Chapter 25:

This is not a Katsuki Bakugou Redemption Arc.

"You have to be kidding me." Bakugou facepalmed himself after seeing the kid. He had his black hair slicked back like a chump. His skin was pale and so were his grey eyes. The kid was wearing what looked like a casual business attire and seemed tall for a kid. He's currently playing on a console. Every part of him spells 'brat'. The kid gave him a dismissive look, a judging stare, and an indifferent snort in the span of three seconds. This is his punishment now. Maybe he'll be a good person for once to make this stop. "He's the quirkless son of a rich business man. The kid's name is Shinda Kinjitsu. You'll be in charge of him for the week."

"When are we going?" The kid asked impatiently. Bakugou grind his teeth in annoyance of the brat in front of him. "The kid's probably a pussy when I threaten him."

"Oi, shut up, kid."

"If you plan to kill me, just make it quick or something." Okay, something was really wrong with this kid. Never before has he been astounded by the sheer bullshittery of the situation, let alone a situation caused by someone he really shouldn't care too much about. This kid is just another job, but damn they are too young to be suicidal.

"Other than that, I expect this kid to still be safe by the end of the week. Do not fail me, Bakugou." Aizawa glared at him as a warning of him ever trying anything to harm this kid. After a few seconds, his homeroom teacher left the room in the hotel, leaving Bakugou and Shinda alone. He looked at the stacks of consoles and video game cartridges laying all over the room. The kid was obviously a gamer. Hell, Shinda's even using his Switch right now.

He checked up the schedule Aizawa gave him for the kid's daily activities. He already got his breakfast, so now it's lunch time for him. "Oi, squirt, we're going out."

The kid responded by giving him a questioning look. Bakugou doesn't know why but he was sure this kid was condescending him. "What's with the stupid look, brat?"

"You sure you want us to go out, mister?"

"YEAH! I AM! SHUT UP AND LET'S GO!" He exclaimed at the kid while forcefully grabbing his hand. Why is this kid looking so worried? It's just a trip to a fast-food chain. Nothing could go wrong.

Act 1

Foolish Kids

Bakugou was painfully reminded that day that this kid IS the son of a very wealthy businessman. The moment they stepped out of the goddamn fast-food with Chinese take out, a couple of thugs tried to ambush them. Tried. "How wealthy is this kid's dad that they get attacked on a daily basis?"

"Hang back, brat." The kid did as he was told, as if he was already used to this. Shinda wasn't even afraid or nervous at all. Bakugou had this dreadful feeling that the kid has been desensitized by all of this. Ambush and kidnapping attempts like this shouldn't be common to this kid's life.

"Oi, just give us the kid and we'll let you go." The thug juggled his knife with a cheshire grin on his face. His friends were wielding different weapons ranging from pipes to baseball bats. This isn't looking too good but nothing Bakugou can't handle. "Like hell I'm giving the little brat to you."

"Hurry up already." The kid whined impatiently. Bakugou was tempted to give the kid away but that would have cost him his already slim chances of staying at UA. He decided leaving the kid was not worth the effort and went to deal with the thugs himself. The fuckers tried to use their quirks on him to get the upper hand but he simply blasted everything they threw at him. He growled in annoyance as they kept being delusional and thought it would still work against him. He finished them off with another large explosion into the alleyway, leaving them all unconscious. If he was being honest, he never would have called the ambulance and just let them lie there in pain but that would mean disappointing her. He felt a slight tug at his leg and he turned around ready to fire off an explosion. He stopped when he saw it was a thug who was struggling and barely holding on at his legs.

"Wh-Why are you even protecting a quirkless little shit?"

Bakugou thought about it but he just scoffed at the question. He forcefully pulled his leg away and walked off at the entrance of the alleyway while keeping close to Shinda.

They already left before the ambulance could arrive but it's not like they'll need to stay any longer. Next up on the kid's schedule was meeting with his father. How old is this kid?

"Oi. How old are you."

"Nine."

"Christ."

"Language." He suddenly looked around when he heard Ibara's voice. Did she somehow implant some inner radio in him or does him saying curse words automatically triggers her voice in his head? He has no idea. Either way, he shook it out of his thoughts.

"Why are you shaking your head like a weirdo?"

"Shut up, brat, or I kill you."

"So?" Yep, something is wrong with this kid.

