She enters to find Bakugo lying face down on his bed. And when he hears her, he turns his head a little just to say, "Get out."

She wavers a little, but doesn't lose her grit. She can't lose it now. "I'm here to help you and Midoriya-kun."

"Get out," he repeats. His tone is sleepy. But not just sleepy. Utterly drained and exhausted. Perhaps since he barely has the energy to speak, let alone fight, this might be a bit easier than she expected.

She helps herself to a spot on the floor next to his bed. "I'm not leaving until I know for certain that you can save him."

"…Can't…" he mutters.

"…If you can't, then no one can."

He shifts a little and lies on his side, turning away from her completely. "Go away."

Since she knows this isn't going anywhere, she takes a shot in the dark. "…I know that Midoriya-kun used to be quirkless."

He twitches. Then he bolts up to a sitting position just to stare at her, and the sudden movement makes his head spin. But as he cradles his forehead, he glares at her out of the corner of his eye. If she knows about that, then that means she… "You…" he growls, his voice and eyes suddenly burning with rage. After everything Midoriya has been through… for this bitch to take advantage of that and take Midoriya's…

"It's not what you think," she quickly retorts, "They're Dr. Shinbyou's memories."

He pauses at this new information. "…You? …The old hag?" He doesn't believe it at first. After all, she'd never have the guts to do something like that knowing she'd get in trouble. And how could she even get away with it anyways?

"I saw your session, and when I asked Midoriya-kun for the truth, I read his reaction. No one really said it to me directly but from your reaction too, it's obvious."

He grits his teeth. "So? What? You think that'll change anything? Just 'cuz you know?"

"Please relax. I don't blame you."

He pauses in surprise. Almost like that old hag, it's almost as if she can read his thoughts. In reality, all she did was read his expression. Without a doubt, he looked "guilty". If she knows the truth, then from his point of view, she knows that he caused this, that he destroyed Izuku Midoriya, that this was all his fault. But she just said she didn't blame him. Was that really true? It couldn't be.

"Or rather, I don't now… I'll be honest. I don't want to forgive you after the awful things you did to Midoriya-kun. You remember, don't you? That I love him. That's why I can't just forgive you the way he can."

Her words stab right through him mercilessly. Finally… Someone telling him the truth… that he's a scumbag who doesn't deserve forgiveness. It hurts, but someone finally had to say it. Those guys downstairs would never understand. They kept blaming themselves or blaming Midoriya even, but none of them had the guts to blame Bakugo, not when he was already punishing himself. That's why this honesty, like a winter wind, is sharp but refreshing. And that's the biggest reason why he lets her continue.

"I don't want to forgive you… but I know that Midoriya-kun would never forgive me for that. He saw how hard you were working… all for him… He just didn't want to believe it. He was afraid to."

"…S'cuz I didn't do it for him." She stares closely at his expression. "I did it 'cuz I wanted to be the best… I was using him…"

"Lies."

"…S'not a lie. I never fucking cared about him."

"You did."

She can see him growing irritated. "…I've always wanted to be the best. Always did whatever it took. I didn't care who I had to step on to make it to the top." His volume is steadily growing. "You gonna sit there and tell me that wasn't real? That my whole life was a lie?!" He doesn't look at her, almost as if he's screaming at himself. "You don't know jack shit! Just 'cuz you're in love with'im doesn't mean you know either of us! You can't help us! You can't fix us! There's nothing… to even fix anymore!" He pants a little. "So just… g—"

"'Midoriya'"

He resists the urge to glare at her, hoping she'll just leave before he bursts into tears again.

But instead, she says, "Just now, you called him 'Midoriya'… Not 'Deku'… Was that… 'because you wanted to win'?"

His breath halts. And as much as he wants to stop his eyes from watering, his body just won't listen to him. He really wishes she would just leave. He wishes everyone would just leave him alone. Stop trying to convince him that he's not as bad as he thinks. After what he did to Midoriya, no one can change his mind. But as usual, no one fucking listens to him. And now even his own damn body won't listen as his tears fall out again, accompanied by quiet sobs.

"Who… are you trying to 'win' against?"

…Me… I'm… the worst… I fucking… hate myself. Is that what you wanna hear? Well, who the fuck cares? It doesn't fucking matter now. Me hating myself isn't gonna save him.

