A/N: Next chapter is up, and we are one step closer to solving the mystery. I'd like to think the general gist is fairly obvious but then I may just think that since I'm the one writing it. Either way, Katsuki's questions will be answered within the next few chapters and that will conclude the mystery arc. Next arc will be Katsuki trying to find a way to deal with what he's learned along with relationship building stuff. I did say it was Bakudeku after all.
Please feel free to leave comments, likes, and follows. I appreciate it a ton.
Love you guys!
XXX
Katsuki's point of view- Friday
It's hot as fuck outside but despite the heat, we're all lined up in two rows across the grass like a bunch of fucking smoked sausages, listening to Mr. Aizawa drone on about stupid shit while the sun is beating down on our backs. Normally, I welcome the heat since sweat bolsters my quirk but not today. As Shitty Hair stands opposite me, grinning confidently while we prepare to spar, I'm barely even looking at his ugly mug.
All I want is to focus on breaking through his hardening quirk in less time than it took during our last sparring session. That's the goal I strive for every time we fight, to blow my previous record away and knock Shitty Hair on his ass. Instead, I can't stop fucking staring at the goddamn nerd and his shitty pale face and how every attack and counter he makes is sloppy and slow. I know I said I was done worrying about him but how am I supposed to concentrate when whatever is wrong is clearly being paraded in front of my fucking face like this?
Then there's his partner for the exercise, that fucking Icy Hot bastard. He can clearly tell there is something wrong because his usual flurry of movements has been significantly slowed to match Deku's pace. If the nerd was my partner, I'd flat out refuse to fight him because for one, I don't pull my punches for anyone, and two I'm not about to explode his ass when he can barely even stand on his own two feet. Its fucking ridiculous that Mr. Aizawa isn't doing anything about this, and that fucking half n half is still fighting him at all.
"Bakubro? We gonna do this or what?" I vaguely recognize Shitty Hair is talking to me, though I still can't look away from the shitshow of a fight between those two idiots.
"Alright man, I'm coming at you, get ready!" Seriously, why the hell is no one stopping this? You know what? I'm going to go over there and put Icy Hot in his fucking place. He shouldn't-
THUD!
Pain radiates across my left cheek; my ear is ringing, and I stumble back before I reflexively move into a defensive stance. Black spots dance in front of my eyes and I waver slightly as I try to hold my ground. What in the actual fuck just happened!?
"Oh my god, dude! I thought you were paying attention!" Shitty Hair is panicking, neither of us are sure how to handle him sucker punching me in the fucking face. "I'm so sorry, that was so unmanly. I'm a horrible friend." He hung his head low in shame. I roll my eyes, shaking my head because now I have to make him feel better when I was the one who just got punched.
"It's my fucking fault for not paying attention. You don't need to apologize for shit." From the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Aizawa making his way to Deku and Icy Hot and I breathe a sigh of relief knowing he'll put a stop to it.
Shitty Hair immediately brightens, having been absolved of all guilt. "In that case, if I didn't knock you too hard, I'd say we can go for round two!" He raises both fists and bounces with energy from one foot to the other.
"Keep your damn pants on, I need to see something first." Choosing to ignore Shitty Hair, I wait expectantly for Mr. Aizawa to address Deku.
"Hmm? What are you looking at?" He turns just in time to watch Mr. Aizawa activate his quirk, effectively stopping Icy Hot and Deku in their tracks. As their quirks disperse, they both look around confused like the dumbasses they are until they finally realize they've garnered our teacher's attention.
"Is something wrong, Sir?" Izuku sounds worn out, and even from here I can see his body shaking from overexertion.
True to his style, Mr. Aizawa sighs heavily as he studies the two assholes in front of him. "Midoriya, you don't look like you're feeling well. Would you like to go back to the dorms and rest or visit Recovery Girl?"
Surprise crosses over Deku's face, meanwhile Icy Hot seems relieved someone came between them. I knew that the bastard knew something was up. His reaction fucking proves it. Just as quickly, Deku's demeanor morphs into something I've come to know well from him. He squares his shoulders, puffs out his chest and lifts his chin high, his focused eyes radiating a stubborn persistence he never had before coming to UA.
"I want to finish this training exercise. A real Hero can't just ignore the call of duty because he's feeling a little tired." He looks so determined and it really pisses me off because I know Mr. Aizawa won't argue with him about it. That half n half bastard realizes it at the same time I do, and sighs as he resumes his offensive position.
"Okay, just make sure you take a break if you need one." Deku eagerly shakes his head, relieved he won't have to stop his training. "I mean it, Midoriya. You have a penchant for pushing yourself too far. Show me you've learned at least something from all those bones you broke."
