The ground trembled and crackled loudly, followed by a deafening explosion that echoed throughout USJ. Students halted in their activities to gape at the malevolent mushroom cloud that rose from the urban ruins, enveloping the entire facility in a foreboding darkness.

"Die...!"

While most were either too deathly afraid or impressed to move, Aizawa blinked lazily at the spectacle from the comfort of the teacher's lounge area overlooking USJ from above. "Like I said before," he grumbled, glaring at All Might who sat with Present Mic, Thirteen and Midnight, sharing a round of hot tea. "This is your worst and most ridiculous idea for a hero test yet."

All Might glanced up from his beverage. "How so?" he asked inquisitively, "The kids seem much more motivated in their studies than before! Despite what you think, I feel like I did good this time."

"Heck yeah!" Present Mic piped in, "They're full of youthful energy just caching, swirling, burning...ready to explode! On the contrary, I think this is All Might's greatest idea yet! Just look at them go!" As he said this, the teachers instinctively turned to the window in time to see a stampede of students screaming and careening from the violent explosions with tears in their eyes.

"I don't think that's youthful energy," Thirteen mumbled.

"Back to what I was saying," Aizawa continued, "I still think it was a terrible call to gather a bunch of hormone-imbalanced teenagers, make them partner up with people that weren't all their first choices, and expecting everyone to come out of it unscathed. We should have waited until these kids were older for such an advanced assignment."

"Fufufu..." With a confident smirk, Midnight strutted to Aizawa, flicking her long, jet-black hair over her shoulders and allowing the men and Thirteen a full and gratifying view of her mountainous breasts as they bounced with each step. "As pro heroes, we're expected to do the same thing depending on which agencies we've made contracts with. What's wrong with introducing these kids to the work system earlier?"

Aizawa took a sip of his tea and sighed, "That's the problem. They're not on that level of maturity yet. "

"Die, you little shits! Die! Die! Die!" More explosions followed and toppled over buildings in a monstrous cloud of smoke, devouring the replica city in a storm of flames.

"Case in point," Aizawa pointed towards the destruction, "That particular student has been reducing most of U.A.'s training facilities to rubble for the past couple of days."

"Ah, young Bakugo," All Might nodded, "His quirk is definitely growing in strength! Unfortunately, his temper is getting shorter as a result..."

Midnight looked to the growing dust cloud afar. "He has been angrier than usual."

Aizawa left the window to place his cup back on the lounge table. "I received news from some of my students that his partner- Uraraka Ochaco- suddenly disappeared on the first day of their Period of Repose. Coincidence?" His eyes emitted a crimson glow. "I think not."

Thirteen shook their head. "Now you're just overthinking things."

Present Mic's face nearly paled at hearing of the brunette's sudden desertion. "What?!" he cried, "Uraraka's gone missing?! How?!"

Midnight rolled her eyes. "She's fine. We contacted her parents and they confirmed her safety."

"Are you implying that my Hero Analysis and Application assignment is the cause of Bakugo's destruction spree?" All Might gawked at the dark-haired grump. "I hardly think that is the reason."

"Whatever the case," Aizawa digressed, "Someone needs to give that kid a good talk about dealing with his emotions. But first, we have to stop him before he brings down all of USJ."

The other teachers looked at one another and simultaneously heaved a loud sigh. "Agreed," they nodded tiredly and set off to find the blonde menace.

...

And down went another building. Bakugo leaped from rubble to rubble, ricocheting his explosions throughout the ruins, no longer caring how often he returned to the same places to relive the destruction his wrath ensued. He landed on a taller structure and glared at the debris and smoke below, his palms emitting an ominous glow.

From the dust and smoke emerged Kirishima, making a struggled dash for the blonde. "Bakugo!" he cried, "Stop it! You'll destroy USJ at this rate!"