The visit to the kid's father was very lacktastic to say the least. The guy wasn't even acknowledging his own son's existence. Just the sound of his voice. Bakugou was just standing there, overhearing everything.

"The sales from our last stock increased by 23 percent thanks to the work I implemented for the employees of this company along with the good ideas you supposedly rejected, father." Bakugou has to admit, this kid is really smart for a nine year-old. Too smart. He already knew a lot about business and shit. The kid explained to the father who apparently hired Bakugou as the bodyguard. The man in question remained indifferent to his son's explanation.

"At least acknowledge the damn kid's presence." He thought to himself as he continues to listen in on their one-sided meeting. This isn't even a casual visit to the boy's father at all. This is just some business meeting. He's starting to see this kid's relationship with his family and even he feels for him.

The kid finally stopped talking and his father finally answered him with a simple huff. He saw Shinda close his hands into a fist, slightly shaking. A visible sign of anger and frustration even when the kid's face remain blank. He would've been impressed if it weren't for the pathetic situation.

Act 2

Welcome to the Human Race

It's a Wednesday. He did nothing but do chores for the little shit. Literally cook this kid's breakfast in the morning, beat the shit out of any thugs that try to get him at noon, and do the fucking laundry in the evening. Worst part is, this kid doesn't even go to school. He just does online classes.

"Bodyguard, drink." He held his hand out. Bakugou grumbled in annoyance as he handed the kid his cucumber juice. "Who the fuck drinks that shit?"

"Bodyguard."

"What?!" He hissed at the boy but the kid remained unfazed. "What's your hero name?"

"The Bombing King: Burst Damage. What's it to you?" He raised his eyebrows questioningly at the kid he's bodyguarding for. "Nothing in particular. I'm just curious, is all. You have a tendency to pop small explosions on your hands when you are either angered or frustrated. Only you can do that and it's quite idiosyncratic in nature."

"Big words kid, so mature." He rolled his eyes at the kid trying to be smart. Who cares what his habits are? "Thank you."

"Huh? What are you thanking me for?"

"Being born with no quirk and how people treat you because of it, well, you'll be forced to grow up and realize that the world will hate you for something you can't ever control." The kid refused to look at him in favor reading a few articles on his computer. "Back then, I really wanted to be a hero and even my father is on board with that. When the quirk test arrives, he never looked back at me again. Did you know I'm only quirkless by technicality? I didn't inherit father's hydrokinesis or mother's frozen breath. The doctor claimed I was an anomaly or that my quirk is so subtle that I might as well be quirkless. If anything, it wouldn't be like my parents' quirk but it doesn't matter at this point."

Bakugou tried to say something but Shinda cut him off. "Have you ever felt helpless, Burst Damage? There must be some things you can't really control. Everyone told me to give up, I never did. Well, that was the case, up until I was beaten badly for wanting to be a hero. I gave up."

"Probably because you're weak." Bakugou told him. It was the honest truth. The kid finally deadpanned at him, with his eyebrows furrowed. He glared at Bakugou for what felt like hours. Bakugou is getting little bit too uncomfortable with a 9 year old glaring at him. "Is this kid gonna sue me for being honest?"

The kid finally turned back to the computer but his typing felt a lot more intense and forced, and he's now searching mindlessly. "Is it because I'm practically quirkless?" Shinda seemed hesitant when he asked Bakugou that question. He already knew what the answer to that question will be. Everyone have and will always have the same answer to that question. His father gave the same answer. His mother gave the same answer. His older sister gave the same answer. Everyone gave the same answer.

"Are you an idiot?" That, however, was not the answer he was expecting. For the first time, his blank, condescending look was replaced with utter shock and even a slight bit of hope. "I didn't call you weak because you're quirkless. I called you weak because you just gave up after one or two beatings."

"Wh-"

"You're the type I hate the most. You don't know your place." Bakugou growled at Shinda, making him flinch. The kid didn't back down though as he snapped back at Bakugou at full force and uncharacteriscally loud voice. "I DO KNOW MY PLACE!"

"OTHERS THINK THEY KNOW YOUR PLACE AND YOU DECIDED TO FUCKING BELIEVE THEM!"

"YOU'RE DOING THE SAME THING AND THEY WERE RIGHT ANYWAY!" The kid grabbed his hair in frustration and closed his computer by kicking the damn thing hard enough to cause an automatic shut down. "I ONLY SAID YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR PLACE! I DIDN'T SAY I DO KNOW WHAT YOUR PLACE IS IN THIS GODDAMN WORLD!"