"Right! I won't let you down!" He looks back to Icy Hot, fully prepared to continue.
Immediately, I can feel my fury unfurling, burning through my veins like acid. This shit is not going to work for me. I see red as I blast from my place next to Shitty Hair, landing loudly right next to the useless nerd. He looks startled and I can see the muscles around his arms and neck tighten as he mentally prepares himself for what I'm sure he knows is coming.
I start things off right, screaming and letting mini explosions go off in my palms. Normally the feeling helps center me, but I'm so pissed off right now it does little more than egg me on. "What the fuck is wrong with you, you fucking shitty ass nerd! You clearly aren't okay so why the hell would you not go to the fucking nurse or some shit!?"
"I don't need you to tell me when I should see Recovery Girl, Kacchan. I can decide that for myself."
"Clearly you fucking can't because you're not going!"
"Bakugou, that's enough. He's a big boy." Mr. Aizawa is not amused but I don't give a fuck right now. This whole situation is infuriating.
"This is bullshit!" I turn to Mr. Aizawa, pissed that he isn't putting a stop to this. "Why the hell would you let him continue like this? He looks like death and even fucking Icy Hot is going easy on him."
"If Midoriya wants to continue training, then it's not your place to tell him no." Of fucking course that Icy Hot bastard would be sucking up to Deku and taking his side.
"Fuck off, you half n half bastard. This only concerns people who give a shit about the nerd's wellbeing."
"Are you saying you give a shit?" He smirks as he says this, that bastard.
"Doesn't matter. Deku, you should be taking care of yourself. How the hell are you going to be any kind of competition to me if you can't even do that much?"
"Butt out Kacchan. I don't need you telling me what to do. Go back to Kirishima and leave it alone."
Shitty Hair's voice squeaks out from the sidelines, "Yeah, Bakubro! I got some new moves I wanna try out. I'm sure Midoriya knows what he's doing so let's get back to it!"
"No, Deku is no better than a fucking five-year-old. He obviously needs to be told what to do."
Suddenly, a strong push throws me back and I blink and whip my head around in time to see a very pissed off Deku shoving me forcefully. His face is red, and he has tears in his eyes. "I am not like a five-year-old. I've worked really hard and come a long way and I don't need you treating me like a child." His voice is quivering as he talks but despite that he doesn't break eye contact.
"Oh boy, here we go."
"Can't we just go a few days without them going at each other's throats?"
"I'm guessing not."
"As class rep, I must insist you two stop this aggressive behavior at once!"
The extras are all sounding off, expecting me to charge at the nerd. Normally I would too, but not when he clearly isn't in any condition to fight. Mr. Aizawa must have expected me to go at him too because I soon found my explosions dying off and a thick scarf wrapping around my body. Deku seems to be in the same situation, though he's not struggling against it like I am.
"Alright problem children. That'll be detention for the both of you." He glares between us, the whites of his eyes streaked with red from the strain of his quirk. "You're also both done with this training session. Your partners can train with each other while you two watch from the side." He released us from his hold and nodded to the side of the field. I grumble, cursing under my breath as I stalk over there, Deku solemnly following behind me. Just fucking great.
XXX
Detention is a waste of my time; I have better shit to do than sit here twiddling my thumbs. Mr. Aizawa has already cocooned himself inside his sleeping bag, but not before passing down the dumbest assignment to us to be completed within the hour. We're supposed to write an essay describing the negative impact two heroes arguing in the middle of a villain attack can have on the safety of everyone involved.
Taking a quick glance to my right, I see the nerd is already furiously scribbling his answer down like the good boy he is. He still looks like shit though. In fact, I'd say he somehow looks worse than he did this morning. Jesus fucking Christ this is driving me crazy.
"Nerd." I whisper to get his attention. The continuous noise of his pencil scrawling across paper ceases as he looks over to me. He nervously looks between the sleeping bag on the floor and me, probably contemplating if he should respond. He always did think too much.
"Kacchan, I don't think we're supposed to talk right now." He finally whispers back, dragging his eyes back to his paper. The scribbling continues which is too bad because I'm not fucking done yet. It's time to get this shit out in the open.
"I know something's going on with you, Deku. I don't know what the hell it is, but you need to take better care of yourself." His head snaps up at that and he turns halfway in his seat, seemingly annoyed.
"Not this again." He's exasperated but I don't give two fucks at this point. "I am taking care of myself and I don't understand why you care so much."
