Hey guys !
I'm sorry for the wait! My midterms just ended and I'm very VERY sleep deprivated right now.
This chapter is shorter than usual but I made Katsuki wait long enough...also, hopefully I will grab some rest and update another chapter soon...*fingers cross*
I'm not very happy with this one ... but it can be my tired ass talking ... let me know ?
I hope you like it anyway !
And thanks a lot for your comments, it really helped lift my mood during midterms,
I love you guys !
Eventually they settled down, Mafuyu watching him expectantly while he thought about his discovery. There was a lot to process and he felt at lost.
This twitter account was a real chance for him to be seen for who he truly was, thus a real chance for him to become a hero if he wanted to. That meant having support when the mass media would likely keep talking shit about him. At least now, he would have people on his side.
As he already had, he realized with widening eyes. Those people, they shared thoughts they already had about him. He just didn't know. He just never saw.
He frowned and swallowed the painful lump in his throat, feeling ashamed. He had been so lost fighting his inner demons, so angry at his parents and surroundings for not being here for him, that he had completely missed and pushed away those that actually were.
Once again, he had screw up big time. God, he had certainly hurt them, hadn't he? His traitor brain unhelpfully supplied him with the vivid picture of a deject red-head with teary eyes. The very face he had seen Kirishima harboring the day they moved in the dorms, after Aizawa's sermon. This face hadn't and still didn't sit right with Bakugou, nor with his guts that clenched painfully at the memory.
"Hum, Bakugou?"
The hesitant voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He looked back at Mafuyu and arched a brow.
"Are you okay?" she asked again.
"Not really" he answered with a sigh.
"Oh…Can I do something to help?" she asked eagerly.
The corner of Bakugou's lips went up without his consent but he shook his head, "Naah. I just… I don't know what to do…"
"Well," she frowned pensively, "perhaps you can ask advices from someone? Like…an adult? That's what I do when I'm feeling sad…"
A face randomly popped into Bakugou's head and he stared back at the teenager. That could be a very bad idea. His heartbeat increased quickly into his chest, the impulse as strong as it was terrifying. But he wanted to take the chance. It was maybe foolish, it certainly wasn't something he was used to do, but whatever. He decided to throw caution to the wind and rely on someone else. He gulped audibly and held up the smartphone for Mafuyu.
"Can you do something for me?" he asked with slight tremor in his voice.
"Of course!" beamed the teenage girl.
"Call U.A. secretary office and ask for Aizawa."
She blinked twice then nodded. She taped on her screen, looking for the number before dialing it quickly. She put the speaker on and they listened to the beeps, both getting tenser with every passing second. Eventually, they were greeted by a woman's voice.
"U.A. High School, how may I help you?"
Bakugou nodded, silently telling Mafuyu to go on. The teenager looked uncomfortable but nodded back before clearing her throat awkwardly.
"Uh, yes, hello. I-I want to speak to Aizawa, please?"
"I'm sorry, Mr Aizawa is currently teaching and can't answer the phone for now. You can call back later or I can pass him a message if you prefer?"
Bakugou's hope deflated as quick as it rose. Of course Aizawa wouldn't be available, what did he expect? Like things were ever gonna be easy for—
"B-but" said loudly Mafuyu, startling him "it's important. I need to talk to him, please!" she insisted.
Bakugou looked her with surprise but she stubbornly stared at the grass, brows frowned.
"Oh, maybe you can leave a message and I will pass it to him shortly, that's all—"
"NO! That can't wait! That's a matter of life and death and it can't wait! Please, PLEASE! I need to speak to Aizawa!" almost cried Mafuyu.
Bakugou felt a warm feeling enveloping him as he watched the teenage girl desperately fighting for him. That was almost surreal and he had a hard time believing his eyes. That sure wasn't something he was used to witnessing, and he blinked back some tears.
"I, hum" the woman hesitated, "let me see what I can do. Can I have your name, please?"
"I'm Mafuyu…" she started, looking quizzically at Bakugou who was shaking no with his head, "Mafuyu … Hedgehog!" she added petulantly.
Bakugou faced palm.
"Very well. I will get back to you soon" said the woman after a moment.
Classical music started as the woman put them on hold and Bakugou snarls at Mafuyu, "Hedgehog, fucking really?"
She giggled, "Sorry I panicked and that's all I could think of!" she said before looking concerned, "D-do you think it will work?"
"Don't know" he answered, then added quickly when he saw her deflate, "But you did great"
She beamed and they waited side by side as time stretched, classical music playing softly breaking the silence.
"Hello?"
The bored voice startled them both and Bakugou's heartbeat quickened again. His hands started to sweat profusely so he took a grounding breath to calm himself before blowing them both. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Mafuyu give him an encouraging smile and he reminded himself that he was safe, that it was what he wanted.
"It's Bakugou" he said calmly.
"… Are you safe?" asked the man.
He couldn't help the pang in his chest at the obvious concern he heard into his usually collect and expressionless teacher.
"Yes" he answered immediately.
"Good" said Aizawa, tone relieved, "Where are you?"
Bakugou swallowed nervously, "I'm not telling"
"… So what would you call me for?" deadpanned Aizawa.
