Chapter 12: New Beginning

Introduction

V/O (Hikari): HAHAHHAHAHAH

V/O (Katsuki [cheeks red]): Stop laughing! It isn't funny!

V/O (Hikari): I can't believe that happened…and you just said yes and didn't deny it! AHAHA

V/O (Katsuki [popping off explosions]): SHUT UP! THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE I COULD DO AT THAT POINT!

V/O (Hikari): Oh man! Between learning something new about my brother, learning something new about you, and that one hysterical, yet also very sad moment…I don't think I'll ever forget this night!

V/O (Katsuki): Whatever, crybaby! Let's just get this over with so I can go to bed…this day sucks and it needs to be over, NOW!

V/O (Hikari): Okay, okay! We can be done now. Ready?

V/O (Katsuki and Hikari): Plus Ultra!

"KATSUKI!" A female voice roared, making Hikari freeze up in the bag, hands over her mouth to keep from making a sound. Katsuki swallowed and stood his ground as the female approached him. She had short, spikey blonde hair and red eyes. She was wearing designer clothing, yet professional like she just came from work. Anyone looking could tell right away that this was Katsuki's mother–or older sister if one didn't know Katsuki's family–the resemblance was uncanny. By the tone and authority in her voice, and if you know Katsuki's family, she was definitely the mother: Mitsuki Bakugou.

Mitsuki stopped right in front of him, eyes blazing right into his own. They were both staring each other down as if they were in a challenge–the first to break eye contact would be the loser. Aizawa followed in silence. He only wanted to check in on Bakugou. But Mitsuki seemed entirely surprised that her son was even stopping at home tonight and, after hearing back from her husband, she insisted on coming to campus to wait for Katsuki to return. He would have preferred to handle this himself, but this might just prove more effective for now. Something was definitely up, especially if Bakugou's own mother felt it was important enough to come meet her son on campus this time of night. Besides, even if he told her not to come he had a feeling she was just as stubborn as her son and would come anyway.

"Why are you here, ya old hag?" This comment got Katsuki a swift hit to the back of the head.

"Don't call me that, ya brat! I'm here because your teacher called me, asking me if everything was okay because YOU didn't come back when you said you were going to!"

"I'm a bit late, so what?"

"What do you mean "so what"!? This isn't like you're a few minutes late, it's well over an hour! Where the hell were you?"

"I went out to get groceries and stopped at home to pick up a few of my things…"

Mitsuki hummed. She straightened up, putting her hand on her hip.

"You stopped at home…"

"Yeah…"

Mitsuki stared at Katsuki for a beat, then smacked him again.

"Wrong answer, Katsuki! Your father was home and said he didn't see you at all!"

"Stop hitting me, ya hag! And stop houndin' me! The old man was–"

"Oh, don't you say he was sleeping! He was working overtime at home! So, let's try this again: where the hell were you!? And why are you going around lying about it!? I swear…"

Katsuki froze up, still standing his ground and staring his mother down. She caught him in a lie. He only ever outright lied to her once when he was eight and he paid hell for it. Now she stood before him, arms crossed demanding he start talking–disappointment in her crimson eyes. His hands felt shaky, which he clenched hard to get to stop. He messed up. Never did it cross his mind that Aizawa would call his parents to see if he had made it there…but it was obvious this was something that would happen. He was late coming back to campus, of course Aizawa would call the place he said he'd be to check in on him, especially after running out of class in tears earlier today.

The thought crossed his mind that maybe this was the time to just let everything out of the back, figuratively and literally. He could keep lying, but there was no guarantee he was getting out of this without them figuring it out themselves. But also, lying was the part that got an entire village of people killed. He should have gone to them when he first found her, then maybe things would have been different. Maybe people wouldn't be dead because of him. Maybe Hikari's family wouldn't be dead because of him. The reality was he decided to keep Hikari a secret. He decided to avoid telling the teachers about her. Everyone was dead because he decided to make the wrong choice. Everything about this situation was messed up but what was the most messed up was that he decided these things because he was too scared stubborn to say anything to anyone in the first place.

/What the hell's wrong with me! I've never screwed up this bad before…/

"Katsuki…" His name snapped him out of his thoughts and made him realize that his face was wet, his eyes hurt and everything was blurry.

/The fuck!? Why am I crying!?.../

"Shut up, I'm fine," Katsuki's voice cracked, as he rubbed his eyes dry.

Mitsuki's expression softened. She put her hand on his head, firm and comforting–enough so to stop him from wanting to knock her hand away.

"I can tell something's eating at you…what's going on?"

