Bakugou, look!" The redhead tugged at his shirt, pointing toward a movie banner with another hand. "I've been waiting for that one to air! Let's go watch it once the license exam is done!"
"Who the hell is going with you?" Bakugou shook off Kirishima's hand and continued walking.
Again, he didn't falter and kept up his steps with Bakugou."C'mon, you said you're interested too before."
"Not with you. Are you fucking listening?"
"It's okay. I'll buy the ticket. Which seat do you prefer?"
"In the middle, of course! What kind of retard choose front seat even?!"
"Middle, yeah? Got it!"
"Huh? Wait, I didn't agree to that!"
The person himself doesn't seem to notice, but Kirishima Eijirou is a dangerous man. On top of being inarguably optimistic, he has the nerve to get anything done when he's motivated and confident. Also, he has the patience of a saint if Bakugou were to make comparison. If not, he wouldn't be able to succeed every time he persistently invited the blond anywhere, completely ignoring the other's refusal. To make it worse, he always has a way to make Bakugou go along with it naturally, or not (there are times when provocation and such are needed).
Kirishima laughed away while calming Bakugou down. Look at that carefree smile, Bakugou thought. He seriously wondered how this person before him could be that nonchalant.
Kirishima confessed to Bakugou and he made it clear that he demanded an answer. Bakugou on the other hand, was nowhere near ready to give him one, hence why he have no idea how to face the redhead. But unknowingly to him, Kirishima waited on his door the next morning like usual, greeted him, and walked to the school with him, carrying on their usual daily conversations. Almost nothing had changed. And that's what worried Bakugou the most.
Now that he knew their feelings are mutual, Bakugou became weirdly conscious of Kirishima. He began to see every little thing that didn't matter before reflecting Kirishima's overflowing love for him. It was glaringly obvious, in the eyes of any spectator. Just like what he often made fun of Todoroki and Deku. Now it happened to him. Yet he still wouldn't admit karma being a bitch to him on that.
Even so, Kirishima didn't rush him to answer to his confession. Nor did he bring up anything about it. It was as though he was telling Bakugou he had no doubt. He was certain Bakugou has the same feelings as him. He doesn't mind how long Bakugou take. He could wait, because Bakugou would surely give him an answer.
However, Bakugou can't promise him that.
"I'm looking forward to the day." Kirishima flashed him a smile, so sweet and affectionate it could melt one's heart.
"Tch." The most honest respond he could afford. "Do as you like."
"Yeah, I will!"
Bakugou turned away to hide the thin line on his lips that curled into a smile as well, before the disaster that came next wiped it off his face completely.
"Ei-chan!"
Bakugou didn't react at first since he recognized neither the name-calling nor the voice of the callers. But he eventually spun his head around when he heard Kirishima exclaiming.
"Hey, bro, it's been a while!"
"Yeah, it has! Are you really Ei-chan? You look so different! That your high school debut?"
"Stop that!"
Laughter and some fist bumping filled in the gaps between their exchanges. Bakugou looked at the dark-haired boy around their age in uniform different from theirs. It was not hard to guess that he must be Kirishima's friend back in middle school. They were having a blast in their little reunion, talking about the old days and how their respective high school lives were like.
"Anyway, is that your friend, Ei-chan?" the boy finally pointed at Bakugou after forgetting their surroundings in the heat of the moment.
The redhead's eye followed his finger and beamed. "Oh, he's Bakugou!"
"Eh, the one who won at sport festival?"
Bakugou scowled at the mention of the event that granted him his unwanted victory. "Huh?!"
He flinched and turned back to Kirishima in an instant, whispering carefully. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
"Haha, no. He's got an odd temper, but he's a good guy though!"
"For real?" He took a look at Bakugou once more before giving up. "Ei-chan, you really can befriend anyone, huh? That's amazing, I tell you."
"Friend, huh?" Kirishima said in a low voice.
"Hmm, what?"
"Nah, it's nothing. By the way, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, that's right." A grin grew on his face. "Actually I'm waiting for my girlfriend~!"
"Whoa, you have one already?"
Now he sheepishly laughed. "Yes, yes. And man, it wasn't easy! I'm just really glad she finally accepts me."
Bakugou stood a few steps away, giving them some spaces and waited. But he was growing more and more impatient with every second passing. How long was Kirishima going to take chattering with this extra guy. He had been listening, not on purpose, and waiting for them to say the parting words but it still didn't come.
"Ah, there she is! Wait, Ei-chan, I'll introduce you guys."
Great, now the conversation would prolong again.
"Shiratori, here!"
Bakugou didn't turn around. He didn't dare to. He had heard of the name before. He hopelessly wished he was wrong, that it couldn't be the person was thinking of. It must be a coincidence. But somewhere in his heart, he knew that he might be right after all.
"I'm sorry for being late!"