"I-I, uh, I need advices or some shit" spit out the blond.
"What advices?"
"I…uh…."
Bakugou rubbed his sweaty palms on his yukata. He couldn't do it. Surely, Aizawa would refuse to answer and just rant him out to the police. He shouldn't have done this, he should hung up quickly, before—
"He doesn't know if he want to be a hero or not and he needs advice about what to do now" chirped Mafuyu.
Bakugou choked on his spit, "What the fuck!" he blurted.
"Who is this?" asked Aizawa.
"Ma—"
"NO ONE!" cut Bakugou, "it's just a damn hedgehog!"
Mafuyu giggled under Bakugou's angry stare.
"So you don't know if you want to be a hero" said Aizawa after a moment, "Is this why you left?"
"Hum, fuck…I…sort of?" said Bakugou, hands gripping the fabric of the yukata to stop them from shaking.
"That's not something I can decide for you. You have to make that decision for yourself" said Aizawa.
"Fuck! I fucking know that! Just-"
"BUT" continued Aizawa, "if you decide on becoming one, and still want to train at U.A., since you have good grades there will be no problems, but I will only allow you back at the condition that you attend therapy sessions weekly."
"…"
"I will let you choose the therapist, it can be the school's or one from the outside, but this condition is non negotiable."
Bakugou exhaled a shaky breath, hands still clenched on his clothes, "Fine"
"And Bakugou?"
"Yeah?" answered reluctantly Bakugou through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry. I should have been a better teacher, and be more observant."
Bakugou bite his lower lips painfully, trying to push down the sudden rush of emotions, then cleared his throat before finally asking the question he had been dying to since the beginning of the conversation, "Did…did my parents contact you?" he asked, voice shaking.
"They did. I talked with your mother on the phone the day after your disparition, but not ever since"
"O-oh" he took a deep breath, "did she seemed upset?" he asked, voice uncharacteristically shy.
The ligne hold silent a moment then Aizawa answered, "Yes, she did."
Bakugou exhaled loudly and focused on his breathing. She was upset. At least, she cared.
"Is there a problem with your parents? Something I should know?" asked carefully Aizawa.
"I…no." rushed Bakugou, then sneered, "The damn hag can be hard sometimes, but she cares?"
He hadn't intended to phrase it as a question, yet that's how the words left his mouth.
"I only talked to your mother twice, but from what I observed, she cares. And I understand she wants you back. I'm pretty sure the same goes for your father" said sternly Aizawa.
Bakugou tried really hard to bite back the sob but it ripped past his clenched teeth and echoed in the heavy silence, soon followed by others. The sudden relief hit him hard and he cried the pressure out, every day he feared his parents wouldn't want him back, wouldn't miss him, running along his cheeks under the salty form of tears.
He tried to say something, anything, but found himself unable to form coherent thoughts. He gripped the fabric upon his chest and kept crying, shaking violently while he was trying to steady his breath. He had been so afraid his parents would move on, so afraid they would be relieved he left — freeing them of their unwanted, good-for-nothing, disappointing son.
"Bakugou, please don't cry!" cried Mafuyu, her own tears starting to leak as well. She threw herself at him, enveloping him in a tight hug, her frame too tiny to do it properly but with enough will to make him feel cared for.
"I-I'm not crying" he hiccuped without much conviction.
Mafuyu started giggling, tears still running, "Yes you are!"
"'m not!" he snarled stubbornly, "My eyes are fucking sweating!"
She laughed harder against his chest, still holding him. Soon, the ridicule of the sight they were offering got to him and he started laughing too, holding Mafuyu back against him.
They kept like that, a tangling mess of teenagers holding each other while crying and laughing hysterically. How the hell he ended up in this situation he didn't even know, but if he was honest — and he was trying to be — it wasn't unwelcome. It was ridiculous, uncalled for and lacked some serious dignity, but he felt freer than ever.
The other end of the line kept silent during their emotional crisis (?), long enough for Bakugou to fear Aizawa had actually hung up. His eyes looked for the smartphone on Mafuyu's lap as both teenagers calmed down.
"Feeling better?" deadpanned Aizawa.
Bakugou felt his cheeks go red, "Fuck"
"Language"
Mafuyu muffled her giggle behind her hand and Bakugou flipped her off playfully, only making her laugh harder.
"Aizawa?" Bakugou asked tentatively.
"Yes?"
"Just, shit, just don't tell anyone you spoke to me? I-I need some time figuring things out…"
"You're underage and I'm a teacher and a pro-hero, you know I can't do that" answered immediately Aizawa.
Bakugou cursed loudly and Mafuyu gasped.
"However" the hero continued, "I can promise you something. The instant I hang up, I'm going to call the police and they will trace the call. Which means you can either flee again somewhere else until the police finds you and drags your ass home, or come back here on your own. Either way, you will be back home eventually. Just remember this is where I can actively help, wether it's about studying at U.A., leaving U.A. properly, coming with you to talk with your parents, or whatever you may need help with."