Bakugo cracked his knuckles and grinned wickedly. "This? Hah...this is nothing." Without warning, he dropped to his knees and slammed his explosives on the structure he stood on. "This is the raw strength of a hero! Do you see it, Kirishima?! Witness my power!"

The explosion's shockwaves struck Kirishima, flinging him to another building afar. He shielded his eyes just as the flames burst and the same thunderous sound bellowed after. "Argh!" he grunted and hardened his flesh from head to foot. "I'm not going to watch you do this to yourself any longer, man. Snap out of it!" He drove his fist into the ground, stopping his airborne path and allowing him to land back on his feet and regain his balance. With a determined huff, he ran towards the blonde again, this time punching any rubble that blocked his path and chopping away any chunks that fell on him. He could see Bakugo's silhouette rising from the smoke and embers, preparing for another assault. "Bakugo!" He leaped over the final pile of stony remains and reached out the boy, hoping his voice could make him hesitate for even just a moment.

"YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" A force just as destructive as Bakugo's explosions traveled through the city ruins, stunning both students into instant submission.

"Present Mic!" Kirishima gasped just as the emitter's black boot stood in front of him.

Present Mic took in a deep breath and bellowed even louder, "HEEEEEYYY! STOP MESSING UP USJ ALREADY, ARE YOU CRAZY?! COME ON!"

Bakugo stood to his feet, holding his throbbing ears. "Cut that shit out!" he shouted back.

"Bakugo Katsuki!" Midnight cracked her whip and towered over the frenzied teen. "That's enough!"

Bakugo's eyes reddened with rage as he retorted, "What's the problem?! I'm just getting some training in like everyone else!"

"Your recklessness is endangering your fellow classmates and destroying the facility!" Midnight stepped back and wrapped her fingers around the thin fabric of her upper sleeve. "Stand down!" she warned, "Or I'll be forced to take drastic measures to subdue you!"

Kirishima barely managed to balance himself on his knees. "Bakugo, just listen to what Midnight says!" he pleaded.

"Young Bakugo!"

"Tch...!" Bakugo froze. While Present Mic helped Kirishima up, a muscular All Might marched into the scene with Aizawa and Thirteen following suit, keeping a safe enough distance from him. His throat tightened at seeing the affable yet stern grin on his idolized hero's face. "All Might..."

Without a hint of fear or hesitation, All Might walked up to the teen, clapped him on the shoulder and widened his blinding smile. "Young Bakugo," he spoke gently, "You must stop. These aren't the actions of a hero and you know that."

The walls of flame and thorns Bakugo put up around himself fizzled and wilted into ash, scattering in the soft wind that blew past. Suddenly, his body ached and pleaded for respite, knees finally giving way and planting him on the ground. 'What the?' he pondered, 'When did I get so tired? I can't even move anymore.'

Aizawa blew the scarf from his lips and knelt down in front of Bakugo. "Are you finally done with your little tantrum?" he scolded with a disappointed frown, "Honestly, you need to stop being so childish. You're aiming to become a full-pledged top hero, aren't you? Then man up and start taking some responsibilities for your actions. Keep your emotions in check or you'll never get anywhere with that fickle attitude of yours."

The area fell silent at the quirk eraser's honesty, save for All Might who tried to spare Bakugo's feelings by uttering, "O-oy, Aizawa...you're being really harsh..."

Bakugo felt a pang of irritation well up inside him, but let it dissolve at realizing Aizawa was right. Lacking the strength to move, he could only grit his teeth and slump back on the small pile of cement blocks behind him.

"Give me a break..." Aizawa groaned and stood back up. Everyone watched quietly as he pulled out his eyedropper and applied it to his bloodshot eyes. "I said someone should talk to you about dealing with your temper, but it ended up being me. Seriously."

All Might quivered. "I-I can't..."

Aizawa put away his eyedropper and rubbed his lashes dry. "Your quirk's returned now," he told Bakugo, "If you understand, then take proper action from here on."

Bakugo pursed his lips in annoyance and grumbled, "Yeah, whatever."

