Katsuki, about a decade later, glares at the direction of the 'camera', looking strangely vacant.
"Never mind," Hagakure sputters.
"Woah! Time skip indeed!" Kaminari puts it simply with raised eyebrows.
"There he is!" Kirishima laughs, more excited to see the more 'recent action' onscreen.
Midoriya shudders at the weirdly blank looking Bakugou that is shown, looking still mildly irritated but far from the usual.
The blond student seems to be sitting behind a desk at a U.A. classroom, similar to 1-A's, though some of the other seats are occupied with unrecognizable students.
"Who are those people?" Ojirou asks.
Yamada pipes up, "That's class 1-C!" he informs happily.
"Wow. Now I feel like a jerk."
"What the hell is this shit?!" Bakugou spits, "Why the fuck would I be in that losers' class?!"
"Because of your Quirk." Shinsou mutters. Kayama and Aizawa nod wistfully.
"And they're not losers," Nezu says lowly, maybe not explaining himself for the many rational reasons the teen's statement is plain wrong. Like for example, the other Bakugou is there, apparently. Current Bakugou would like to argue, but doesn't.
Shitty U.A. and their stupid entrance exams. Yeah, because there's a bigger chance any of them will encounter a giant ass robot in the wild and not – let's say – a human fucking being.
Midoriya heaves a sigh. At least his personality had stayed the same. He never thought he would be glad of that.
There is no goddamn way that hiring some poor extras for this is more expensive than a fucking hunk of metal that was deemed quite literally useless. And not only fucking that – as it turns out, fucking Deku managed to find a place in that shitty class 1-A because he cheated like a little bitch, probably.
"Cheated?" Uraraka repeats, "Deku in no shape or form cheated! I was there for it!" she defends before grimacing, remembering the zero pointer and shudders.
Midoriya and All Might exchange wary glances.
"Okay, am I the only one thinking it's weird that Bakkun doesn't look like he's about to explode?" Sero questions.
"It is quite disturbing." Satou agrees.
"Your face is disturbing!" Bakugou barks.
"He doesn't look like he's about to explode because he can't," Shinsou deadpans.
Todoroki looks thoughtfully at the tired looking boy, "Do you think Quirks and personality correlate?"
Midoriya gives him a wide eyed look before jolting down notes in his notebook at the speed of light.
"Maybe he'll be more emotional, then!" Kaminari suggests.
Jirou raises an eyebrow at the Bakugou onscreen, face still strangely void, "Maybe the opposite…"
Now that he thinks about it… What even is Deku's Quirk? After his own Quirk was revealed all those years ago fairly quickly around his other tiny peers, Katsuki had to start leaving his lackeys – and Deku –and fend for himself – since the others deemed him as villainous and got him into trouble like the assholes they are. He had no time nor desire to snoop around that freckled loser.
Midoriya pouts at the screen. So this Bakugou was busy being bullied to notice that he was Quirkless? He's assuming that either since the other kids were focusing their hatred towards the blond they didn't care as much about him, or that Bakugou was the one who made the whole bullying Midoriya thing worse than what it could've been. Or he was hiding in different bathroom stalls than the freckled boy and just didn't hear the shocking news.
But seeing that he still has his arrogance, he guesses Bakugou had it less badly. Bullying can really do things to a person, especially for something that isn't going to change in a person or its perspective by other people – like a Quirk or lack thereof.
But… Well, now that he thinks about it, there's a possibility that this alternate universe's Midoriya does have a more natural Quirk, maybe.
"So you really just blindly hate him, huh?" Mina says, directing at Bakugou.
"He's an annoying nerd with a savior complex."
"Sorry to break it to you, Hun, but you're also a nerd."
"I need to assess shit and understand crap for that stupid Quirk, and to get an advantage!"
"Bad news," Kirishima joins, "You're also a nerd here."
"No, I'm just not a fucking dumbass!"
But that doesn't matter. He doesn't care what that Deku is doing. Katsuki will get into the heroics course. The sports festival will come, and he'll absolutely dominate that crap. He's going to be the number one top pro-hero, no matter what anyone else thinks. They'll all eat their bullshit back up until they're fucking full and kissing his legs with their disgusting mouths. This is all just temporary. He'll get there, even if takes a little time, and he'll leave this shitty class in the dust after him.
"Très intense, yeah?" Aoyama murmurs.
"I think it's super manly! Nothing's greater than determination!"
Before anything happens, though, he needs to study his competitors, so he goes to check up on what the hype is all about at class 1-A. Apparently, they got attacked by villains not too long ago, somehow. Jesus Christ. Already. Anyways, as it turns out, that class 1-B and some extra he faintly recognizes from his own class had the same idea.