Katsuki immediately broke eye contact–losing this battle with his mother. He felt the lump in his throat get bigger and he couldn't stop his lips from quivering. His emotions were taking over, full force and unforgiving. His body was reacting to it faster than his mind could comprehend it. The worst part was he had no idea why he felt this bad. Sure he regretted his choices and people were dead because of those choices. He wouldn't really forgive himself over it. This would push him to try and atone for it and that motivation would help him get through it. But right now? He wanted to just curl up in a ball and cry– do nothing and give up. This wasn't him. Katsuki never gave up and certainly never just wanted to cry. This was a feeling he hadn't had since he was five, when his quirk manifested. He got too carried away at home playing hero and couldn't get the explosions to stop. He was terrified and crying as explosion after explosion came from his palms. His mother jumped into it to embrace him, telling him over and over it was okay until he calmed down and it stopped. She got hurt because of him and for over a week he locked himself in his room. He was probably losing it. It took him making one wrong move and a bunch of dead villagers to break him. This is what broken feels like. Hikari probably felt like this. He needed to come clean before his mind destroyed itself.

"Dammit…fine…look, I met someone four days ago in Manami City. Kaminari sent me the wrong address so I was stuck there until the train came back. That person was running away from villains and needed help so I helped. Their quirk shares feelings and they can't help it because they don't have control of their quirk… I've had to feel things I didn't even know were feelings…it was frustrating but they needed help and I couldn't abandon them…I couldn't figure out how to help without making things worse…It's all my fault that things went this bad…and I know what I should have done but I couldn't bring myself to do it…I don't want them to continue to suffer…I don't want them to go through that all over again…and–"

"Katsuki, slow down…You aren't making any sense. Who is it?"

"...what?"

"Name. Who was this person you were trying to help…"

Katsuki paused. This was the moment to reveal he had Hikari. He just needed to say her name and this secret, suffocating him at this point, would be off his chest.

Katsuki opened his mouth but nothing came out. Why couldn't he say her name? He needed to but some unknown force was keeping him from saying it. He refused to believe he was scared to say he had her. There's no way.

Mitsuki and Aizawa both watched Katsuki struggle to tell them who. From his behavior, his explanation, as well as how emotional he was being, and the timing of events that happened these last few days, Aizawa came up with a theory.

"Bakugou. Is the person you met Hiroyuki Nozomi?"

"Yeah!" Bakugou jumped on the response before realizing Aizawa did not say Hikari. He stood there blank faced and frozen. Hikari had a similar expression going in the bag, just as shocked and surprised.

"Wait…how...what?"

"It was a stretch…but you mentioned that the person you met needed help but you wouldn't give us a name, nor did you come talk to any of us about it. Figured it meant you'd be embarrassed about it and that it was someone we may recognize. Just so happens that the day after the news aired about the Tomiya Village Massacre, you ran out of class in tears and disappeared for quite a while. It makes sense if it was Nozomi, especially since he got hurt in that tragedy and it sounds like who you were helping are…close. So I made an educated guess."

Hikari held her mouth tighter, holding back from laughing, or maybe crying? She didn't know how she was feeling right now or which feeling she wanted more.

Katsuki was still dumbstruck and didn't know whether to correct him or just let it go. His pride really wanted to correct him but his emotions were telling him to let it go. He looked over at his mother. Mitsuki was just standing there, a sympathetic look on her face. His mother did this rarely and it never ceased to piss him off. But the shock sort of kept him from telling her to stop looking at him like he was thin glass.

The nausea started to spin and swirl in his chest.. He dug a grave for himself and frankly, he really just wanted to crawl into it right now. His teacher, and even his mother, now believed he had a relationship with Hikari's dead brother and he wasn't doing anything to stop them from believing that.

"I'm going to assume you went to the hospital to visit tonight…am I wrong?"

Katsuki took a second to actually understand what was being asked.

"...no. I did go see him at the hospital tonight. Though he died when I was there…"

Katsuki looked up in time to see both his mother and Aizawa's facial expressions change to a mix of horror and pity.

"Oh, Katsuki…"

"It's fine! I'm fine! His stupid freakin' quirk was probably messing with me anyway…I don't even feel all that upset over him…just exhausted from the turn of events…" Katsuki said, hoping it would speed up the interrogation and prevent him from confirming more false information. Just then, Katsuki felt something– rather, he felt something leave him. He didn't feel as emotional anymore and it was in that moment he realized he was definitely just affected by a quirk. It felt like Hikari's but it definitely wasn't. Which could only mean…

Hiroyuki also had a quirk.