"I can't...hold it...!" A thick steam blew from the golden hero and dissipated to reveal his more macabre form grinning weakly at the flabbergasted Bakugo. "My true form is here!" he chuckled.

A chill shot up Bakugo and Kirishima's backs. 'Still can't get used to that...'

"Whoooaaa," Present Mic cooed as Aizawa walked by along with the other teachers, "So cool! I had no idea you could deliver motivational speeches like that. Exhilarating! You should have your own TV show!"

"I hate cameras."

"We'll call it...the 'Eraser Head Talk Show!' Featuring mister grumpy pants himself- Aizawa Shota! Let me hear that applause! ...The crowd loves it!"

"Ugh..."

Kirishima ran to Bakugo and hoisted him up effortlessly. But before they could make their exit, a firm hand from All Might stopped them. They looked back at him, the redhead quelling his urge to fanboy before their famed instructor.

"In all seriousness," All Might said, "Aizawa's advice is for any of you. Keep his words in mind and you will all blossom into magnificent heroes someday! I look forward to that kind of future." He paused before giving them an almost sad smile and jogging after the others.

Kirishima moved to take the first step out of the city ruins only for Bakugo's foot to act as a stopper for this attempt. "What is it now?" Kirishima asked him.

Bakugo unhinged himself from Kirishima's hold. "I can walk fine on my own," he insisted, "So just worry about yourself."

Kirishima could not help but smile at the blonde's clandestine way of showing consideration towards his peers. Seeing the apologetic frown on Bakugo's face, he decided to keep his comment to himself and merely shrugged. "Hey, whatever you say, Bakugo."

"...Na, Kirishima."

"Hm?"

"Do you really...not have any idea as to where that idiot went?"

Kirishima's eyes widened in surprise at the straightforwardness of Bakugo's delivery. He could tell, too, that Bakugo felt self-conscious with how he glanced away, tapping his foot impatiently on the ground. The redhead sighed, "No, dude...sorry."

Bakugo blinked and nodded. "I see."

"But you know who would definitely know?" Kirishima offered, piquing Bakugo's interest. "The person she hangs out with the most- Midoriya!"

Bakugo's face immediately soured as he barked, "Over my dead body!"

"I knew you wouldn't like that answer, but you and I both know it's true. If you have any hope of finding Uraraka, it's him."

"Hell no!" Bakugo protested, "There's gotta be someone else! Just think for a moment!"

"Gee, I'd love to but..." Kirishima pointed towards the Conflagration Zone. "I have meet up with the class rep in a few minutes to work on our own training. I only left my post because of all the ruckus you were making, but now that everything's fine again, I've gotta go."

"You bastard..."

Kirishima grinned and flew into a sprint, yelling, "Later, Bakugo! Let me know if you find out anything!"

"..."

.

.

.

.

Midoriya opened the pantry to retrieve his box of chocolate bon o bons he'd been saving since last week. "I deserve this," he hummed happily, "Todoroki's been putting us under rigorous training lately that I just can't wait until finals are over to have these." He shut the pantry and opened the bag only to look up and come face to face with his glowering childhood friend. "Kacchan?!" he squeaked, spilling his beloved snacks on the floor.

Bakugo's wrinkled his nose at the mess but kept his glare on Midoriya. "Oy, Deku."

Midoriya stepped back. "Y-y-yes?!"

"Human girl- poofy brown hair, big dumb eyes, smiles a lot. Have you seen her."

'Is he asking me or telling me?' Midoriya steadied his breath and asked back as calmly as he could, "Erm...Uru-Uraraka?"

"Have you seen her or not?!" Bakugo snapped.

"Eeep!" Midoriya flinched. "No-not recently! She...sh-she hasn't been around..."

"Really?" Bakugo sang sarcastically, "I hadn't noticed, genius. I'm obviously asking if you know where she went. I know you had some part in her little disappearing act so spill."