"Oh really?! What do you think of me then?!" The kid spread his arms and mockingly asked him. Bakugou just knew what to say then and there.

"You can't be a hero-"

"Because I'm practically quirkless." Shinda tried to finish but Bakugou ignored him.

"Because you're a pussy. Heroes are all about taking a beating and standing back up. That's what being the best is. You took a beating and that already broke you. So stop thinking you know your place since you never tried knowing in the first place." Bakugou slammed his hand on the desk out of anger and annoyance of having to explain something so simple to the kid.

"How am I supposed to know that when nobody believed in me?"

"Then believe in yourself, you little shit. It sounds cliche but it stands. My quirk was weak when it first appeared but I sure as hell made it stronger. No quirks are weak. People are just too stupid." He paused to catch his breath, before continuing. He realized he forgot to breath, which is idiotic for him. "Same goes for those quirkless cowards who just give up because they don't have the power to shoot lightning out of their ass. If you really just agreed with people when it comes to talking about you, then you already fucking lost."

If Bakugou is being honest, he felt like a hypocrite at this point but it looked like he got through the kid. The kid contemplated about it for a minute before closing his eyes and shaking his head. "You don't know what it's like to regret something, Bakugou." The kid is trying to change the subject and Bakugou decided to entertain him for a bit.

"I do but I'm not telling you what." He remembered the faithful day he lost someone all because he was throwing a tantrum again. Rage can be one hell of an addiction. They both said what they said. They both abandoned the other. It all went downhill from there for both of them. An endless cycle of spite and revenge that started with him and only him. He won't back down now even if it went for the worst. Bakugou buried those thoughts back into his subconscious. Whatever the case, he shouldn't be his problem anymore.

"Well-"

"Don't you fucking change the subject. The facts are laid down in front of you and I'll keep repeating it over and over. You can't be a hero because you gave up easily. You can't be a hero because you're cowardly. You can't be a hero because you stay down when you're beaten down. If you're not unconscious, then you haven't lost yet." He exploded his hands but Shinda didn't care.

"Easy for you to say. You're not even scared of anything."

"I'm scared of losing, but hey? I keep fighting anyway." Bakugou shrugged. That's not the only thing he fears. He's afraid of one other thing but it's too embarrassing to say out loud. "Is it too late to-?"

"Fuck no, c'mon we're hitting the gym."

"What?!"

"You start somewhere. You're nine, you'll start working out now. Besides, this is gonna be fun once you get used to it."

"B-But the schedu-"

"Fuck the schedule, kid. I'll be teaching you a few tricks at the gym"

"R-Right."

Intermission

Peppermint

Shoto had no idea why Aizawa sent him to therapy instead of participating in the internships. It was apparently to help him with his issues but he was sure that he had no issues. Refusing to use his father's quirk is not an issue, but here he is, facing a therapist.

The therapist looked like they came from a Hispanic descent. They had curly hair and a warm smile. He was wearing a button down shirt and dress pants and shoes. The one memorable thing about him is his scarf and the scars around his arms. Shoto was sure he had seen this person before but he couldn't tell where.

"Good day to you, Shoto. My name is Carlos Makara, I'll be your therapist for the week." He could have swore the therapist's eyes flashed red in murderous glee for a second there. "Sorry, but I don't need help."

"Oh, but you do. Is this an issue pertaining to Endeavor?"

"That's none of your-" Shoto snapped at him but Carlos simply laid a finger on his lips, shushing him to stay quiet. Therapists were supposed to make people feel comfortable, but Shoto knew that something feels wrong. "Do not worry, I will help you through this, Shoto. You just need to believe." That grin was not very ensuring to him, but he can't help but listen to Carlos. This might just be what he needs to hear.

Act 3

UA Devotee

"You fucking call that a push-up? C'mon, five more!" Bakugou encouraged(?) Shinda. They've started working out since Wednesday afternoon. The kid pale grey eyes lit up once more when he got the talking he needed. Turns out the kid only needed at least one person to be there for him. Funnily enough, Bakugou never expected it to be him. Still, he feels for Shinda when his father barely acknowledged him. The kid looked like he was about to give up but he powered through. Today's a Thursday morning and it was wise for them to take a break. No need to rush a 9 year old. One thing Bakugou knew, this kid got what it takes. All he needs now is to power him up enough.