He was almost sure now.
"No sweats! I just arrived too! By the way, this is my friend, Kirishima. Kirishima, this is Shiratori. And that's..."
Kirishima took the initiative to introduce Bakugou himself. "Ah, that's my frie—"
"Eh? Ba-Bakugou-kun..?"
All eyes turned to Shiratori at once, including the said blond. The moment his red eyes locked with the girl's amber ones, both of them froze. Shiratori's face turned as pale as her flowing long, white hair. "W-Why… why are you here…?"
The girl standing less than 3 meters away from Bakugou was undoubtedly someone he knows. One he shouldn't have forgotten. Shiratori was the girl who was an inch away from being in a relationship with him. The girl he pushed away. The girl he had hurt in the past.
And at that, Bakugou realized. Him being in a relationship is a mistake he shouldn't ever commit.
"Eh, do you know each other?" said the dark-haired boy.
"What's wrong, Bakugou?" concern was evident in Kirishima's voice. He seemed to have sense something abnormal in the air between the two, but Bakugou's mind was too occupied at the moment to pay him any.
The blond stared at the girl, his brows furrowed. He scrunched his face, searching for the voice in his throat and the words on his mouth. He couldn't find any. Then as if telling him it's useless for him to even try, Shiratori turned to her boyfriend.
"I'm not feeling so well. Sorry, but I'll leave first."
"What? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine." She forced an energetic smile, but her voice still wavered.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, of course!"
"Should I take you home?"
"No! It's… I'm fine, really." She started to break and when her eyes accidentally met Bakugou's once again, she lost it. "See you tomorrow." She blurted inaudibly and ran off to the opposite direction in a flash.
"Shiratori?!" he freaked out and tagged along almost immediately. "Sorry, Ei-chan, I'll contact you later!"
Kirishima could only wave in response after the two of them was gone. He turned around and was just about to ask Bakugou what just occurred when the other ran away as well.
"I'm going back."
"Huh, what?"
The blond didn't even wait for him and walked away, head hanging low.
"Where are you going, man?" Kirishima asked, following closely behind.
"Back to the dorm."
"Aren't we going shopping?"
"Go by yourself."
"What? Why do you suddenly change your mind?"
This time, Bakugou didn't answer. He kept walking, increasing his speed little by little.
"Hey, are you listening?"
Faster, and faster, until he started dashing. Kirishima couldn't bear not to pace up as well and grabbed Bakugou's hand, stopping him from going any further.
"Don't run away!"
Both of them fell into silence, catching their breath for a short while. Bakugou didn't try to break free, but was still unwilling to turn around. The redhead ran out his patience and opened his mouth, before closing it again when he heard the other mumbling.
"…dn't change…"
"Huh?"
"It didn't change, bastard!" He slapped away Kirishima's hand. Had he turned around, he still wouldn't look at Kirishima in the eyes. "Nothing has ever changed from the start. My feelings… anything between you and me… even me, myself. Fucking nothing." Even the fact that I'm just a weakling. "From back then too…" All I do is just messing things up. If I don't do anything… "…nothing will change too from now on."
Kirishima's hand was left hanging in the air. He stood there, tongue-tied as he listened. Noticing the chance, the blond quickly escaped before Kirishima could try to catch him again.
Bakugou Katsuki raising his voice was nothing extraordinary. He shouted at the top of his lungs. Him using harsh words weren't anything unusual either. Even so, Kirishima, as if paralyzed, he could only watch, unable to say anything back or even react when he realized one thing. Was he rejected?
However it didn't hit him until blond had long left that he started to feel the ache creeping up his chest. Kirishima could hardly understand half of what Bakugou blabbered. One thing he knew for sure was that, Bakugou implied there was no chance for them together. This was on a whole different level from when he decided to give up himself and pretend to only be best friends with Bakugou. He was rejected, head on, without knowing the reason why. No, maybe the reason didn't matter. Or did it? He honestly didn't know. All he knew right then was he felt like his heart is being torn to pieces.
Though quite ironically, drowned in his own sadness, Kirishima failed to pay any heed to the pained expression drawn over Bakugou's face at that very moment.
The redhead crouched down slowly. His left fist reaching up to where his heart is, beating it continuously, as though by doing so would lessen the aching. Tears accumulated in the corner of his red eyes, blurring his vision. As he blinked, the first teardrop fell and disappeared on the ground. "Why…" He sobbed. "Why is it back to square one again?"
I bet some of you might curse me
you thought they're gonna have a happy ending already?
hoho not that easy, ferguso
(excuse me for trashing with the meme trending in my country)
so *clears throat* for those who've forgotten, Shiratori is an OC mentioned in chapter 2 that I made up to make things complicated lmao
i hope this isn't too much, or too much is good?
well pls continue hoping this will end soon cuz i cant wait too
Anyway, thanks for reading~
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