Midoriya's lips thinned. 'Uraraka...'

.

.

"...um, actually, about that..." Uraraka pressed the tips of her index fingers together. "I...won't be able to train with Bakugo. In fact, I won't really be around for a while."

"Eh?" Midoriya asked, "Why not?"

"So you and Bakugo did get into a fight..." Asui mumbled thoughtfully.

Uraraka shook her head profusely. "Not at all! It's nothing like that! It's just..." Her eyes saddened. "...I miss my parents so I'm going back to my hometown for a bit."

Midoriya brows furrowed with concern. "Okay, but...for how long will you be gone?"

"Um..." Uraraka stuck her tongue out shyly. "Until the last week of finals."

Midoriya and Asui's eyes grew in size as they gasped in shock, "What?!"

Uraraka pressed a finger to her lips to chide her friends. "Don't worry, I'll still train. I don't want to fail that final after all."

"Have you told Bakugo about this plan yet-ribbit?" Asui asked.

"...It's better if I leave quietly." Uraraka pressed her hands together. "I plan on leaving by tonight, but please don't tell him! I know he'll just get angry and do everything he can to keep me at U.A. and I..." Her eyes darted to Bakugo's empty seat. "I really miss my parents. I want to see them without Bakugo's negativity burdening me."

"Uraraka," Midoriya sighed, "This is a really terrible idea. Hiding things from Kacchan never results in anything good."

Uraraka rubbed her elbow nervously and muttered, "I know."

"Is seeing your parents really the only reason you're leaving like this?"

There was an instance of hesitation before Uraraka placed her hands on her knees and bowed deeply, "Please, you guys...I need to do this."

Midoriya and Asui looked at each other, both certain of the dreadful outcome looming just over the horizon. But, as the gravity manipulator's friends, they understood her wish and gave her a slow nod.

.

.

Midoriya looked up at Bakugo and asked firmly, "Kacchan, just what is Uraraka to you?"

Bakugo's voice lodged in his throat, caught off guard by the curly-haired boy's sudden question. After gathering his thoughts, he grumbled, "She's my project partner so obviously, I want to find her to train for the damn final. Now quit trying to change the subject and tell me where she ran off to!"

"Those popsicles from before," Midoriya continued, "Uraraka didn't make them, did she? I remember the popsicles your mom used to make for us when we were kids so I know... Those were yours, but you let everyone believe it was all Uraraka. You didn't even have a popsicle for yourself after all the work you put in, but Uraraka did and you two were the last ones out of the kitchen."

Bakugo held his tongue.

"You encourage her when she's down and act impulsively when her safety is concerned."

"Oy, Deku-"

"Kacchan, you care for her, don't you?"

Midoriya's keen observation struck again, hitting a home run long overdue. Bakugo bared his teeth at him and snarled, "Don't make baseless assumptions, you scum! Just who the hell do you think you are to talk like this with me?!" Though as desperately as he tried to raise his walls, Midoriya's green orbs pierced right through him, grabbing hold of the mask that hid the honesty in his heart with every intention of peeling it away.

The deepening blush on Bakugo's cheeks was all Midoriya needed for an answer as he smiled brightly and said, "You have to convey that properly to Uraraka or she'll never understand."

'You have no idea.' Bakugo rolled his eyes and demanded again, "Just tell me where the hell she went, shitnerd! Or else I'll beat the answer out of you!"

Midoriya knelt down to pick up his bon o bons, timidly tucking them away in the crookedly torn chip bag in his hand. "She said she was going back home to visit her parents. I don't know her address, though, so that's the best answer I can offer you."

Bakugo punched the counter. "Why did she leave so suddenly?" he muttered, "And without telling me anything, too. That girl is in for a world of hurt once I get my hands on her."

