HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIRISHIMAAAAAAA!

This is Idol speaking. So I wasn't planning on posting anything for his birthday but I did anyway. This takes place like right after Chapter 12. Have some angst and fluff for our favorite redhead's birthday!

This is a DRABBLE, meaning that it was not edited. At all. What came to my brain, I wrote. So PLEASE, for the love of God, don't judge it too seriously.

Also, reviews are appreciated. You have no idea how much reviews mean to Disaster and I.

Anyway, enjoy the drabble!

- Idol

You know how when you have your first crush you don't mean to fall in love but you do anyway?

Most of my friends went through that in middle school. I didn't really see how any of the people in my middle school were attractive so I just cheered them on from the sidelines. Besides, going up and confessing first was a manly move!

Some of them got their girl, some of them didn't. And I was left by myself.

Well, to be fair, I was the kid in greasy black hair who never really paid much attention in class, had a mediocre quirk, a little insomnia, and dreams too big for me to contain But I was also a filthy coward. Still am though everyone tries to tell me otherwise. I mean, I got into U.A. How many people can say they've done that?

Thing is, I also stood by and watched as a villain attacked my friends. At least Mina didn't get hurt, but still.

I was aspiring to be a hero. I should have done something.

Yet I didn't.

I like to think that trauma has faded, but with the USJ it was brought back in a completely new light.

Yangchen…

She was hospitalized.

And I barely did anything! I mean, most of the fighting was Kiraru and Bakugou. I… barely did anything. Like always.

And yet, Yangchen wanted to be my friend.

Sometimes she'd seek me out at lunch to chat with. Sometimes I'd find her staring at something on her phone, a tear leaking out of her eye. Sometimes, we'd walk home together (and Kiraru of course. The two were practically inseparable.)

Speaking of which, I'd somehow managed to get Kiraru's friendship as well. And she was… nice, for lack of a better word. Basically a nicer, toned-down Bakugou. I always got the feeling that she was hiding something, but I never pushed her. After all, I kept some secrets of myself too.

And she had started to tease me about liking Yangchen. Especially during the Sports Festival. And… I couldn't bring myself to deny it for some reason. My tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth as I excused myself and ran down the hallway, my face the same red color as my (now dyed) hair.

Me liking Yangchen?

Me liking someone?

I didn't deserve to like someone! I was an absolute coward, and Yangchen was so courageous! So strong! So beautiful-

I stopped running.

Shoot.

Suddenly it felt like I was a sixth grader again. I… had a silly crush on one of my friends.

But no matter what I told myself, I couldn't bring myself to admit it was a useless crush. Sure she may not like me back (hell, she probably won't) but...there's still a chance, right?

Hot damn. I slid down the wall, putting my head in my hands. Why me, of all people? Why did I have to-

"Red Riot?"

Shoot.

I lifted my head to see a visibly confused Yangchen. "You okay there? Did someone do something? What happened?"

I felt my face heating up. "N-Nothing!" I cursed my squeaking voice.

She narrowed her eyes. "Sure, nothing."

"Yep! Nothing!" I put on a smile. "Don't you have to meet up with Kiraru?"

She bit her lip. "I do, but…"

I waved a hand at her. "No, I'm fine, really. Just thinking. Kiraru's probably worried; you should check up on her."

She didn't look convinced in the slightest, only nodding her head slowly.

She wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

I sighed and resigned myself to my fate. "It's not that important, honest. I just… realized something, that's all."

I dropped my head back into my hands, trying to make sense of the raging thoughts in my head. I heard a hum and then a thump beside me.

Yangchen was sitting beside me.

A month ago I wouldn't have given it a second thought. Now though…

"I get what you mean," Yangchen said after a minute. "Some ideas 'r hard to accept. Sometimes it's damn harder than your quirk. But damn, when it all works out in the end, that's worth livin' through it."

She turned to look at me, a soft smile on her face. "I won't be any help with your personal stuff, n' I've also got my own emotions to deal with, but if you want to talk I'm a call away. We all are."

And holy shoot, I didn't know Yangchen could give deep speeches. I felt myself tearing up and lowered my head again before saying my only doubt. " …What if I don't deserve my friends?"

This time she was silent for much longer. I was starting to think that she didn't have an answer when a warm hand landed on my arm. I sucked in a breath as Yangchen spoke. "Those who are worthy of the things given to them have it easy. To earn your worth is the greatest reward."

I whipped my head up. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She just grinned knowingly before standing and brushing herself off. "I've gotta go check the bracket. Make sure I'm not fightin' anyone I like."

" …Yeah. See ya." I mock-saluted her. She giggled (my heart-) and waved at me before walking away.

Yet again, I dipped my head into my hands. Tears sprung to my eyes- but not from sadness or frustration.

Yangchen's words… meant more to me than she'll ever know.

See ya Monday for Chapter 13!