They decided to take a break by those ramen stores at the edge of the city. Usually they make the best ramens in town and their specialty was Spicy Ramen. Something Bakugou would prefer. The original schedule planned was not really being followed anymore.

"A surprise to see you here." They heard a voice behind them. It was Aizawa-sensei along with Present Mic. Bakugou grunted before going back to slurping up his spicy ramen. Shinda waved at them awkwardly, not really used to interacting with other people.

"Say, kid, have Bakugou been giving you some trouble?" Present Mic asked Shinda in a not-so-subtle way. He intended for Bakugou to hear his question. Unfortunately for him, Bakugou was unresponsive and was still busy eating his ramen. "Umm, uh, he's not bad."

"Hizashi, stop bothering the kid." Aizawa pulled Mic away by his ear and Bakugou was a little bit thankful for that. Before going for another table, Aizawa turned to face Bakugou. "Bakugou, it's good to see that you're mellowing out even for a bit. That, however, won't take away your detention time."

"Whatever." Bakugou answered. Aizawa gave a satisfied hum before sitting Mic down on a table far enough to give Bakugou and Shinda some privacy. "Detention? What did you do?"

"A mistake." He responded quickly before going back to the Spicy Ramen he was eating. Shinda was irritated by his question being answered vaguely but he chose not to push on. He finished the ramen Bakugou recommended to him and if he's being honest, he really liked it. Not a lot of people really cared about what he wanted so he never bothered wanting anything. Right now, what he wanted more is this ramen. "You eat too much and you'll be too full to walk. Get a hold of yourself, brat."

"Okay…" He was a little disappointed but he assumed that Bakugou knew what he was doing. He decided to switch up the topic. "Quirks are a stupid name for powers."

"You're not the only one who thinks of that, brat. I mean, just call it powers. Individuality my ass, at the end of it all everyone got some kind of powers. They're so different that it makes them all the same. Really pisses me off."

"You heard when the world first feared quirks when it was discovered?" Shinda's eyes shined a bit when he found a topic his bodyguar- hero was interested in.

"HA! Those oldies are a buncha idiots. Didn't they have superhero comics back then? Why didn't they think of that?" Bakugou snorted at the thought of people being afraid of gaining cool superpowers. "Or how America remained prejudiced against quirked individuals until the quirked became the majority? It became a switch around and now the quirkless are the ones they're looking down on." Shinda added his own two cents. If there's one thing he enjoys to watch, it's people panicking too much at the good things in life.

"Fuck. Off. Seriously? Those double-standard western fucks! HAHAHAAH!"

"And then, and then Germany was the first to accept them and made them compete in the Olympics! Germany had like a six year win-streak all because every other country don't have the balls to exploit the rules!" They both laughed at it. They both enjoy watching the stupid things people do. "Oh man. You got a good head on you if you recognize stupid shit kid. Why do people even disregard you? You can do business at 9 years old! Hell, I'll even get the Pink-Hair from the Support Course to make you some multi-function suit!"

"Really? With the wrist-rockets and chest lasers?"

"Wrist rockets? I didn't even think of that! Good thinking. We can blow those villains up if we want to! Hell, forget the suit. We're going full Nanomachines to make you an instant armor. Wrist Rockets included."

"Maybe, maybe you're right, Ibara."

"Looks like the kid is enjoying his time with Bakugou." Aizawa sipped some juice while watching the two laugh together. "I dunno. The bully seems like he's still a playground insult away from exploding that kid. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time he did so."

"I doubt it. They seem to be getting along and found some common interests. Even if those common interests involves talking shit. The kid also has potential and he seems determined to be a hero. Bakugou might have an effect on him. I guess not expelling him was the right move after all."

"Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it." Present Mic huffed and crossed his arms as he continued to stay suspicious of Bakugou. Still, you rarely see him smile. They watched as the two stand up and get ready for the rest of the day. Bakugou wore his wrist gauntlets again and held the kid's hand as they walked out of the shop. It didn't last long though as the two heroes heard a scream from Bakugou and a shriek from the kid, followed by an explosion. The sound sent alarms at their head as the both of them stood up quickly and ran for the door.

When they got outside, they see destroyed property everywhere as a result of Bakugou's quirk but there were no signs of him or the kid. What they saw, however, are tire marks. "Mic."