Midoriya felt nervous again. "Ma-maybe you should talk things out clearly with her first..." he suggested, "She said she'd be back by the last week so just hold out until the-"

"That's too damn long!" Bakugo thundered, "Fuck no!" Ignoring Midoriya's bleating, he spun around only to turn rigid at finding a bewildered Kaminari standing by the doorway. 'Shit,' he cursed himself, 'How much did this idiot hear?!' He didn't wait to find out the answer as he shoved Kaminari aside and stormed out of the common room.

Midoriya emerged from the kitchen to stop Bakugo but was struck by Kaminari's plummeting form, spilling once again his snacks on the floor. "I'm not meant to eat these today..." he sighed sadly.

"Sorry, Midoriya!" Kaminari excused himself and ran after the enraged blonde. "Bakugo!" he called, leaping into the hall, "Wait, I have something to tell you!" He caught up to the explosive quirk user and grabbed him by the shoulder.

"What do you want?!" Bakugo spat, slapping Kaminari's hand away.

Kaminari flinched and rubbed his fingers, questioning his own sanity in confronting Bakugo this way. "I'm sorry," he admitted, "I didn't mean to, but I heard everything between you and Midoriya just now."

"That's all? Tch! Quit wasting my time. It doesn't take a genius to figure that much out."

"And I'm sorry for the misunderstanding I caused between you and Uraraka. I didn't want things to turn out this way. In fact, I wanted to tell you that Jir-" Kaminari stopped himself and cleared his throat. "Ji...I-I mean, I realized how badly I messed up so I want to make it up to you."

Bakugo shook his fist at the bumbling boy. "Beat it, dunce face! I especially don't need your stupid nose sniffing up on my business."

"I mean it!" Kaminari persisted and ran in front of Bakugo to keep him from leaving. "I'll do any one thing you want. Anything! Well, as long as it doesn't involve suicide or self-mutilation, of course... But just name whatever you want!"

"Fuck off or else I'll kill you," Bakugo growled, brushing his shoulder roughly against Kaminari's as he stomped on.

"...You want to find Uraraka, right?"

Bakugo stilled but refused to turn around in dread of the statement to be a ruse.

"I can help." Kaminari reached into his tousled hair and pulled out a metallic bobby pin. Grinning proudly, he held it up to Bakugo who was peeking at him from the corner of his eye. "We'll go straight to the source herself!"

Though still skeptical, Bakugo grudgingly followed the tittering blonde, figuring some small hope was better than nothing at all. Kirishima and Midoriya abandoned him, fine. But if Sero along with this idiot were to both get in on his search for Uraraka, it would just make a whole other mess he did not have the patience to clean up after. 'It's better to keep casualties at a minimum' he thought darkly and cracked his knuckles. Kaminari soon led them to Uraraka's door and it was only when he knelt down that Bakugo understood what he meant by 'the source herself.' "Oy!" the riled blonde scolded, "What the hell are you thinking?! We're not sneaking into a girl's room like a bunch of perverts!"

Kaminari stuck the pin into the keyhole and jiggled it around. "I'm doing the hard job of unlocking this door," he said, "You are the one going in to find out what you can of where Uraraka went." His eyes flitted to Bakugo. "I really do feel awful for what I did, okay? So let me do this for you at least." Before any refusals could be made, the lock clicked under Kaminari's dextrous fingers and the door creaked open. "I've still got it!" he applauded himself, "Thank you, handy-dandy bobby pins."

Though he knew he should have protested more vehemently, Bakugo found himself walking into Uraraka's room without another moment's delay. Finding the brunette came first. He could worry about morals later since this was considered a grey area in that aspect.

"You're on your own from here," Kaminari informed him while tucking the bobby pin back in his hair. "I hope you find her."

Bakugo's shoulders fell. "...Thanks," he mumbled incoherently and closed the door behind him.

Kaminari smiled as he walked away. 'Well, what do you know... He can show gratitude, too.'

...

