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❝Awake❞
⎯

"We...need to talk."

The vents roared with cool oxygen, bursting within the walls-shared by others in their dormitory. Though her skin was spoiled with air conditioning, hearing those four words filled her with scorching tension.

Along with that sensation came inescapable heat, dreaded in gushes of waves and laced between chills. A bead of sweat drizzled down her cheek, and though it wasn't visible to the naked eye, the feeling was definitely there. Y/N was actually nervous for once, but not because of that patronizing aura of his.

'B...

Bakugou Katsuki wants to come inside my room, and he actually doesn't want to beat my face in!

Should I let him?

I don't want to disturb the others by being too loud...

Not in an inappropriate way or anything! I, I just don't want him to shout, haha...'

So much for her break after yet another training session with two other students: Tsuyu Asui and Minoru Mineta. They were already able to get any real learning in, with Mineta perving around Tsuyu.

On her face was a smile pulled upwards by the crevices of her lips, staring blankly at the taller male in silence. It made him uncomfortable to the point of speaking in a roused tone, but she were too busy processing his words in contemplation.

"We can talk out here, not that I care! I just wanted to-"

Oka's fingers snaked around his left bicep before he could finish his rebuddle, the sudden cool, yet warm touch had shaken his senses. Bakugou was one to never let his guard down, always on edge even in the own comfort of his home, not this time though. Oka wondered how she was the only one to hear it, not him.

The door's hinges creaked right as the it pressed forward, unveiling a certain redhead from behind the wood. Though his hardening quirk wasn't active, they could hear his heavy steps closing in on them, rhythmic and steady.

He didn't stop, fortunately. A hand hovered over his mouth as a ball of liquid sat leisurely at the corner of his eye, releasing a drowsy yawn. Kirishima was making his way to the bathroom, his hair straight and flattened.

With the help of her petrifying reaction-time, in which had left Bakugou wordless, Oka was able to close the door before Kirishima could spot them, but not all the way. She would once he was out of sight to avoid being seen in such a predicament-it was like this wasn't her first time.

"Whew..." She exhaled. "Being caught with you would have been terrible..." After saying this, she slowly turned back to face the blond who loomed behind her in promised quietude. Bakugou had taken what was said a little closer than his heart, proof of that sensitivity he owns somewhere inside, covered by a complex.

Glaring, he scowled. "What's that supposed to mean, huh?" Oka was taken aback by his sudden aggression, something that came in frequent, uncontrollable bursts. "N-Nothing, I didn't mean anything by it! But, Bakugou..."

Oka started to fiddle with the flesh surrounding her thumbs in angst. His reasons for missing out on an hour's sleep must have been important; /she/ must've been important. It was atypical of him. "Why did you even come here in the first place?"

That anger ultimately subsided as his brows aligned straight once more, given indication he was becoming quite serious. The tension flaunted in the room sealed her lips shut, forcing her pupils into a tango with his red ones.

Regardless of what it was, she had to lift the atmosphere ASAP!

After pulling her hands apart, Oka cupped her cheeks gently, resting its warmth into her pink palms. With a turn of her head and a slight tilt, Oka closed her eyes, swaying delicately. "I know I'm irresistible, but I would have never guessed /Bakugou/ would crush on a nobody like me~"

That was enough to provoke the blond, whose brow began to twitch in relentless spasms. "I don't know what's gotten into that big head of yours, but there's no way in hell I'd ever crush on a weak, hero wanna-be like you", he exclaimed with boundless animosity.

As response, Oka simply giggled. They were fundamentally composed of joy and amusement, but there was a kind of cumbersome melancholy present. Bakugou showed not even the slightest bit of remorse for being the cause of Oka's dispirited state, and only continued.

"I came here to let you know...I don't regret what I said." 'What...he said?' Provided absolutely no other context, countless assumptions aroused almost in an instant. He might've been recurring this evening's events. She still wanted to be certain however. "What do you-"

Bakgou's head turned to his left, while Oka turned to her right. There was that knocking they trembled in worry about, resonating in a metrical echo. That alone alerted them to movement outside the door; to /someone/, outside that door. But...who?

It took a few seconds for Oka to realize what kind of situation they were in: a late-night discussion in a female's bedroom, one-on-one. It was just as innocent as it sounded.

Yep.

"Crap, Bakugou! You have to hide!"

"But where!?" He whispered in exchange. The ash blond did it well for a male as loud and rowdy as himself, but not quite flawlessly executed. He was still truculent, boosting his tone unintentionally.

Oka shifted her gaze over to her bed. It was too shallow and close to the floor; he wouldn't be able to squeeze himself under unless he was some kind of skilled manipulator of flesh. Seiji Shishikura would come in real handy right now...