"Right." Present Mic pulled out his phone and looked for one of the contacts. The receiver of the call quickly responded.

"Hello? Nezu speaking."

"Yeah, uh, we got a big problem."

Act 4

You'll Be Okay

Bakugou woke up in a daze. Someone had snuck up on him and the kid. He checked his surroundings to know where he is. From the looks of the crates and boxes, it seems that they're in a warehouse. The kid is in front of him, tied up. Looks like he was also tied up but he can still use his quirk. Bad thing is, his hand was positioned in a way that using it would hurt him badly. Not a good thing. A cloth was over the kid's mouth, preventing Shinda from talking. His gauntlets and grenades was set aside at the left, near them. The warehouse was surprisingly small, but then again, he assumed it is a warehouse.

"Well, well, well, both of you are finally awake." He heard a familiar voice speak with venom coming out of it.

"No…" He turned to see the source of the voice to find out who was behind the kidnapping. It was the same slime guy that attacked him all those months ago. "I thought All Might took him out!"

"I saw an opportunity to escape and I took it. I wanted revenge on All Might but I guess I have to settle for the next best thing! Luckily for me, it looked like you were also guarding a rich business man's son."

"WHEN I GET OUT OF THIS, YOU'RE DEAD!" He screamed at him but his mouth was then covered by slime. "Ah, ah, ah. You're not supposed to scream. Not yet, anyway. In fact, I'm willing to play a game. A game where I'll win no matter what and you'll lose one way or another."

Slime guy walked up to Shinda and removed the cloth. "B-Burst!"

"MMPH! MMMPHH!" Bakugou tried to yell. Anything. The slime finally got off his mouth and back to its owner. "Here's how we'll play the game. Rumors say the kid knows his dad's money is stored in a special vault and they're the only ones who had access to it. This kid knew because he had some secret hold over the company while his dad is, well, he's the owner. You know where I'm getting at."

Neither Bakugou nor Shinda likes where the Slime Guy is getting at. Suddenly, the slime shot out of the villain and punctured Bakugou's arm, making him hiss in pain. "The kid looked like he likes you or maybe not. I don't really care. I'll just torture the both of you until the kid squeals out the code to the vault. When I get the answers I want, I'll keep torturing the both of you, though, yours would be more painful. If the kid gives me the whereabouts of this said vault, I'll let him go but I'll kill you. If you tell me where Midoriya is, I'll kill the kid and let you go."

Both of them weren't ready when the torture process began. He first started with Bakugou, shooting more slime spikes into him. Enough to be painful but not enough to kill him. It felt like hours for Bakugou but he felt much worse. He had other things he needs to do. Slowly but subtly, he was slowly wriggling his arms loose from the rope that kept him tied up. He made sure to give quick glances to the kid and gave him a quiet message.

"Don't say jackshit."

Shinda reluctantly nodded while crying as the slime continued to torture Bakugou. "Tougher than you look, huh? Let's see how you'll react to the KID!" A slime spike suddenly shot out, piercing Shinda just below his armpit. The kid cried out in pain as he was impaled multiple times.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Bakugou struggled even more against his restraints. He really wanted to kill Slime Guy for real. He really do.

Shinda was feeling real pain right now. Nothing like the beatings he took from his elementary bullies. This was a new type of pain he wished he never felt. "I…I can't keep up!"

He caught a glimpse of Bakugou struggling against his restraints. "…Is he really going to save me or is he just going to save himself? Everybody else would just save themselves. Even if he's my hero… he wouldn't bother with me."

More spikes impaled him and one was dangerously penetrating his temples. He shrieked in pain as the spike goes deeper. "Nobody… people stopped caring about me. Why should I care now? Maybe I should just tell him. I'm gonna-"

"SHINDA!" His attention was caught by Bakugou, who was still struggling in his restraints, bleeding and looking worried about him. Very worried. "JUST TELL HIM! JUST TELL HIM EVERYTHING! DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME!"

The slime guy only laughed at them. "So heroic."

"He…He cared that much? We only met a few days ago. Why would he?"

"I'm so sorry you got roped into this! I really am! Just please save yourself!"

"B-But-"

"Did I stutter?!"