Compared to Bakugo's straightlaced style, Uraraka's room was a fluffy humbug that consisted of discount items brought together in loose harmony. The only 'valuables' that stood out were her laptop and mini-tv, both of which were electronics so it made sense. The electric fan would have been another possibility if Bakugo didn't turn it over to find a red sticker labeled 'Clearance' still attached to it. He shook his head and placed the clunky item back on the floor where it belonged before venturing to her desk.

He figured he shouldn't compare their living styles as they differed vastly as night and day, but he couldn't help thinking how cramped her study area was. 'No wonder she always invades my room,' he thought in annoyance and wheeled himself in. He didn't get very far as his knee abruptly struck the other side of her desk, making him flinch in pain. 'Damn! Either this girl is really short or I'm just really tall. How does she work like this?!' Now scowling, he rolled back a few inches and opened up her laptop. It did not surprise him that the happy-go-lucky gravity manipulator did not bother to even put a security code, a naive decision that worked wonderfully in his favor at the moment, so he gladly began his exploration.

Conveniently enough, Uraraka's desktop was clean with only the necessary browser and program icons occupying it and a suspicious folder labeled 'My Stuff.' He clicked inside to find a long list of video blogs dating back to her middle school days. The further he scrolled, the closer he got to present day. Out of curiosity, he clicked on the date that began for all of them- their first day of classes at U.A.

"Dear me of the Future..."

Bakugo cringed.

"Kyaaah! I got into U.A. and today was my first day of classes! It was pretty fun... But guess what? Remember how I said I met this funny curly-haired kid that almost fell on his face before the entrance exam? We're in the same class! His name is Mizu- Mizuki? Mido...Mi- ...Oh! Midoriya Izuku! But I hear this scary guy call him 'Deku' all the time so I got used to that name, too. Deku said he didn't mind, though. He's a really nice and super shy person."

'Scary guy, huh?' Bakugo leaned a chin on his hand and flipped open the notebook he easily recognized as her Hero Analysis journal. If she was going to talk about Midoriya throughout these next couple of videos, he might as well tune some of it out in a productive way.

"Today, Deku and I got paired up in All Might's hero lesson against Iida- he's another funny guy- and the scary person. His name's Bakugo."

Bakugo rolled his eyes and flipped a page over. As Uraraka went on to retell his first loss against Midoriya, he skimmed over her notes, growing more agitated at each line. "I am not always angry!" he clamored.

"Dear me of the Future, the Sports Festival is coming up soon. To be honest, I'm really nervous but excited at the same time."

"Damn it! And I told this gremlin, specifically, not to mention anything about my cooking! And what does she do?! She fuckin' writes about it in one whole page!" Bakugo nearly tore the page off, but instead punched the desk and whisked the sheet over to keep reading.

"I went up against Bakugo for the tournament..."

Bakugo's finger stopped at the next sheet's corner as he looked up at the screen to see Uraraka rubbing the remaining tears from her swollen eyes.

"I lost."

His throat parched.

"But you know, I'm glad he didn't hold back. It felt like he really regarded me as an opponent worthy of keeping his guard up against. Man... I was so close, too! If only I touched him just once, I would have had the upper hand. Mommy and Daddy congratulated me for doing my best, but...losing still hurts, you know? Oh, well. Until next year!"

. . .

"Dear me of the Future, today Aoyama made me realize that I might...actually like Deku...as more than a friend."

A familiar chill crawled up Bakugo's chest as he heard this, having to look away from the screen so as to avoid seeing Uraraka's embarrassed expression. She went on to talk about her fondness for the One for All user, even confirming her feelings a second time during their class' time away at camp. He listened as she spilled her heart out to the voiceless camera, almost pathetically crying at getting too caught up in her emotions. 'I can't listen to this anymore.' He moved the cursor to the red 'X,' but halted when he heard:

"I can't act on these feelings. Everyone is striving to become a pro hero, not to form romances with their fellow classmates. At least...mostly everyone...and I know Deku is part of that group. He doesn't need any distractions right now. I want to support him in fulfilling his dreams, not hold him back. Besides, I've got three years so these feelings are bound to die out by then, right? Haha!"