Meanwhile, Bakugou took the same split second to look over to her dresser. A literal dresser, not a closet. She must have been the female to prefer folded her clothes (or stuff them roughly inside the drawers disorganized), instead of hanging them up. A closet would've been perfect...

"The...hide behind the door!" Oka pointed. Along with her words, she pressed her hands against his shoulder blades, shoving him forward; all while another set of knocks grazed her door.

Once Bakugou was concealed right next to her, to her left, she placed a hand on the door handle. She spared him one more glance.

Inhale...exhale...she was feeling just fine. She'd use the excuse she was sleeping, as for the late response time. Then soon enough, her door swung open.

The male blinked in surprise, with already a hand rubbing his neck in concern, uncertainty, and hesitation. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you,
Oka." She, herself, wasn't expecting to see /him/ of all people. Though astonishment had ran its course briefly, she was left observing him after that.

It was Kirishima, dressed as he was right before he went to the bathroom-to where she assumed, at least. His hair was something she believed she would never get used to, subjected to the gravitational pull wearing his red hair straight and loose.

"It's fine, I was having a bit of trouble sleeping, anyway", Oka said as she waved a dismissive gesture. "So, what's up?"

"Have you seen Bakugou around? I knocked on his door, but he didn't answer, so I went inside 'cause I thought he was sleeping. I wanted to give back this book he lent me on Hero tips, but he wasn't there." Bakugou's expression contorted into full-fledged annoyance. It was possible to hide him, but impossible to conceal his malice.

'That dimwit went into my room without permission?!' Bakugou thought.

"Maybe he's in the bathroom? Why not check there?" Kirishima lowered his hand as he shook his head, prepared for her reprimand. "I was just in there; it was completely empty. I came here to see if you've heard anything from him."

Oka lips twitched involuntarily, faking a look of concern. 'Nice to know you have such a caring friend, Bakugou...' He, himself, let out a quiet and grumpy 'tch'. "No…but maybe he's out training!"

He nodded. "Yeah, you're probably right. I should leave him alone then", he replied as he turned halfway. "Have a good night, Oka!' Even at the darkest of times, late in time of numbers, Kirishima was quite energetic. His beaming joy irradiated until he was shut behind his door.

Finally, she could breathe! Instead of choking in Bakugou's hostility. After waving the male goodbye, Oka closed her own door and turned to face the other, who had reverted back to his calm ways in recollection.

Something was on his mind, maybe he had come here to relinquish that stress. Though someone watching, lurking within the sidelines of that belonging to darkness, and had returned to his room.

Bakugou's zoned his red eyes onto her, breaking apart from the wooden flooring underneath their toes. With mild severity, he asked, "is it me, or does it feel like we're being watched?"

Oka's hand glided back to her side as mused a chuckle. "That's the paranoia of standing in a female's room, which, now...I think you should get going. Whatever you want to talk about, we can discuss it in the morning!" It felt like there is too much to risk by standing alone with each other.

Her instincts aren't too wrong.

"Whatever, you damn weirdo."

Bakugou was leaned against Oka's wall as he waited for the brief encounter to end, with his hands shoved inside the comfort of his bagged pockets. "When I told you to fight if you want to live earlier..."

Oka stepped off to the side, a courteous instinct whenever someone walked by. She was interested in what he had to say, but never expected it to be now...her proposition was completely discarded.

He kicked himself up from him resting position, and marched in front her, placing his dominant hand against the knob. "You better give it your all, wanna-be." This is his attempt to...reconcile? With her?

The general message wasn't difficult to understand, though it was poorly conveyed and carried a bunch of loose ends. It was up to her how she interpreted it, and what she would do with these generous words of inspiration. Her answer was found shortly after.

"Then!"

The door stopped along with a creak, just as Bakugou had stilled in place. "I'll become a hero...just like the rest of you!" Conjured mysteriously was a dash of confidence that could never be gained whenever she was in his presence.

In fear he's spout out something nonsensical about her speech, she lowered her chin as well as her tone. "If...that's okay with you."

He said nothing-this utter silence is what the two drowned in for seconds, what felt like hours. "Of course, that's fine with me." He turned his head slightly, "Just don't go thinkin' you got what it takes to beat me, like Deku. It's already a pain in the ass with him on my plate."

On that note, the blond closed the door behind him. The click it noised was brought something lonesome along with its chime, leaving her to bask in the emptiness of her room. Bakugou was no longer around to ignite a flame of guidance.

He isn't nearly as terrible and impulsive as he portrays himself to be all over the globe; maybe, just maybe, it was that innate ability of expertise that got him so far. He's not a guy that doesn't think and relies on strength alone; in fact, he's always analyzing...processing. Learning how to be the best.

However, his light wasn't needed-not anymore.

Because...

An encouragement, a single smile, a goal roused the thirst of victory in you.

⎯
Chapter End