Katsuki remembered feeling off when he looked directly at Hiroyuki when they were at the hospital. He didn't think much about it, afterall, being hit with Hikari's quirk was starting to feel normal to him. But as he thought back to the events of the day, things started to piece together. It started with not immediately going back to the dorms after the hospital. If he was thinking straight, he'd have taken her right back to the dorms, maybe grabbing take out for the train ride. But, he wanted to keep her out longer and actually convinced himself that it was okay to stay and eat out. Then the walk back to the dorms was pleasant, but it wasn't like it should have been. Her brother just died and her family was dead. Her mood brightened when they talked about her quirk upon leaving the fast food joint, so that's how the conversation started on their walk back. He wanted her to stay happy, he couldn't refute that. But he actually enjoyed the conversation with her and didn't want it to stop. And then it derailed into a deeper conversation about themselves, something he really just doesn't do with anyone. Then, when he was called out on lying, his mind began spiraling. He couldn't stop thinking about how it was his fault Hikari lost her family, he felt regret, far greater than he had before. All together, Hiroyuki's quirk must have heightened any emotion he had to the point he was acting on them.

/His quirk is just as annoying as hers!.../

Mitsuki sighed and ruffled his hair. "Brat, it really isn't something to be all embarrassed about. And certainly nothing to be going around lying about…"

"Tch…"

"You can check in with Recovery Girl in the morning if you're still feeling the effects of his quirk. Hopefully it runs its course quickly."

"Yeah…" Katsuki muttered.

"Thank you for always looking out for my bratty son. I know it isn't easy but please continue to guide him to being a proper hero," Mitsuki thanked Aizawa.

"And you," she said, turning to face Katsuki one last time, "stop lying and causing others trouble." She wacked him on the back of the head, for good measure.

"Hit me again, old hag, and I'll…"

"And you'll what?" She glared at him. Enough so that he didn't reply. She scoffed.

"Thought so. Get some rest and if you need anything, just call," Mitsuki said, before heading off campus.

Katsuki watched her leave, then turned to head back toward the dorm. He gave Aizawa a look that really just resembled a whipped dog. Like, how dare you call her? It was met with an apathetic, you-left-me-no-choice-and-you-are-in-no-position-to-be-upset-over-it-either look. After this non-verbal exchange they parted ways, heading into the dorm. Katsuki knew in the back of his head that his mother coming was her own decision, not Aizawa's. He knew his teacher well enough that he'd have preferred dealing with him himself, but also knew his mother was ripshit about him lying to an adult at school, and basically being missing for hours. He had been kidnapped, almost died, and other things that would worry anyone's parents. The kidnapping really sparked something in her. It wasn't really much, but his mother changed just a little bit since the kidnapping. Check in texts or calls more frequently, especially when something large was happening. It really wasn't surprising when she found out no one knew where he was, she was right on coming to the school to make sure he was okay. He worried her, unintentionally. It stung.

Before going to his own room, he stopped at Kaminari's room on the third floor.

"Bakugou? What's up?" he yawned.

"You dropped your ID...I found it on the ground outside..." He handed Kaminari's ID to him.

"I was wondering where it was...thank..." Kaminari started to say but Bakugou was already making his way back to the elevator.

/What an idiot.../

Katsuki finally made it back to his room. He unzipped the bag and immediately went and threw himself onto the couch. He wanted to scream and blow the place up. None of those things would do any good so he just tried to will himself to sleep.

Hikari climbed out, rubbing her neck that was now sore from all the turbulence from Katsuki dragging her in the bag. She looked over at Katsuki.

"So…you…and my brother…in a relationship…what the hell!?" Hikari started laughing, not able to keep herself together anymore.

"Shut. Up!" Katsuki yelled into the pillow he was squeezing his face into. The tips of his ears were burning. Hikari laughed harder.

"Oh my god, I'm gonna hurl. I can't stop thinking about you dating my brother. He wouldn't survive a day with you!"

"Knock it off! It ain't funny! I really thought Aizawa was going to say your name, not his!" Katsuki was shaking, purely in rage but trying to not let his emotions get to him– they had already caused a great deal of damage and he wasn't sure if he could take another blow.

"And yet you didn't correct him. You just went with it! I'm so happy my brother found someone even if he's an aggressive hot head!" Hikari continued, still laughing.

Screw it. He's gonna let his emotions take control, even if it takes him out. Least he goes down on his terms. Katsuki sat up, pillow in hand ready to chuck it at her. His glare had the intensity of a lion, while his entire expression resembled glass about to shatter– an embarrassed look. He had really only shown this type of vulnerability to Midoriya. This only lasted a second. He calmed down and looked confused as she was now crying, not laughing. Large tears falling to the ground as she cried and hiccupped.

"Hi-chan…"

Katsuki looked away from her, putting the pillow down. It hurt looking at her. He hated it. He could feel every cry down to his bones. They couldn't afford to get stuck here.

"...want to give them a proper send off?" Katsuki mumbled, getting up and walking over to his closet.

"...how?" Hikari watched Katsuki. He grabbed a box from the top shelf of the closet, and dug in it, putting out a tealight candle.

"It's not an incense, but close enough…we can do this on the balcony…"

Hikari rubbed her eyes dry.