Shinda quickly sputtered everything he knew to Slime Man. The villain seemed satisfied, and true to his word, released him. "Run along now, kid. If you tell anyone this, I'll kill you to-"

*BOOM*

An explosion hit his eyes as Bakugou has finally managed to break free. Shinda noticed that Bakugou's left arm is dangling freely on his side while his right arm is doing most of the work. He broke free at the cost of his arm. They both hear sirens getting nearer and nearer their location but they know the heroes won't make it in time.

Bakugou needs to act quick. He targeted the eyes when he broke free and kept doing a barrage of explosions. One final explosion sent Slime Man beside Bakugou's gear.

"Time to put Hatsume's work to the test."

"ACTIVATE SELF-DESTRUCT! MAXIMUM ORDNANCE! FIVE SECONDS!" Bakugou ran ahead and grabbed the kid as the Slime Man was still in a daze.

5

He was struggling in carrying the kid towards the exit of the warehouse. Blood was sputtering out of the holes from when the Slime Man impaled him multiple times.

4

He's slowly running out of consciousness but he has to keep wobbling. Shinda's weight isn't doing him any better but he'd rather die now than let the kid go.

3

The exit was starting to look closer but felt farther at the same time. He growled in defiance as he started wobbling faster towards it.

2

He sensed something behind him and sent another explosion, sending Slime Man away from the both of them.

1

No time, he made one last run towards the exit. It was enough for the kid but not for him. He could see Aizawa running towards them. He made a jump for it.

*KABOOOOOOOOOOM*

The entire warehouse has burst up in flames from the explosion of Bakugou's equipment. They made it out but…

"Ggghh." Shrapnel and parts are sticking out of his back when he protected Shinda from the explosions. He took a good look at the kid, even when he's barely conscious. The kid was alright, aside from the few holes at his arms that Slime Man inflicted at him. "Shinda… He'll be- He'll be fine. Shinda will be fine. Heh."

Everything else was barely audible. He heard his teacher call out his name but he ignored it. He could hear Slime Man's screams as he was burning slowly inside the warehouse. He took a look and was satisfied that no one was coming to help the villain. He finally gets to rest for once when he slumped over Shinda, his eyes still opened.

Katsuki Bakugou is dead…

"Bakugou? Bakugou?!" Aizawa tried to shake his student awake. He looked at the warehouse, he looked at Bakugou's unmoving state. "This is like Oboro all over again!" The explosion was a grim reminder of what happened that day. He will not fail another person.

"Burst?" He heard Shinda whisper quietly as Bakugou went limp on him. "Burst? I-I need to tell you something. I was… I was gonna tell him regardless. I was gonna tell him even if you-I'm sorry. Please, I'm sorry."

The scene is too painful for Aizawa to look at but he still has a job to do. His knew his student was dead and it may be best to get the kid treated. He'll mourn later. He walked up and took a hold of the kid's shoulder. "Shinda."

"He's not dead. I can't, not like this. He can't waste it on me. Not like this." Shinda had a blank look on his face but the tears falling out of his eyes betray him.

"He promised to make me stronger but all I ever did was act weak when it really matters. I don't want him to go. Let go of me!" The kid suddenly glowed as Aizawa backed away by reflex. The kid was furious but it wasn't directed to him. "This kid? Is this what his quirk is?"

Shinda looked at himself and closed his eyes. He doesn't understand what's happening but he felt an instinct to make contact with his hero. He reached his hand out to Bakugou and touched the dead hero-in-training's face. The contact also made Bakugou glow as his eyes slowly brighten back to life. All his injuries disappeared and the shrapnel on his back was shot out.

"W-What the-?" Bakugou look at his own hands in confusion. He swore he was dead. There was no way he could have survived that. Unless… His eyes immediately looked around erratically, looking for something. His eyes made contact with his teacher, who looked shock. His followed his eyes to look at Shinda, who was lying down, unmoving. He immediately grabbed the kid and checked for a pulse. Nothing.

"The kid's quirk finally showed itself." Realization hit him when Aizawa told him what happened.

Shinda Kinjitsu

Status: Dead

Quirk: Exchange

A quirk with a one-time use. The user exchanges their own life with a dead person they made a connection with. An anomaly quirk that has been discovered in the worst way possible.

"No." Bakugou's rage has quieted itself down to make way for grief as he held Shinda's lifeless body as the police and medics surround the area. Eraserhead could only look on at him. "This has been a bad idea from the start."