Bakugou kept silent, overwhelmed with a curious melange of anger and gratitude. He needed time to process. He nodded awkwardly and Mafuyu took it as her cue to end the call. They stood still, until Mafuyu's phone went of, signaling the arrival of a new text message.
Unknown number : This is my private number. You can use it anytime — Aizawa
❮❯
Bakugou got out of the bathroom, hair still wet from the shower, and sat at the coffee table in front of Chiharu. He poured himself some tea from the fuming teapot in front of him and took a careful sip, thinking back to the day's events.
He had noted down Aizawa's personal number, along with Mafuyu's under the teenager's insistance, and had eventually parted with the brunette. She had held him tight, crying into his chest and making him promise to keep in touch while he pated her awkwardly on the back under the amused stares of the adults.
Aoi had thanked him again and again before shooing him out of her house when he tried to help her clean after the guests had left.
He got back to Chiharu's in a daze, then cautiously sorted the paper with Aizawa and Mafuyu's contact informations into his journal, before hoping in the shower.
Now, drinking some spicy tea, he felt drained and wanted nothing more than go to sleep. But he had some decisions to make.
As usual, Chiharu remained silent, eating her beloved strawberry mochis while looking at him knowingly. Bakugou sat straighter and looked dead into her eyes.
"Chiharu"
"Yes?"
"I called my homeroom teacher today. He said he is sending the damn police here to drag me back home. They shall be here anytime."
Chiharu frowned imperceptibly, "I see. What do you want to do?"
"I don't know. I don't fucking want to go back…but I can't stay here forever, and, shit, I don't fucking want to keep running like a coward!"
"…"
Bakugou sighed loudly and scowled, "It's fucking time to go back, isn't it?"
Chiharu hummed non commitaly.
"B-but" said the blond, voice so low Chiharu had to lean closer to hear it, "I-I'm not ready yet. I mean, shit, I miss them, but I'm afraid. Everything will still be the same, right?"
"Not necessarily. I don't promise there will be miraculous changes and your parents will provide you with what you need, but you changed. And I think it's important you hold on to that change, to the permission you gave yourself to be free, to be the real you. It's always easier and more reassuring for people to go and seek for what they know, even if it's something destructive. Which means you are going to be tempted to act like your old self. And people are going to try to make you go back to your old self. And sometimes, you are going to. And it will be okay. It's normal. Just remember who you are, who you want to be, and that you're strong, Katsuki. And wherever you will be starting from now on, remember that I care for you and I will always answer the phone, provided that you call Komari's shop or Sakura's house" she smiled.
Bakugou swallowed painfully, then smiled back weakly and nodded.
He didn't want to. He was afraid. But he could do this. He had trained himself and worked hard all his life. On his own. He had successfully entered U.A., without counting on anyone. And he had held alone for several days against adults villains that kidnapped and restrained him.
If he thought objectively about it, he was strong. Both mentally and physically. Whatever the reasons people had to making him feel insecure, making him feel like he was not good enough, they weren't valid. He was not the best, but .strong. He could do this.
And, he knew it now, he hadn't to do it alone. He could count on Kirishima, Pikachu, Pinky, Soy Sauce and maybe some others students of Class 1-A. As well as Aizawa, Chiharu, Mafuyu, Kento, Sakura, and everyone. There was a lot of person who truly cared for him. Many, many more than he ever thought could be possible. He felt strong and confident all of a sudden, warm and loved. He could do this.
"Guess I'm coming home then" he said blankly.
Chiharu nodded, "Do you need money for the train?"
Bakugou smirked, "Naah. Cop ride is free"
To his surprise, she giggled then picked another strawberry mochi.
❮❯
He gathered his stuff, taking great care in packing his journal and his carrot plushie, then changed into his own clothes. He felt restless. The cops could arrive anytime now, and waiting was unnerving. So he grabbed his pack back and went to Sakura's for something to read to pass the time. He knocked twice on the door and let himself in, closing the door behind him before heading for Sakura's bookcases.
The elder eyed him critically when he stepped in her living room, taking him the worn out hoodie, black pants, and the back pack on his shoulders.
"Going somewhere, Katsuki?" she asked casually.
He shrugged, "Going back home. 'm waiting for my ride"
She blinked, "Oh, okay."
Silence fell upon them as Bakugou faked ignoring her stare while he examined the books. He scratched his head nervously, fingers sliding smoothly into blond-red locks.
"Your hair grew longer since you came here"
He grunted, eyes still on the books.
"I must say red and blond together looks odd" she added conversationally.
He finally let go of the book he had picked and narrowed at her, "What the fuck do you want me to do about it?"
"I can cut it for you, if you want?"
She waited patiently for his answer. It was a genuine proposition but that had Bakugou thinking hard. He had dyed his hair to elope without people recognizing him, but also to be someone else. Now that he was about to come back as Bakugou Katsuki, the red hair hadn't anymore sense, right? But he wasn't coming back as the same person as he left. He had changed, and he felt about showing him. He was coming back as himself, Bakugou Katsuki, but the real one. So no more red dye, but new hair cut?
He smirked, "Do you have a razor?"
❮❯
When two cops finally reached the village, they found the missing blond teenager waiting for them with a smug face and a fresh undercut.