"Bullshit! You were dead on your feet while trying to fight Icy Hot this morning. You were a hazard to yourself and everyone else."
"Why do you care? Seriously, Kacchan. You haven't bothered to care about my health before, so why now?"
Excellent fucking question, I'd like to know the answer to that myself. I scrub my hand through my hair in frustration, slouching down low in my seat. "I don't fucking care, Deku. Don't think this is something it isn't."
The last thing I need is for him to get all fucking emotional on me, thinking I'm trying to become best friends again or some shit. He seems to accept that, or maybe is too tired to argue anymore, and turns back in his seat with a huff. The scribbling commences, reminding me I have my own essay to write.
As soon as detention is over, Deku hands in his essay and rushes out the door. Now Mr. Aizawa and I seem to be in the middle of a stare down, one I'm not about to lose. He stares at me, eyes completely devoid of emotion, meanwhile I give him my best seething glare. I can feel my eyes drying, my eyelids reflexively trying to blink but I refuse to allow it. A minute passes and my eyes are so dry they feel like the fucking dessert in the middle of a year long drought. My glare has reduced to a concentrated squint, and I can feel my eyelids trying to sabotage me. For half a second, my vision goes dark before everything comes back into focus, my eyes feeling slightly better. Goddamn it.
Another drawn out sigh and Mr. Aizawa is looking at me with a cross between irritation and concern. "Not that I care but I couldn't help but notice you've been acting… unusual. As your teacher, I need to ask you if there's anything you want to talk about?"
"Tch, I don't have anything to say to you."
"Okay, well if you decide you do have something to say, you know where to find me. In the meantime, please try harder to stay out of trouble." Actually, there is something I need to ask him about, since I'm now more determined than ever to get to the bottom of this.
"Whatever. Since we're both here, I want permission to go home tonight. For the whole weekend." He narrows his eyes at me, like he's going to refuse my request, but he doesn't.
"Fine, just stay out of trouble, problem child." He walks to the door and opens it for me, and I nod as I stalk out to the hallway.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and when I turn the screen on, I'm met with another string of messages from the extras. I'm certain it's all garbage but I'll read through it anyway.
RośeAllDay: OMGOMGOMG
RośeAllDay: It's working guys!
RośeAllDay: Iida asked Uraraka if she wanted to study with him and she said yes!
MeatisManly: That's not how I remember it going
PracticallyTarzan: Yeah, pretty sure she started stuttering
PracticallyTarzan: And YOU agreed for her
ElectricBoogaloo: Yup
MeatisManly: Yup
RośeAllDay: Do I need to remind you how our relationship started
RośeAllDay: BaBe?
ElectricBoogaloo: Ha! I love this story
PracticallyTarzan: We don't need to get into this
RośeAllDay: You asked me out
PracticallyTarzan: Or not…
RośeAllDay: But I only saw you as a friend and said no
MeatisManly: You were so bummed bro
ElectricBoogaloo: Would have been cute if it wasn't so sad
RośeAllDay: Exactly. But that didn't stop you, did it?
RośeAllDay: You continued to ask me out every day for two months until I broke down and said yes
RośeAllDay: Moral of the story…
RośeAllDay: 50 no's and 1 yes is still a yes!
ElectricBoogaloo: She has a point dude
MeatisManly: Your persistence was actually a little creepy lol
PracticallyTarzan: Yeah well
PracticallyTarzan: We've been together for almost a year now, so it was obviously worth the effort
PracticallyTarzan: And since Uraraka never actually said no, your story has some holes
RośeAllDay: If she shows up that's the same thing as a yes
BlastyMcBlastFace: YOU LOSERS NEED TO STOP BLOWING UP MY PHONE
RośeAllDay: Anyway
BlastyMcBlastFace: DON'T IGNORE ME PINKY
RośeAllDay: I think it's time to implement phase II
ElectricBoogaloo: Oh what's phase II?!
RośeAllDay: Simple
RośeAllDay: We invite them both to a group outing
RośeAllDay: And cancel once they are both at the venue
ElectricBoogaloo: Then we'll spy on them to see how it goes!
RośeAllDay: That wasn't part of the plan
RośeAllDay: But I like the way you think!
RośeAllDay: Babe! We need to go shopping so we can buy some sleuthing gear
PracticallyTarzan: You just had to mention spying didn't you Kaminari?
MeatisManly: Bakubro, you wanna come with us?
BlastyMcBlastFace: FUCK NO
BlastyMcBlastFace: I HAVE OTHER SHIT TO DO ANYWAY
RośeAllDay: Oh? Like what?
BlastyMcBlastFace: NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS PINKY