Normally, things other people said never bothered him, rendered practically nonexistent if he was not involved. But this time was different. Bakugo felt angry. Annoyed. Disappointed. "What the hell, Uraraka," he whispered and ran a hand through his hair, "Playing martyr like some eighteenth-century idiot. Damn it!" His thoughts drowned out most of the remaining video blogs, skipping over her internship with Gunhead, his kidnapping, All Might's reveal, and so forth.

"Dear me of the Future, All Might gave us this weird assignment that needed us to partner up with our friends. Somehow, I ended up being paired with Bakugo of all people."

Bakugo glared at the screen and snarled, "Well shit, don't sound so hateful about it!"

"You know, Bakugo really isn't that bad. Today, he trusted me to win Mr. Aizawa's race for us and his plan worked to perfection."

. . .

"I can't get over his cooking! Everything he makes is delicious! Whoops... But don't tell him I stole his leftover tonkatsu ramen from last night. I just couldn't resist!"

. . .

"Bakugo's been acting really weird with me lately... He gets irritated more often but then acts somewhat nice a little after. I don't really get it. Maybe he's dealing with some personal issues and I'm just bothering him?"

. . .

"Bakugo's mom is so pretty! She could practically pass for his sister. She invited me over to their home for some reason. Bakugo isn't very happy about it, but I'm excited! I'm sure she cooks lightyears better than him!"

. . .

"Holy smokes! I can't believe it! I don't know what brought it on, but Bakugo almost kissed me while we were staying at his house. Oh, gosh! I don't know how to feel about it. What got into him?! And I know he meant to kiss me! Our lips barely touched."

Bakugo blushed along with Uraraka at reliving that night.

"...Dear me of the Future, why does my heart get all crazy when I'm around Bakugo now?"

'What?!' Bakugo's eyes froze on the screen as his mouth fell slightly agape. 'Hold on...!'

"I've been so conscious of him lately and I can't stop myself from getting all worked up when I'm with him. Kyaaah! I blame him completely! If he didn't try to kiss me, then I wouldn't feel like this! Stupid Bakugo!"

. . .

"Today, Bakugo got hurt because of me. I was trying to think some things over by myself during a hero exercise and ended up endangering us both. Bakugo was sound enough to not only keep the cave from collapsing on us but to protect me, too. I don't get it... He acts like he hates me and I try to keep on like it's all fine, but then he goes and does stuff like that. Just how does he feel about me? I really don't know..."

The screen blacked, snapping Bakugo back into reality. "What?" he hissed, "That...that can't be it! So much happened after that! Where...?" He searched her files again, scrolling frantically until he came across an unnamed folder. His heart slammed wildly against his chest as he clicked into it to find only two video blogs sitting inside and recently dated. He took a deep breath and opened the first clip. His face fell at seeing Uraraka's flushed and crestfallen face looking back at him, seemingly on the verge of tears.

"...De-Dear me of the...Future...I'm... I, uh... I don't know wh-what to...do..."

Bakugo's shoulders stiffened as he straightened up, an undeniable angst pulling at his heartstrings.

"I think...I'm falling in love with Bakugo."

The world stopped turning. The room dimmed to an asphyxiating darkness. Numbed by shock, Bakugo fell back into the chair with eyes and mouth wide open, taking in the troubled girl's confession.

"I mean...there's no reason to cry over spilled milk, right? If you ask me how this happened, I have no idea. I don't...I don't even know when it began, but I'm certain of it. It hurts me to see him, but I can't imagine not being by his side either. I can't expla-" ... "Heh, you must be laughing at me now. I just put in the missing pieces by talking to a camera."

'You idiot...' Bakugo clenched his hand into a fist.