After the Internships…

It was a Saturday. Just after the internship. He was greeted with a usual smack to the head from his mother but he ignored her in favor of going straight to his bedroom. He heard his phone light up.

repentantRecluse[RR] has started bothering murderousIntentions[MI]

RR: I shall not question your bothersome handle.

MI: Fuck off

RR: In favor of being worried about you.

MI: I'm not in the mood, plant lady

RR: News spread around fast.

RR: I'm not expert but if you want anyone to talk to, know that Mineta, Yosetsu, and I are available.

MI: Not

MI: In

MI: The

MI: Mood

RR: As you wish, Katsuki.

MI: Actually, fuck it. Dagobah Municipal Beach. Meet me there.

RR: I see. Alright, you can expect me there in an hour.

repentantRecluse[RR] has stopped bothering murderousIntentions[MI]

Bakugou changed up into his casual clothes; a black tank top and black shorts and his favorite boots. He knew Ibara lived a bit far from here, and he could wait. He stopped a bit by the grocery store and bought some instant spicy ramen. His one and only comfort food. He found a bench to sit on and took a look at the sea, trying to get his mind off Shinda. Well, he's definitely failing to get his mind off the kid.

"It's good to see you." He turned around to see Ibara in her own casual clothes. A full-body dress and her own set of boots. She also wears some cloth thing that Bakugou doesn't know what to call over her dress with a pin to keep it together.

"The hell you wearing looking like you're going to some vegan party or something." He told her, making her giggle. "Always the charmer, aren't you, Katsuki?"

"Yeah, shut up." He snapped while drinking some cola he bought from the grocery. She sat down and they watched the waves of the ocean together. "I only asked you to come here to tell you how wrong you are."

"How wrong I am about what?" She faced him with a questioning look. He took another sip from his drink and pulled some juice from the grocery bag and gave it to her. She accepted it without hesitation but she's still waiting for his answer. "That I might not be a bad person. The thing is, I am a bad person."

"Wai- What made you think of that?"

"Ha, made you stutter for once," He smirked at her shocked look before continuing, refusing to make eye contact with her. "The kid died because of me. If I hadn't- maybe things would have turned out better if I was just a good person. I really am not. I can't believe I'm agreeing with Deku." He exploded the can of cola out of frustration but Ibara didn't flinch one bit. She had an unreadable look on her face when he said that.

"You told me about your description of what a weak person is. It looks like you're making yourself the example. You're NOT weak."

"If I was strong enough, the kid wouldn't have to kill himself to save me. Fuck, why are you annoying with those positive shit you keep telling me." Katsuki scoffed at her and she sent a slap his way. He grabbed at his cheek, discovering that she slaps harder than his mother.

"I will not allow you to drown in your sorrows." She grabbed him by the shoulders. "Katsuki, look at me. Just because you've failed doesn't mean you're a bad person."

"I was bodyguarding that kid in the first place because I AM a bad person. You went and interned for Kamui Woods and Aizawa sent me to protect that kid. He wanted to be a hero, and he got what it takes to do it even without a quirk. All he need was a little push! Me, being a shitty little assbag, fucked it up and got him killed. His death is on me!" He faced Ibara, visible frustration and grief on his face as tears make way.

"His death is on you, that may be the case, but the fact that you looked past the child's quirklessness and promised to help him achieve his dream. That doesn't make you a bad person! Yes, the Slime Man went after you and got him involved but that doesn't make you a bad person! Katsuki, how many times to I have to put it in your stupid head that you are not a bad person!" Ibara hugged her friend tightly while pouring her thoughts out to him. "Even if you were responsible, would you just stay down? It happened, but will you let it happen again?"

"N-No. Never again."

"Then that's enough for now. Please, Katsuki, do not let this take control of you. You've made your mistakes and the only way to deal with it is face it and move on. You're a good person." Ibara kept on hugging him tightly as he hesitantly returned the gesture. He rested his face on her shoulder and let his own tears flow.

"Thanks."

"If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'll be one call away." They hugged quietly as they watched the waves of the ocean while enjoying their snacks. From above the clouds, a kid looked on while smiling.

{- To Be Continued...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNND-

Bakugou: You son of a bitch.

Pssh, what the hell are you talking about?

Bakugou: You took your sweet ass time to make the other version of me suffer, didn't you?

What would you do if I said yes?

Bakugou: ...

Exactly. Anyway, like, subscribe, comment. PEACE!