Bakugo prides himself on being an observant person. It kind of comes with the territory of being a vigilante. He spends a little less time in costume these days and wanders around eyes peeled. There's a lot more activity around the mall. Cops patrol regularly, men slink in dark alleys hidden under trench coats and hoodies.
All these people waiting for him to show up because what he's doing is illegal. What he's doing is pissing people off.
It's really no wonder with his mind focused on all of this that he doesn't notice until half way through class when the guy in front of him turns around to ask him for help with a problem that his hair has dramatically changed.
He squints for a minute trying figure out when they got a new student when it dawns on him that the face and shape of the hair have stayed the same. Yes, that is in fact the same extra that says hello to him every morning without fail, now with bright red hair.
"Did you get number 5?"
"How the fuck did you not get number 5? It's easy."
He writes out the equation explaining each step and Kirishima looks up at him with a twinkle in his eyes saying, "Holy crap! That makes so much more sense now! Thank you so much!"
When he looks up from wiping his desk down at the end of class Kirishima is there waiting for him smiling that same stupid bright smile.
"So, I never see you at lunch." He has to look around to make sure that's actually directed at him.
"What of it?" He walks to his next period ignoring the way Kirishima trails behind him.
"You should come sit with us! I think you'd really like my friends!"
"Fuck off." He plops down into his second period seat without sparing Kirishima a glance as the warning bell rings.
"Oh c'mon! It'll be-,"
"Kirishima, I know I don't see you for two more periods. The tardy bell just rang. You can speak to Mr. Bakugo after class."
"Just think about it!" He waves as he exits the classroom. A few students in the back giggle and Bakugo hides his face in his backpack as he retrieves his notebook.
"Dude, please tell me you didn't really invite Bakugo to sit with us?" Kaminari asks lowering himself into the chair across from him.
"Yeah, why?" He says swallowing his bite of pb&j.
"Why? Dude, that guy is weird."
"Total school shooter vibes." Ashido chimes in.
"Oh c'mon. He can't be that bad." Sero says good natured.
"He glares and cusses at everyone."
"He obsessively cleans everything he touches before he leaves."
"He doesn't have any friends."
"I heard he was expelled from his last school for blowing up the science wing."
"Wah. No way. Guys! Stop spreading rumors! He's probably just shy… and a little OCD."
"What do you have a crush on him or something, Kiri?" Ashido bats her eyelashes at him as she leans forward.
"Wha- No! I just, I don't think we should write him off when we don't even know him!" His cheeks burn hot. "I don't understand what's so wrong with trying to be his friend."
Sero looks at him sympathetically. "Kirishima's right. I don't know how weird this guy really is but we should at least give him a chance."
The librarian doesn't even look up from his cat videos when Bakugo slams his bag down on the nearest desk. He used to glare at him but now they mutually ignore each other. He doesn't eat in the library, he doesn't talk to anyone, he reads his book for the allotted thirty minutes, cleans up after himself, and leaves with plenty of time to get to his next class. That's why his relationship with the librarian works. Neither ask anything of each other but peace and quiet.
But that changes Tuesday.
He hasn't even pulled his book out when a blur of red hair enters, head swiveling in each direction before landing on him with a, "Oh! There you are!"
He doesn't hold back the groan.
"I've been looking all over for you!"
The librarian looks up from his scarf blinking sleep from his eyes. "Kirishima, if you can't obey the rules of the library then you'll have to leave."
"Sorry, Mr. Aizawa!" he says over a shoulder. "All right! You heard the man let's go!"
"I'm not going anywhere." Kirishima's smile falters and Bakugo has to snort because was this really an unexpected outcome?
"But aren't you hungry?"
"No." His stomach growls. Traitor.
Kirishima smirks and Bakugo mentally commends him on holding back a laugh.
"I don't like cafeterias. They're too fucking loud." He looks back down to his book in hopes that this will be the end of it and he'll finally leave him the fuck alone.
"Can I join you here then?" Bakugo blinks at him a few times.
"I don't own the fucking library. Do whatever you want." Kirishima takes the seat next to him and spends the next twenty minutes tilting his chair back far enough to almost fall over and memorizing every crack and pock mark in the ceiling.
He doesn't come to the library every day for lunch after that, but when he does he brings his algebra homework and sneaks snacks under the table to bribe Bakugo for help.