"Yeah, the start to our year wasn't all that great, huh?" Midoriya chuckles nervously.
Todoroki looks at him, "Just the start?"
"So if Bakubro didn't get into 1-A, who did?" Kirishima wonders.
"Probably someone from 1-B." Aizawa informs.
Pushing himself to the front of the pile gathered around the top class' door, Katsuki looks around at the students, looking rather impassive. Straight away there's an annoying face in front of him.
"Well, now we know who replaced him…" Tokoyami murmurs.
"Hah! Look at all these wannabes staring us down!" Some rich looking snarky blond barks, "Came here to scoop out the competition, huh?"
"That's exactly right!" Some silver haired sharp teethed teen shouts from behind Katsuki, right into his ear, "Class 1-B will have you in the bag this year! And the next, and the next!" he exclaims, what has to be the rest of his class cheering behind him and making the spiky blond's eye twitch.
"I'm surprised Bakugou's eyes aren't, uh… drier, like Shota's, don't you think?" Yamada wonders.
"He probably didn't have a lot of people to practice his Quirk on," Midoriya replies.
Bakugou pipes up, "The Quirk probably keeps that emotion in you at least for a while after it's used. Emotions usually just don't disappear, even with Emotion Vision deactivated, probably," he says bluntly, not looking off of the screen, "It most likely takes time for the opponent to get their head straight after the effect of the Quirk."
Midoriya looks, astonished at Bakugou before writing down more notes. Has he been paying more attention and thinking of it more in depth than he had thought?
Katsuki simply rolls his eyes at the noise – he already gets enough of that with the ringing of his Quirk. He scans the classroom he's in front of, still looking blank until his eyes fall on a familiar head of green curls,
"Oh, K-Kacchan, hi!" Deku waves shyly. Katsuki grinds his teeth. "I didn't realize you got into U.A., too! Hah, I guess that's ironic, right? That the two who people thought wouldn't get in, did?"
Katsuki holds himself from glaring. 'Didn't realize he got in'? Not that he cares what Deku does and thank fuck he still isn't following him like a little stalker, but seriously? He didn't think of Katsuki when he signed up for U.A. at all? That was his fucking dream since forever. He was even there when they both got berated for choosing that same high school, goddamn it! Did he actually forget? Or did he just think he wouldn't get in?
"Oh wow, Midoriya! That's harsh," Sero hoots.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Yea, man! This Midoriya sounds like a dick!" Kaminari testifies.
"Wait, why did you get shunned for choosing U.A.?" Iida asks the greenette, "I don't see why you wouldn't go there."
"Uhm… I just didn't show my Quirk that often, since I wasn't good at using it, you know?"
"Ah, I see. Very responsible of you!"
But Katsuki guesses he can't be too fucking mad. He also didn't know Deku got in, in the end. He still doesn't know his stupid Quirk, really. Or why he apparently had trouble with the other kids in the last school. He looks the boy up and down, not letting any of his emotions show on his face. He'll probably be able to use him later.
"I sure hope none of you have this mentality?" Nezu raises an eyebrow at the class, sipping at his tea.
They all shake their heads hastily, "Nah," Kirishima smiles, "Bakugou might say he's using us, but he lovers us, really!"
"Fuck off, Shitty Hair. I don't!"
"Aww, look at him lying and stuff!" Mina chuckles.
Midoriya looks at his lap with a frown, knowing that some sort of person, even from the multiverse, got so sad over him, even if it was a different version, made him feel upset. "Kacchan, I hope you know I support you anywhere, anytime!" he announces as cheerily as he can.
"Yeah, yeah. I know, nerd. Now quiet down." he huffs with a light blush.
Midoriya beams before turning to the screen again just to pause. "A-and you, too, Shinsou. I support you no matter what!"
"Uhm, thanks? You, too… I guess."
Over the annoying, loud voices, a more monotone voice speaks, "And remember that the festival is also an opportunity for kids from the general department to transport to the hero course," the purple extra from Katsuki's class says, "so don't get too ahead of yourselves. This is more than just some competition." Eye Bags gives the blond a respectable glance before stalking away.
Was this his way of offering support?
"Aww, Shinsou! Teamwork! Hell yeah!" Uraraka cheers.
Shinsou gives her a strained smile but says nothing.
This might be Purple Face's way of telling Katsuki that he'll support him, but he knows better than that. For all he knows, he might just be looking to take advantage of the emotion changer, not looking for any friends or alliances in the long run, but a better chance at the number one spot. That might go both ways.