"Yeah…let's do that."

The two went out to the balcony, Hikari took a seat on the ground along the wall. Katsuki put himself right next to her. He placed the candle in front of them and used sparks from his palm to light the candle. He had gotten much more control of his quirk in the last year and was able to make even smaller sparks, as to not destroy things like wood or candles, but ignite them instead.

As she stared at the smoke rising from the flame, she felt her heart ache. The reality that she would never be able to talk to or see her family again finally began to set in, not just Hiroyuki, not just her parents, but everyone. Granny Fuyu who would always give her candy whether parents weren't looking. Mr. Daimu who would lecture her to stand up taller or she would regret it. The nice couple who lived on the corner, Mr. and , who would give her family fresh fish from their daily catch and in exchange Hikari's family would give them fresh vegetables they grew in their backyard. Rin and Saya who were her best friends at school and Makoto, who claimed he wasn't friends with them but would constantly be hanging out with them anyway. Her teachers. Everyone.

Katsuki scrolled through his phone before finding what he was looking for. He propped his phone up behind the candle. It showed a very old picture of Hikari with a large group of people, including her brother and parents. The news article was about some annual event that took place in Tomiya Village. Hikari's eyes were glass-like for a brief moment.

"There weren't any news articles with just your family without it being about you getting kidnapped…also knowing you, you'd want to send off the rest of them anyway…" Katsuki muttered.

She gave a sad smile before biting her lip to keep from crying, though futile. The tears formed in large beads.

The two watched as the smoke rose into the night sky. It was a clear night, so all the stars were visible and the waxing crescent moon shone bright. The chilly wind would come in and out making the smoke swirl and wave as it ascended.

Hikari put her hands together and closed her eyes, large drops of tears hitting the ground. She opened them and looked right at the picture.

"Mom…I know you rejected my dreams of being a hero because you wanted to protect me...Hi-chan told me that you regretted it after I was taken…you lied to me about my quirk…but I don't blame you for wanting me to be safe. You only wanted what was best for me. Thank you for caring about me…" Hikari's voice wavered a bit. She took in a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

Katsuki looked over at Hikari, a bit surprised she was talking out loud. He furrowed his brow.

"Dad...thank you for indulging me. Even though you knew Mom didn't want me to be a hero, you would encourage me anyway, in secret of course. Mom always got angry with you when she caught you. You'd always play it off like you had no idea what you did…thank you for supporting my dreams…" She wiped the oncoming tears.

"Hi-chan, I'm glad I was able to see you for the last time. You've changed so much from how I remembered. You used to try and be brave for me, but I could always tell you were scared. You were just really brave tonight. Thank you for giving me hope…" Her sad smile turned into a more solemn expression as more tears escaped.

"Granny Fuyu…Mr. Daimu, Mr. and Mrs. Takami, Rin, Fuyu, Makoto, Sensei…everyone. I'm so sorry…I'm sorry I got captured. I'm sorry I got you killed…" Hikari's voice cracked.

Katsuki turned to look up at the smoke. He couldn't look at her anymore. His chest felt tight watching her and it only grew worse. It was irritating to him and he started to wonder, misguidedly, if her quirk could work without eye contact, like the emotions were so much it just emanated from her. He clicked his tongue before biting his lip.

"Everyone...I'm sorry I couldn't save you... It hurts so much... I'll never forgive myself…but, I'm not gonna give up. I'm going to be a hero and take down Despair so that no one else has to go through this. I'm going to be the hero that gives others hope when all seems lost and makes them smile…Despair will pay…I swear it!"

Katsuki looked back at her. She looked determined, like every word she just said wasn't a lie. She meant it. She was going to take Despair down. He watched her expression calm down and a smile appear. A sad one, but a smile.

"Please watch over me okay?" Hikari looked up at the smoke as it rose into the night sky. She sat there, silently watching, before turning to Katsuki.

"Katsuki...I'll probably keep falling down...but I'll get back up. I'm not going to lose…" The wind came through, pushing her hair all around. Her demeanor was calm and confident. Her eyes reflected the light from the moon and was brimming with determination to succeed and move forward.

"That's right. I won't let you lose," Katsuki replied before turning up to the sky. Without realizing it, he was smiling. Hikari turned her attention to the sky.

The two of them sat there, just watching the smoke dance into the sky. Even though they didn't know what the future held, something about that moment made it seem like everything would be okay and things would work out.

"Let's go," Katsuki said after a while. It was getting too cold to be on the balcony at night and who knew if Shoji or Kirishima would come out on their own balcony and see them?

"Okay!" Hikari made her way inside. A large gust of wind hit Katsuki as he turned toward the door. He looked up and saw clouds beginning to form. Katsuki's smile slowly shifted into a frown.