Rose can just barely read his expression. But this time it's not because she's seen it enough times before. It's because something about it triggers something in her. A few memories she thought she had overcome end up rushing back in. They're memories of Taka's abuse, of her own helplessness, trying to cover up her fear with denial, becoming so numb to the pain that she couldn't let herself feel anything anymore. She even remembers the occasional similar expression Midoriya-kun had had in front of her. And the one thing all of those memories have in common… when she focuses again on Bakugo's face, she understands. It's "self-loathing".

That's why the next words that come out of her mouth surprise even her. "You're not the only one who's hated yourself."

He doesn't even try to look at her. He's tired. "Goddammit! Get out!"

She doesn't. "I've… I've felt that way my entire life!" she blurts. "But today! Today was different! Today I got the chance to be what I've always wanted!"

"I said, 'Get out!'" This time he turns to her, eyes wild and red.

"And it was all because I didn't give up! Because Midoriya-kun told me not to give up! I'm here now because of him! And so are you!"

He stands up. She pauses as he stands there looming over her, trying to catch his breath from the sobbing. Then he slowly raises a fist, giving her a clear threat, a chance to run away before he swings that fist down on her skull. He won't use his quirk. He doesn't need to.

She stands up too if only to truly meet him eye to eye, but he still avoids those eyes, feeling the weight of her scrutiny. "I'm willing to bet…" she continues, "I want to believe that we were both meant to meet him! To be changed by him! That's why you're here right now, Bakugo-kun! To make a choice! To make the bravest choice of your life when you've never felt more hopeless! You're the one who has to decide to be a hero! And a hero never gives up!"

...That… sounds like something Midoriya would say. But… But he did give up. On me… on everything. And if he gives up, then what can I…?

"He's waiting for you."

His eyes lock on hers. And for the first time, he really stares into them. They look… different. They look…

"Finally… You're finally looking at me properly." A faint smile teases on her lips. She reaches for his fist, still a bit raised, and holds it gently, slowly pulling it back down. "Midoriya-kun is waiting… I believe… he's waiting for you to show him… that you could change because of him… that when you fight against yourself, and you're certain you'll lose… just remembering him will give you strength."

His hand trembles as he stares at her. How can she say that? …Just 'cuz she looks happy now? Just 'cuz she's… almost like a different person now? Does she really think it's that easy for him? To just think of Midoriya and instantly change? …He's already done that… over and over, and it didn't do jack shit…

"One more time," he hears her say. "I know you think you've already given everything." Her face turns pleading. "But for Midoriya-kun's sake, as well as your own, do it all again… one more time… You're Katsuki Bakugo. The person Midoriya-kun believed in more than anyone else. That's why you can do it."

Those words… This chick… really believes that… all 'cuz of him? Did Midoriya really drill it into her head that much? But… he could picture it. He could picture Midoriya telling anybody who had ears that "Kacchan can do it", that he can be a hero. He can really imagine it… that damn nerd telling Bakugo that no matter who he faces, even himself, he'll win…

Because you're Kacchan.

And he bursts again.

Tearing his hand away, he then grabs her shoulders, face turned down down at the floor, unconsciously hiding his overflowing eyes from her. "Then… Tell me what I should do!" he sobs, "Tell me! I want to save him! I just… I want… to be a hero! His… His hero!" That's right. He had given up. He had given up on becoming the hero Midoriya needed. After all, just hoping would never be enough. He needed proof. He needed to know for certain. He needed to see that look in those big eyes one more time, hear that confident voice say those words one more time. Even if…

Even if they go on like that forever. Even if he spends the rest of his life doing his best, messing everything up, getting broken and lost, and then trying again "one more time"… Even that would be better than this… than giving up completely. After all, it's not like he wanted to give up. But he was sure he had no choice! That's why now… "If you can't tell me what I should do, I'll blow your ass sky high! T… Take responsibility… 'One more time'… Load of bullshit… If I don't even fucking know where to start, then…"

Unfazed by his screaming, she asks, "You… You don't have any ideas? Anything you haven't tried? Just think… What would make Midoriya-kun proud of you?"

At first he's certain he doesn't know. But then… he remembers. Their goal from the beginning. All Bakugo wanted was to ace the assignment, but Midoriya wanted… Bakugo looks up at Rose again finally, and the "Aha!" moment is written clearly on his face.

And she gets excited. "You found it? What is it?"

His gaze floats down a bit. "Something I… want to protect."

Something he's been trying to protect for a while now. Something that he would give his life to save. And he can't forgive himself for letting it get hurt.

And she can tell, from the sudden softness on his face and in his eyes, exactly who he's thinking of.