Shinsou bites at his lip, guilty. That's probably what is happening there. It really felt like an 'eat or be eaten' kind of world back then, and he did what he felt he needed to do. Even if it makes him feel a little nauseas.
"Man this A.U. is no fun!" Kaminari whines.
"Yeah, seriously, I hate seeing Baku like this!" Mina says.
"What the hell do you mean."
"Just, like. You deserve friends, yo!"
"Thanks, I'd actually rather not have to deal with you fuckers all day." he scoffs.
"Nah, he loves us." Sero nods.
Nezu sips from his tea. He wonders how many students in the general department where looking to be in the hero course. Of course, they can't just let anyone in just because they wanted to, since the entrance exam is there for a reason. But maybe they should look into a different kind of method to test the young ones' skills.
"Oh! Then, Kacchan! We can be in the same class again!" Deku beams, probably excited to see his childhood friend again. After all, when Katsuki's Quirk became known, they never really talked. And the blond refused to engage in any sort of conversation with him when their parents met up for dinner or something. Not like they talked about their Quirks or anything in those meals. It was kind of a sensitive subject for Katsuki.
Deku looks at him with a hopeful smile and shiny eyes, "I'll do my best to help you!"
"What a supportive little bean!" Hagakure coos.
"B-bean?!" Midoriya stutters, face red.
"Yes, like a bean." Todoroki agrees earnestly. Uraraka and Shinsou nod. Possibly even more students, but the freckled teen has his back towards them.
"This has to be some sort of karma." the greenette murmurs.
Katsuki feels a light blush creep upon his cheeks. He's learned to control his facial expressions in aid to use his Quirk more affectively, but this kind of stuff isn't something he can really control. Deku might have forgotten about him, but he still missed him, as it turns put. He's learned to control his emotions in aid to use his Quirk more affectively, but he can't help the warm, gross and gooey feeling slushing around in his chest.
"Okay, scratch that," Kaminari says, "This is hella wholesome."
"Please let them be friends," Jirou pleads, "That's something we all need, right?"
"They would be a nice combination," Yaomomo says, "A boy who can mostly control his feelings, and one that, uh. Can't."
Midoriya and Bakugou exchange a passive glance before hastily turning away.
"Life would be easier if they were amis, I think." Aoyama agrees.
"Your Quirk better be good, Deku."
"Yeah! Midoriya's Quirk is really something, alright!" some pink cheeked girl says,
"Man, your last name coming from my mouth sounds so strange, Deku." Uraraka chuckles.
"Yeah, why does it sound so wrong?" he mutters.
"It's ultra-super strong!" she announces. Katsuki figuratively raises an eyebrow. Seriously, Deku? The nervous kid with no talents gets a great Quirk but he doesn't? He'll be the judge of that. "Are you his friend," Cheeks directs at the blond, "Uh, Kacchan?"
"Bakugou," he mutters through clenched teeth.
"S-sorry, that's just a childhood nickname," the freckled teen mumbles… Has he always been this jacked?
"Checking him out, eh?" Kaminari muses.
Bakugou shudders with a scowl, "Gross, no."
"People, more commonly boys, tend to assess a person's level of strength the moment they see them, mostly unintentionally. Since you're looking to be pro-heroes, this urge might come in more intensely." Kayama says factually.
The electric blond purses his lips, "O-oh, okay."
"But, yeah. We used to be childhood friends – he was my first friend, actually," Deku goes on to explain, "But we haven't had time to talk in uhm, a while." He looks at Katsuki, like he's expecting something. He has no idea what he wants.
"Well, good luck with that," the rich looking smug kid says, "We'll be the one to come on top – good luck with beating us, class 1-A!" he announces. Katsuki sidesteps him, pushing himself away from riled crowd.
"Weird how things end up," Mei says, looking at the Monoma onscreen.
Kirishima nods, "Being supportive of your class only because you're in it is so not manly."
Katsuki heaves a sigh after he leaves the bundle of screeching teenagers, walking back to his classroom, blank expression still firmly placed over his face.
"W-wait, Kacchan!"
Katsuki turns around at the call, watching the green haired dolt weave through the students and run up to him like an idiot before he slams himself against the blond with a hug which almost has him toppling over. Jesus, how strong is he? "Get off me, dumbass." he grits.
"S-sorry!" Deku squeaks, pealing himself away, "But, uhm. I, uh, am really glad to see you again," he sputters, "Do you wanna train with me for the festival? And uhm, with my other friends…" he mumbles.
The kids sit up at the edge of their seat, awaiting Bakugou's answer. Speaking of the blond, he's currently in the middle of trying to bite the inside of his cheek off entirely.