"He's going to a mixer tonight. Just when I realized my feelings, too... I guess I'm just a doomed magnet for this kind of thing. To be honest, this is worse than Deku since Bakugo made a straight path for himself to become a pro- no, the number one hero. I can't burden him with my selfishness."

And black. "Be selfish!" Bakugo shouted at the laptop and clicked on the second clip. "Quit running away and be selfish for once, damn it, Uraraka!"

"...uh...uhn...!"

In the final clip playing before him, Uraraka sat slumped over her desk, shoulders shaking as she sobbed uncontrollably. She lifted her face to the camera, tears streaming down her cheeks and lips and her hair tied to a tangled mess. Before he realized what he was doing, Bakugo reached to the screen only to meet its soulless surface. His fingers traced over the pixels of her tears, wishing with all his might he could wipe it all away.

"Bakugo has someone precious to him. I should be happy, right? I already decided to spare him my feelings and support him as his good friend. So why? Why do I feel so awful? ...I'm happy for him, I really am. I just want...his happiness. Why is it like this...?!"

Unable to speak anymore, Uraraka shakily reached up to the power switch and the video blackened into nothing. Bakugo's glazed eyes searched her taskbar for the next clue, anything to connect to that heartbreaking video blog. Though what he found was much better for when he brought up her minimized browser, he discovered the last search Uraraka made for trains leaving to Ugata Station.

'There you are!' His feet kicked off the floor for a sprint, but caught in something bulky and sent him crashing down without a chance to even blink. "What the?!" He peered down and paled at discovering a large teddy bear head. Swallowing thickly, he reached behind her bed and pulled the rest of the fatigued costume out, confirming his dire suspicion true. His face warmed considerably as his heels dragged across the floor to curl under his knees in pained recoil. 'Fuck, I can't take this anymore!'

...

Kirishima gave Bakugo's door another soft knock. "Bakugo?" he called uncertainly, "Listen, sorry if it felt like I just ditched you earlier. You understand, right? I didn't want to disappoint the class rep and he has such high expectations of us..."

No answer.

"Bakugo?" Kirishima called again, "Hey, man, don't be like that."

"Out of the way, Kirishima!"

His reflexive sidestep spared him the battery of Bakugo's lightning-fast dash as the blonde jabbed his key into the lock and bolted his way into the room. He flicked the light switch on and immediately jumped to his closet, pulling shirt after pants after jacket without care.

Kirishima tiptoed into the lion's den, daring to ask, "Err...what are you packing up for?"

Bakugo snatched from the very back of his closet a combination of hung clothes that, to Kirishima, appeared quite expensive. Indifferent towards the redhead's presence, Bakugo worked on slithering out of his muscle shirt and then ripping off his cargo shorts.

"Whoa, whoa!" Kirishima yelped and covered his face. "What's gotten into you?! What are you stripping for?!"

After lowering his arms, his face lit to Bakugo buckling in a pair of fitted dark jeans and pulling over a lightweight cotton white tee. The blonde then threw on his black pressed blazer and finished with plucking his dog tag necklace from under his collar and placing it proudly outside for the world to see. Bakugo Katsuki- the son of designer parents donned from head to toe in brand name clothing. Society could not expect any less of him.

Kirishima folded his arms and chuckled, "Hmm, and you couldn't dress like this for the mixer?"

"Tch, get real." Bakugo walked to the pile of clothes he threw aside earlier and began folding and packing them into his satchel. "This actually matters to me," he muttered with a smirk.

"I'm guessing you found where she went?"

Bakugo shoved his toothbrush and toothpaste in as well. "You're damn sure I did," he confirmed, zipping the satchel shut and throwing it over his shoulder. He then walked to his drawer, retrieved a silver watch from the velvet box that sat under his personal items, and fastened it to his wrist. A perfect fit. He shook the device until a faint ticking could be heard before then shoving his socked feet into a pair of black leather combat boots. He looked to Kirishima, who beamed at him like a proud parent, and concluded assuredly, "And I sure as hell am not losing sight of her again."