Katsuki stares at him vacantly as ever.
"Man, I'm not gonne get used to that face," Mina sighs. Sero hushes her.
"And, uhm, I-I'd love for us to be in the s-same class again, really. And, uh. I'm sorry we didn't have time to spend together since the uh, yeah. I still feel guilty about that." he says quietly, "I should've been there for you…"
"See?" Bakugou barks, "Savior complex!"
"B-but, Kacchan! I was your only friend! I should have been there for you."
He scoffs, "Not like I didn't do the same thing, Shitty Nerd."
Midoriya pouts at him thoughtfully. But in that universe, he didn't know the greenette was bullied… right? so what is he trying to say?
"Whatever." There's a pause, "And of course I'm gonna be in 1-A, Deku!"
The shorter teen gives him a sly smirk, "With those wimpy arms? Come on, Kacchan."
"The fuck you say?" he grits, clearly trying to not let his mask slip.
"I'm saying you need to work out."
"Oof!" Uraraka huffs.
"I work out, you ass!"
"Yeah, well. Prove it!"
"I will!"
"Good! This afternoon, at my place!" he barks with a smile, "And I'm inviting my friends!"
"Then prepare for all of you shitheads to get your game on until you pass out. Because I'm a very stubborn person. And I'm very good at my Quirk." He mutters, hands on his hips.
"That's not healthy, Kacchan!"
"Shut it, Deku. See ya, or whatever." he says before turning around aloofly.
"See you, kacchan!" he calls happily. Dolt.
"Man, I'm so excited to see the festival!" Mina admits. A lot of the others nod.
Bakugou frowns at the screen. He's not really sure how to feel about that.
The screen fades to black.
"Wait what?" Satou asks in between the confused and disappointed murmurs of the room.
"My Quirk can only work for a while before I get too tired, sorry." The kids whip their heads to stare at Hatada, where she lays lazily on the couch, school work forgotten and candy worm hanging off her mouth like a second tongue. They honestly forgot she was there… "Or it might be that this is where the A.U. ends – since some can be in the past or future. Or that the rest is not important and significant enough to show."
"I doubt it's the latter." Shouji expresses. She shrugs.
"I haven't really been paying attention."
"That's alright," Nezu announces, "It's getting quite late, anyways. You do have school tomorrow kids. We can continue this tomorrow."
The students begrudgingly get up from their seats and exit the room, some visiting the bathrooms attached at one of the side-walls before they leave. Nezu and Aizawa walk towards Hatada, who waits for them next to where she was sitting,
"I'm sorry, I know this is probably not what you wanted…" she voices.
"That's quite alright," Nezu reassures her, "We might not have gotten what we were looking for, but this experience did teach us some other things. And not only that, we felt that this was a nice, safe way of letting the class bond."
"Oh, uh. Thanks."
"What we're trying to ask," Aizawa speaks, "Is if it's alright we do this again? We'll only continue if you agree, of course. And you'll get extra bonus point in Community. And… free food, I guess."
"Oh," Hatada smiles, "Of course! This was uh, actually really nice," she blushed a light blue, "I'm glad I was able to make your class happy. And… the free food."
"Great. So you'll be okay same time tomorrow?"
"Sure!" She then turns around towards the exit. Usually this is the part where she grabs a few of the tiny plastic cups provided next to the juice bottles and takes as much candy and snacks she can, but she's kind of tired. She'll be able to eat more tomorrow anyways.
While the girl was walking towards her dorm rather sluggishly, 1-A were busy entering their own building, some students already starting to make dinner.
Bakugou was fiddling with an unopen bag of salt in the kitchen when someone bumped into him and almost made him drop the damned thing. "Hey, watch where you're fucking going!" he barks as he whirls around.
Shinsou, who apparently was the one to knock into him lightly, looks at him coolly before opening his mouth. But instead of grumbling out an apology or spitting a curse, he blurts, "I think it would have worked the other way around, too."
Bakugou frowns. "What."
The tired teen glances awkwardly away, "I just thought. That instead of being careful and lashing out on the enemy when they don't expect it – if you manage to convince yourself enough that you're going to win the fight, the enemy might be too over their heads to combat well against whatever assisting weapon you'll choose, if your tactics are good enough, I guess. I dunno."
Bakugou glares at him, mouth hanging slightly open, "You do realize that that information is of no use to me in this universe, right?"
He shrugs, "Yeah. I was just thinking about it. Doesn't really make sense, though." he drawls before stalking away without another word much like his other self.
The blond watches him go for a moment before shaking his head and going back to the task in hand, his salt.